The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-12-07
STAND. I
POLICY IS
LIKELY

II an advantageous deal pre-
sents itself at the major league
meetings in New York next week
President Clark C. Griffith and
Manager Walter johnson, Of the
Washington Club, will talk bust
ness. Otherwise an enforced
stand-pat policy will be observed.
Furthermore, Griffith intimates,
the likelihood of such tranSac-
ton is slim indeed. Which means,
barring the unforeseen, that Wash
ington's big league patrons can
not expect too much for 1880.
The team which represented
Washington this past season was
not so good The fact that it put
on a burst of speed to finish IN
fifth place doesn't mean a thing.
They don't pay off on fifth place
and, after all, the pay-off is the
only thing that counts.
walter and I will both be on
hand for the big doings next Tues
day, Wednesday and Thursday"
Griffith admitted today, and we
will naturally be out to protect
our interests. If we can swing a
deal, well and good. Otherwise
it will be up to us to develop
what we've got"
Pressed further, baSebalPs
old fox, admitted that he
could spare first-class
catcher in an emergency, pos
sibIy Muddy Ruel, and might
also part with other talent
IF presented with the neceS-
gary inducement.
"I'm naturally in the market
for a pitcher or So" he confessed.
and also another outfielder. But
we're not going to cripple our
selves to land either"
Unless Griffith talks shop at
the big league confab. however,
it is difficult to see how he
figures to put his team in the
money another year. Last years
club proved conclusively that it
was not Of championship caliber.
Washingtonians. while tolerant,
are rather impatient in their de-
mand for results, and since they
pay their good money for action,
their stand is well justified.
General opinion has it that
several players of the 1929 order
could well be spared for the mate
rial most needed and unless some
trade is brought about to better
the present run of things, con-
siderable complaint will probably
be heard.
Griffith's claim is that he has
put in several bids for players
placed on the waiver market and
that the Washington club also
intends developing talent now in
port.
ConfeSsing that last seasons
crop Of pitchers was not so good,
he reasons in this manner:
"HadIey ought to develop
into one Of baSesball's best
this coming year. He has
had his bumps and figures to
shake them off"
"Liska's underhand stuff should
also go over in big way while
Lloyd Brown promises to develop
into a fine Southpaw. Bobby
Burke also may break out into
real greatness any day while
Carlos Moore. the Birmingham
rookie, Is shaping up as another
Marberry.
Add these boys to men like
Fred Marberry, Sam Jones, Gar
land Braxton and the rest and
its reasonable to presume that our
mound department will be pretty
well protected"
Griffith insists that in Benny
Tate, Roy Spencer and Muddy
Ruel he has three first-string
catcherS who could show to better
advantage if worked regularly
and admits candidly that if a
trade can be worked up one of
them may be shipped.
Since Ruel had little chance
to work last year it is hoped that
he will get more opportunity in
1880, here or elsewhere. Muddy
still has several years of good
baseball in his system and de-
serves a better fate.
The infieId, Griffith init
mates, will likely shape up
As II finished during the past
season while the OutfieId, IN
less some change is effected,
may also go unchanged.
'I'm still cunning for a sea-
eoned righthand hitting pasture
guardian" WaShington's prexy
stated this morning, but if I
can't do business elsewhere West,
Barnes and Loepp will be our
bets.
"Loepp, I figure, should shape
I'D as an alternate for West.
He hits lefthanded pitching well
and is also said to be good fly
hawk. Then, of course, there's
the chance that Barnes may come
back and outStep them BOTH"
To the optimiStically inclined
these views are submitted here
with. But those who believe that
ball players. and not philosophy.
Is ESSENTIAL TO the. success of the
1922 Griffmen fan hardly be
hlameA 60.