The Washington times., 1930-04-22
IRED GRIFFMEN NOW TALKING THIRD PLACE FINISH
SPIRIT Of "a
IS SEEN IN
TEAM
220h Annual " c. D 4 Duckpn Tournament 0pens Ioniqht
BY BOB THAYER

BY BOB THAYER
Enthusiasm and fighting
spirit strongly reminiscent of the
championship days Of 19241925
today exists among washington
club players.
The boys are getting huge
laugh at the expense of experts
who picked them for seventh
place this spring. Nothing less
than third-they intimate-will
interest them.
Everywhere the determination
and hustle of the Griffmen is
conspicuous. In the clubhouse
they daily plan new plays, on
the field they are chock-full of
spirit and, best of all, they are
pulling together! -.
It was in a strikingly similar
spot that Bucky Harris picked
up the Griffs and steered them
to a pennant and worlds cham
pionship in 1924. It's much too
early to be laying claims now.
But don't be surprised if Walter
Johnson's gang develops into a
1880 sensation.
The manner in which the
Washington club failed the
New York Yankees Sunday
and yesterday repeated over
the champion Athletics gives
plenty Of food for thought.
There was nothing synthetic
about either triumph. Particular
ly in yesterdays struggle, which
found Bump Hadley mastering
Connie Mack's crowd, SO.
That game meant more to
Bump than would a shutout
under similar circumstances. The
team that pounded him unmerci-
fully a year ago got away to a
two-run lead. Yet the Griffs
fought back and, with Hadley
showing the way, won out as The
game moved on.
Hadley's return to form, the
radical improvement of Lloyd
Brown and the bringing out of
other young players promises to
furnish the Griffmen with some
thing they've lacked during the
past several years. fast get
away.
With such veterans as Joe
Judge, Goose Goslin, Herold Ruel
and other seasoned articles grad
ually rounding into stride there
is every reason to believe that
Walter Johnson's combination
will be well in the championship
running with the arrival of warm
weather.
Today the Washington Club
will ,inaugurate an interesting
home stay of 20 days dura-
tiOn. During that time every
American League Club will be
entertained at Griffith Stad-
ium.
The Red Sox, who are to re-
port for a three-game set today,
will likely put up lively argu-
ment: Only recently the Bean
townerS measured out the New
York Yankees in both ends of a
double-header. They also put up
q whale of battle against the
Athletics before losing out the
following day.
Bob Burke. slender Washing
ton Club sidewinder, will go into
the firing pit today when the
Griffs and Red Sox come together
at American League Park. Either
Charley Ruffing or Milt CASTOR
will draw the other end of the
assignmnt.
Sad Sam Jones may toe the
slab for Walter johnson tomorrow
while Ad Liska is Thursdays log
acal pick.
Joe CrOnin'S home run
with a man on in the fourth,
Hadley'S pinch singing and
Earnshaw's wildness stood out
yesterday when the Griffs
Outbelted the Athletics before
$4,000 patrons at Shibe Park,
6-3.
The AS registered two times
In the initial semester after
which the Griffs got started. The
Washington Club picked up tallies
in the second and third cantos
and two more in the fourth
when Earnshaw's wildness result
ed in his removal from the box.
After Earnshaw had forced two
runs across with walks and was
automatically charged with de
feat, Howard Ehmke relieved him.
Lee Roy Mahaffey, young
right handler, pitched runless ball
for Connie Mack during the last
four frames.
Dick Shikat ThrOUs
Giant Sioux Indian
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