Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-17
BY JOHN b. KELLER,

~ in every part of the country
as base balls David Harum
No man in the game in those days
drove a Shrewder bargain than he
In. the trading of diamond ma
terial, raw or refined. Then for q
long time Griffith was out of the
market, but when he engineered
the GoSlin for ManuSh and
Crowder deal last Saturday it was
said far and wide that the OLD
Fox still was the master trader.
But this Braxton and Tate for Shires
swap, put across last night few hours
before base ball law banned intra-
league trading for the remainder of the
summer, leaves some doubt as to the
sagacity Of the Washington president in
the matter in exchanging players.
Art Shires, who specializeS in pugiliSm
as well as base ball, may be a pretty
good FIRST baseman; perhaps o much
better first baseman than he was when
wearing a White Sox uniform. And
now that 1t seems Harley Boss, who was
brought up from Little Rock several
years ago as the most promising young
initial sack guardian the Nationals had
grabbed In some time, will not make
the grade, picking Shires from the Chi
cago club to understudy the veteran Joe
Judge evidently is good move. Joe is
having trouble with his UNDERMINING
again and it is well to have a fellow
like ShireS around. But what a price
TO pay for him.
Now, then, President Grifith is hop
ing for another pennant this year. He
Is making every move that may be cal
a culated to carry the Nationals to such
Q height. Fine and good, getting man
undoubtedly more experienced than
Jack Hayes, who is rather used to work.
ing around the other side of the infield,
for the protection Of his first base posi-
ton. But, still, in procuring this pro-
lection Grifith is giving away much.
In dispensing with Tate the Washing
ton club probably Is suffering little loss.
Benny very likely is a much better
catcher than he had a chance to show
while wearing a Washington uniform.
With the Nationals he always was an
earnest worker and he's rather clever
receiver.
If used regularly Tate might bat bet
ter than he did as an occasional player.
But Tate happened to come up in 1924,
when Ruel was in his heyday, and now
that Spencer is going along so well his
nose has been out of joint so far as
the Washington club Is concerned.
It's another matter with Braxton.
however. When this left-hand pitcher
came to the club, in 1927, estepsibly
as a purchase, but really as part OF d
trade which sent Dutch Ruetf1er to the
New York club the season before. he
was figured to be merely relief pitch
er. And that's Just what he has been.
For time he was tried as starter,
but Braxton has not the best physique
In the world. It is questionable whether
he can start and go powerfully f1ye or
six innings. Yet, with his remarkable
hall has a great Sf0nnHT nj
rallies by the opposition.
And, as the Washington club has
functioned during the last two weeks,
this Braxton has been big help: Shires
may be a great chap to have around
when Judge is incapacitated. But what
0about Q relief pitcher with Braxton
gone?
At that, the washington club per-
iaaps has gained through this latest ex-
4 change with the Chicago club. Man
ager johnson says Shires has "all the
nerve in the world when he steps to
the plate, and that will be something
helpful"
manager, "Shires will be more ex-
perienced person than Hayes to have
around that first base while Judge Is
out-and it is now believed that Judge
will be out for several days more be-
cause of his charley horsed leg and
that Shires will be batting in the NTH
position in the order when the Ma
tionals open against the Cnisox IN
Washington next Thursday-ano also
believe he will take good charge OF
1irst base when Judge Is on the side
line. That's what consider the CLUB
needs some one TO carry on at nrsG
base when Judge Is sitting on the
bench"
TT connes to this. Fred Marberry, who,
when he first came to the club years
ago, was figured a great fast ball
V,itcher and with nothing else. was dele
rated to the relief role. Well, Fred
made good with vengeance at that
time. And for several years thereafter
he was even better. In fact, In his hrst
two full seasons with the Nationals,
Fred undoubtedly was the greatest re-
lief hurler in base ball. He pitched in
IS games In 1925 and to a record OF
IL wins and losses. That's not such
an impressive record as a starter, OF
course, but he didn't start game that
year. There seems to be no reason why
Marberry after the experience he mas
Z gained since, shouldn't be remarkable
rescue worker. II he Is the trade may
be marked ok.
10th Of the Nationals sent to the
ID Chisox are satisfied they will get
along well. Tate is confident he viii
get an opportunity to work regularly
and believes he will make good: .,u
"Ive been waiting long time Tor
this chance" says Benny. and III try
in every way TO get ahead"
AS for Braxton he declares he'll pitch
''just as I have and I think that VIII
be pitching enough"
rIERE are the Nationals within half
a game of the lead and If they had
lost they would have been in
fourth place But by virtue OF their
q-to-7 victory over the Browns yester-
day. Johnson's men are on the hank Oh
the league-leading Athletics and even
with the Indians in second place. The
Yankees, rained out yesterday, still are
in fourth place.
It was a tough battle the Mats won.
They overhauled the Browns by driving
walter Stewart from the box in the
seventh inning after Irving Hadley had
Welded the home side a lead In the
early frames, but they saw the lower
end of the st. Louis batting order drive
to the front at Lloyd Browns expense
In the latter half Of the same frame.
After two were out, though, in the
eighth inning, strategic moves by Man.
ager johnson brought good results
Bluege walked and Judge, batting fol-
Hayes, singled OsSie to second. Rue
batted for Spencer and his triple TO the
right fleld corner scored Bluege and
Thomas, running for Judge, to put the
Nationals ahead. This triple was made
of Chad Kimsey, who had relieved
Stewart in the previous inning.
Stewart had been hit for only three
safeties in the first six innings, but ir
the seventh he was knicked for foul
hits and one pass which Melted foul
runs and put the Nationals ahead Of
the early pitching OF Hadley and Brown
In the eighth the Griffs collected TIVE
runs of KinnSeV and Vests homer anS