Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-20
HARD HITTING DONE
BY MACK CAST-OFF
Leads Outfit That Opens Sc
ries Here TomorroW-Nat
Seconds Win.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

~ NE OF the reasons why the
Red Sox, who arrive to-
morrow to start a series
of six games to be played
in five days in Griffith Stadium,
are doing much better this season
than formerly is Thomas N. Oil
yer. This young fellow not only
cavortS about the outfield in right
neat manner for the Boston
bunch, but he also stings the ball
at a fine rate, and singing the
ball Is helpful to any club. At
present, Oliver is among the five
best batterS of the American
League, having socked for an
average of 1850 in % games. That's
high-class hitting in any league.
It was break of luck that put
Oliver In a Red Sox uniform. He
wasn't picked up by them from the
of the world champion Athletics The
AS last Fall drafted Tom from the
Little Rock club but with such birds
as AL Simmons, Bing Miller and Male
Haas around Connie Mack decided he
didn't need any one like Oliver. SO the
venerable manager Of the champs was
ready to sell Tom down the river, but
before he could do SO the formality of
procuring waivers from other American
and National League clubs had to be
cared for.
The National League never got shot
at Oliver, although 1t has been said
several clubs of the senior circuit
would have liked to. When the word
went out that the AS wanted to dis
pose Of the young outfielder the Red
Sox immediately put in claim for him
So did several other American League
outfits, but as the Red Sox finished In
the cellar last season by base ball law
their claim had priority.
A fine break for them. Oliver has
ielded strongly since the beginning Of
the 1880 campaign and has batted far
better than any one dreamed he could
bat In big time. He has made the Red
Sox more formidable In attack than
they had been in seasons and aroused
in Boston fandom the hope that at last
the denizens Of Fenway Park viii
escape q tail-end finish in the circuit
this year.
OLIVER, who is rs years old, is no
~ little fellow He stands at 6 feet
weighs around ITO pounds. He has
been around the professional game Tor
six years. He broke In at Laurel. Miss,
in 1928 and since has played with
NlOIlEOE, L8.s 0AnCBCtOAts NCAAoAAt A$S-
catur. nj: san Francisco,s Missions
! cub 81 the Pacific Coast League, Beau
mont, Nashville and Little Rock. This
Oliver has been quite q traveller around
Last year he led the Southern Assoc
ciation with 216 hits, while his average
az 1856 placed him fifth among the bat
tiers Of the Dixie circuit. What's more,
Oliver Is one Of those rarities among
hard hitters these days, right-hand
batter.
Warrington has for some time been
locking for hard-hitting right-hander.
Wei. maybe another Oliver VIII come
along.
TT has been noticeable lately that the
i Nationals are pivoting few double
plays around the middle sack. Neitner
Cronin nor Myer have been moving
deity. in getting away throws that
might complete the second out. Chances
have been numerous, too, for this neio-
ing feat in recent engagements. In one
game of the Detroit series here. no less
than six fair opportunities for daui
erasures came along, but only one was
what big help to the Nationals
would come from perfection OF the pivot
by those who work around the middle
base, Perhaps some tutoring OF these
guardians may be done In morning orlliS
during the few days before the WASH
ington club starts its long tour.
yYTnAT's happened to Fred Marbery'
w washington fandom is wondering.
sonethinr must be wrong. The big fell
low who stepped along In such nasny
manner last season Is starter ana M
isI,ed with his best record as q major
leNo1,er has been unable to make any
hesdyay at all this Spring. Down SCUM
ia training it was thought FREQ was
getting along nicely and that once msle
he would be among the NationaiS as oe 81
the Championship battling, though. Mar
berry has not been right. 1t cant pe
from lack of work, for no member OF
the suaud has toiled more StrenuouSiy
and faithfully than Fred. Yet WIN
nearly a dozen weeks Of training PACK
of him the big Texan stta seems IaI
from the peak Of condition. Pernaps
Fred may spring into form suooeny;;
When he does round to the Natlonais
pitching stock will rise sharply.
A MAKEsHIFT washington team was
"A given a spirited battle by the Ma
val Academy nine yesterday at An
napolis and had all 1t could DO 70 WIN
by o 4-to-2 count. Ernie Coombs,
southpaw, did the pitching for tne
Midshipmen and though the Nationals
got 10 hits on him they needed misplays
by their opponents to get three OF
their tallies.
Bob Burke. Bump Hadley, Ad Liska
and Carlos Moore shared the pitching
burden for the big leaguers and the
Midshipmen got but three hits, all on
Moore, who pitched the last two innings.
These safeties were made in the ninth
when the Navy boys did their scoring.
Other than the pitchers, Sam West.
Joe Cronin and Leorge Loepp were the