The Washington times., 1929-07-26
G[|OCH RAPS
At )())R0F
CHANCE
RY Bob Thayer

Uharley GOOcn, q SuustltutC
lnfielder, now seems destined
to play an important part In
the rebuilding program Of the
1929 Washington Griffmen.
The Little Rock rookie. who has
connected safely In his last several
appearances az pinch hitter. -
being held In reserve as utility man
right now and would be pressed into
service Immediately should nlisfOr.
tune befall any Washington infielder
other than First Baseman Joe Judge.
Gooch started the current year as
an understudy for Judge. He since
has been switched to his normal posi-
fion, the left side Of the diamond. and
II Ia In this capacity that he II now
being carried.
Since First Baseman Harley Boss,
q former Little Rock associate, re-
Joined the Griffmen several weeks
ago, G0och has been allowed to shift
to his original calling OF third sacker
and sh0rtstop and would be ready to
fit into either job In case OF emer-
gency.
Gooch Is the only man available
for general infield utility at present.
With Ossie Biuege inactive for the
remainder OF the season and Stuffy
Stewart, optioned Birmingham in
fielder, reported to be on crutches, 1t
IL up to the Southern Association
graduate to deliver il called upon.
The Little Rock rookie has
many points In his favor while
he II ) right hand hitter who
last season cracked the agate
at .36O clip in the Southern
Association while playing .
bang.up defensive game.
For time this year It seemed
that he would be allowed to drift
back to the minors without being
afforded an opportunity to cash in.
on that right hand WaIlop, I'M
pressed by his gameness, however,
Manager walter Johnson decided to
give Gooch q fling at the left side
Of the field and he proceeded ac.
eOrdingly.
Though the Youngster' has. not
shown officially at shOrtstop or third.
base he has been sent to the tee
in several pinch batting capacities
since deserting the role OF under
study to Joe Judge and has more
than made good.
Charley lines out his safeties in
the good Old-fashioned manner,
using healthy and well timed
swing at the plate while getting
results. Being right hand hitter
IN an environment tcp-heavy with
left hand swinsers doesn't handicap
him any.
While he intends sticking to his
present lineup Manager Walter
johnson openly confesSes that
Gooch probably will be given a
regular shot at q position suited
60 his talents before the season has
grown much older.
Charley has made the most
Of every opportunity given
him. Walter insisted today,
and It's only fair that he gets
his chance to come through.
He's been looking good since
shifting to the left side OF the dia.
mond and I'd be willing to gamble
on him In any kind OF an euaerg-
ency. His right hand sock wouldn't
hurt Us q bit if he were entered in
the lineup and l honestly believe
that he'd hold his own anywhere
we placed himr
Without saying ~ much Walter
intimated that Gooch, emergency or
not. was ripe for a trial at 4 reglI.
lar position and would be allowed
- prove as much in the near
future.
We could use hitter like
CHARLEY he remarked while deal.
lng with this subject. "and YOU can
bet your life that Tn give him his
Chance to see what he can do.
I've got lots Of faith in Gooch
since he volunteered to switch to
first base this spring. There's not
many players who would offer to
change to = new job as he did and
he certainly won't be overlooked
after showing that spirit"
Realizing thft his opportunity in
Just around the corner tSooch il
aaying little while practieing in
his old environment. And IL ap.
pearances mean anything. he NAV
DO shooting for a regular big
league job in short orderl