Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-26
WASHINGTON BEST
FIXED OF ANY CLUB
All Other American League
Teams on Lookout for
Capable Backstops.
by John b. KELLER.

answer American League CIuDS
particularly are on the lookout
for worthwhile receivers, all ex-
cept Washington. 1t seems to
have the edge on it's rivals so far
as the possession of good catching
material is concerned. No other
outfit can show such an array OF
receivers like that including Roy
Spencer, Herold Ruel and Bill
Hargrave, veterans all.
And backing this trio the Nationals
already have as reserve Pat Charity
retained all last season as a regular
player instead of a coach. and will look
over at the Biloxi training camp next
Spring Ed Kenna, bought from Chat
tanooga, and Cliff Bolton, recalled from
the same Southern Association club.
Although President Clark Griffith and
Managers Walter johnson are doing
little in the way of base ball business
right now and not even talking much
about the game they do not mind ad-
hitting the Washington catching de-
partment's outlook Is much brighter
than that of other clubs. Past per-
formanceS seem to warrant the opti-
Ynism of the big chief and the pilot.
He's one-Man staff.
Spencer. for instance. is about an
entire catching staff in himself judged
by his work during the past campaign
The receiver picked up early in 1923
did not have much to do in his first year
with the Nationals, but this year he
missed few games behind the bat.
Elevated to the first-string receiver
ship shortly after the campaign got
under way. Roy caught game after
game and caught brilliantly.
Perhaps his presence back of the
batter had as much as anything else
to do with the improvement OF several
young members of the Washington
pitching staff. And certainly Spencer
got a deal out of the veteran hurlers
Then, too, Roy threw remarkably well
the greater part of the way. Not until
he hurt his right arm in a collision al
the plate late IN the season did the OPP
position manage to do much baSe-steal-
ing at his expense and then the pilfer-
ing did not long continue.
As a batter Spencer did not amass
an impressive average as averages FOL
stickwork go. But Roy had the happy
knack of making most OF his hits
count. He socked often when mates
were on the runway awaiting the aic
OF a solid slam. Roy's hits accounted
for runs to a number well above what
ordinarily would be expected OF his
batting average. After all, hitting when
hits mean runs is the best one could
ask of batter.
II he wants to be with the Nationals
next year, Ruel will be. Despite many
rumors that he Is to be the next man.
ager Of the Red Sox, Muddy isn't likely
to don Boston uniform. Many seem
to be sidestepping the Boston man
agerial Job. Though he did not dc
much catching this year, Ruel was bet
ter than many of the receivers around
the circuit and ought to continue bet
ter than many Of them for some time
Hargrave Doubtful.
Whether Hargrave is to stick with
the Nationals is not certain. When
Bill was picked up by waiver from the
Tigers in September the Nationals
wanted a long hitter more than q
catcher. He was used behind the bal
frequently after joining the Washing
ton club and doubtless is as good If not
better than many other receivers in the
league. If he does not figure in q
trade during the off-seaSon, Hargrave
will be given much serious consideration
for a catching staff berth when the
training campaign gets under way.
In all likelihood Charity will be re-
moved from the list Of regular player:
and made an out-and-out coach before
the next season starts. Pat still car
handle pitchers and peg the ball, bu
he is not the batter he used to be anC
has lost deal of foot. Getting dowr
to first base after whacking the bal
Is nothing easy for Charity now
However. he knows plenty about the
coaching of pitchers and Is clever al
gaug1ng the ability Of rookie hurlers
He'll be big help to the club as
coach.
As to Kenna and Bolton Kenna
when up with the Nationals before, wa
handicapped by q broken finger tina;
seriously interfered with his throws
That was two years ago. Since the
digit has healed nicely and with Chat
tanooga last season Kenna was &C.
counted the best catcher in the minors
He took good care of his pitchers
pegged well and hit strongly. Both
Grifith and johnson think Kenna vii
stick this time.
During the Two seasons he has beer
away from the Nationals Bolton ha:
done more outfleld playing than catch
ing. That's because he is such sturdy
hitter. He did not shine particularly
as an outflelder, but in the few game;
he toiled behind the bat he looked gooc
according to supposedly competent
Judges of base ball talent. So back h
comes for another looking-over anc
with plenty chance TO get big league
berth.
Catcher Shortage Serious.
All in all, Washington seems RICH
well fortified in the catching line. NJ
other club in the American Leagu'
IL - rp Lxefr 80
material In fact the catcher shortag
has become really serious. So serious
that one big league club casting abou
for a catcher was ready TO bring bacl
to the big show the venerable JOIN
Bassler, but was tipped that the pic
of the Pacific Coast League receiver
was Hank SEVERED. And Hank wa
catching in the ma jors before the day
OF the lively ball
In the East only Washington ant
Philadelphia are strong back OF tn
bat While the AS have little outsio
of Mickey Cochrane he Is enough. TIL
best the West can show is Benny Tate
He has done we'll with the White So
and they regard him as the best the
have had since Ray Schalk. Yet Tat
never was able to make himself q first
string receiver with the Nationals.
Bucky Harris, In Washington for tn
winter declares this catching propo
sition has him up in the air. He though
he had picked up neat one in Gen
Desautels. fresh from Holy Cross, bu
now he believes Gene may need NOR
seasoning before he may be called
big Lacquer Bucky sees little in hi
catching staff back of Raymond Hay
worth. Yet Hayworth is no Cochran
or Spencer. Hardly Tate.
Looks as though the Nationals ar
well ahead Of their rivals in a catch
ing way.