The Washington times., 1929-03-20
fBEN FED UP
ON BACK
!. SEAT
tss
~
BY Times staqf Correspondent

fc BY Times staff Correspondent
TAMPA, Fla, March 90
I. Catcher Benny Tate, baseball s
step-child, still is waiting
and hoping. Serving alter
nately as a pinch hitter and
bench warmer during his five
year association with the
Washington Griffmen, Benny
IDS entering his sixth season
'determinedly.
"I reported late this year," he adj
rats, ''but l made it point to show
UP in good condition. I'm out to
make good at my job and get more
work"
= Tate's career with the Grlffmen
IS has been something of tragedy.
Hitting over 300 three times and
always dangerous in a pinch, he,
nevertheless, has repeatedly been
overshadowed by Muddy Ruel,
one of baseball's greatest backstops.
Manager Walter Johnson, Incl
- dentally. has promised Tate his
long desired opportunity.
e 81 st like the boys spirit" he ad-
nnits, land I'M going to see that
he gets every chance to make good
this season." Already fate seems
to be playing a long delayed deb:
to the West Frankfort, ILL.,, boy.
Before reporting here Tate's con-
! nections with the Washington club
were uncertain.
- "Its q tough break for any
ambitious player to play second
fiddle always" Benny reasoned
recently. That's been my mis-
fortune.
'ssos: I'm not complaining, understand,
: because Muddy has been given
first call. Ruel has few superiors,
II any, but / certainly can't be
blamed for seeking an opportunity.
''If I'm tried and found wanting,
he maintains, '''youll never hear
sssuuawk. / can accept a reversal
EAs gracefully as the next guy.
ss'"On the other hand, though, I'm
not getting any younger and unless
I get going during the next couple
of years my outlook won't be so
: good. !"
+. Tate Joined the Washington Club
! in 1924 and quickly impressed as
clouter. But with Ruel serving as
ian iron man the youngster was
used principally as a pinch-hitter.
He made good with surprising con-
sistency.
Then a mere boy he had been
procured from Memphis, of the
Southern Association, and thereby
gained his only break since entering
i nrofcSSional ranks,
"lIl admit" he processes,
''that was fortunate i'm con-
! Meeting at that time. When
+. brought to Washington was
I serving as an understudy to
Pete Lapan, who also had a
II trial with the Griffs. Maybe
fate intended me to be second
string catcher-I don't know!
Anyhow I got started with the
Washington club during its first
pennant winning season and crashed
into the world series. My ex-
perience there was unusual-during
several turns as a pinch hitter l
! drew walks-never being charged
with time at bat.
"Well, I've never bettered myself
since. I sometimes wonder 4
wouldn't have Jared better had I
remained in the minors another
year or so, but don't let that
4. sour me now.
"I've always tried to keep my
. head up and await a chance. Sew
/: eraI times I've been mighty dis
/ ccuraged when what seemed a
break proved to be onlysa rainbow >
I In 1928, for instance, thought
my opportunity had arrived l
. snapped into spring training earn.
estly and worked the opening game
L against Boston, but eventually 2uel
/ replaced me and again was sent
to the bench. .
at didn't give up though"
Tate declares. mo one ever can
call me a gutter. i hustled all
the more to prepare myself in
the event RuePs arm, doubtful
mt the time, would make it neces-
sary for me to re.enter the line
up regularly.
when relief was needed, though,
Eddie kenna was purchased from
Minneapolis and for time alter
mated with Muddy behind the bat.
This year I've made up my mind.
Primarily intend making good. II
/. / don't / hope I'll be given chance
to show elsewhere.
Bemy's case has aroused much
sympathy among his teammates.
Whereas some critics describe him
as a purely mechanical catcher, vet
!, eran Griffmen observe differently.
One of his strongest champions is
"Sad Sam Jones. whose baseball
wisdom certainly deserves respect.
Don't let anybody tell you
Tate isn't smart" jones in
structs. His willingness to
take blame for someone eISe's
mistakes, more than anything
else, has created the impression
that he isn't a thinking back
stop.
"I'vel repeatedly seen Tate take
the blame for the other fellows
error. It's HIS nature to be good
f0llow and to sacrifice his interests
Tor others.
Personally. though. and others
share my opinion, l find Benny an
excellent target AMI hustler who s
always on top of every play. Given
/. a real chance | believe he wouli
surprise everybody, save those who
already are acquainted with his
ability"