The Washington times., 1930-04-14
TAKESP0sT
IN BOX As
REGULAR
By BOB THAYER


A dream long cherished will
be fulfilled today when the Wash
ington Griffmen and Boston Red
. Eox come together in the open
ing 1880 big league bali game.
When some $4,000 customers
congregate at Griffith Stadium
that is, If the weather holds up
they viii see q huge-framed
pitcher amble to the slab for
washington.
That pitcher. friends, is a fit
ting successor to the immortal
Walter johnson. His actions ana
honesty are those Of Johnson.
Fred Marberry's his name.
Time was-and Fred ad-
Maits it-when this same big
chap marvelled at JOhnsOn'S
achievements. Probably he
longed for the day when he, :
too, might gain the piaudits
Of thousands i'm an opening
day game. That days here.
When johnson retired from
the national pastirne after 1873,
much speculation was broadcast
regarding his successor. Over.
night sensations were touted as
carbon copies Of the Old Master.
Rl1t something more than me-
teoric brilliance is needed to sup
plant the real thing.
At the time Fred Marberry was
merely big bozo with q fast
. one, plenty of heart and q fine
spirit. No one took him seriously
as a starting pitcher but Mar
berry himself. They said he
couldn't go the distance, that his
stuff was his stock in trade. Fred
knew better.
He studied baseball. He learned
to mix his hard one with a credit
able hook and developed a change
Of pace. He showed signs Of nine
period effectiveness in 1928. And
last year he stepped out!
With q fifth place club
and q bad fifth mind yOu-
iron hearted Marberry won 10
games. His mates kicked
away several others. As II
this were not enough he re-
Neved several faltering com.
rades and saved the day. A
self made man If ever. there
was one!
Today, after five years Of watch
full waiting, Washingtonians can
hail a true successor to the great
Walter. Maybe not so fast as
johnson but fast enough. Pos
sibly not so colorful as the big
train but courageous, willing and
durable. > ,
In Fred Marberry, fans, you
have every quality any manager
could desire. Loyalty, initiative
and gamenesS. ...-
What a man!
:: And we don't mean ShireS!
Hes q great kid. Give
him another year and he will
come into his own"
Clark Griffith's comment after
announcing the optional release
Of outfielder Alvin Powell to
Chattanooga Yesterday.
Powell will play every day with
the Lookouts. And his mates
look for him to return to Griffs
/; and bat 800 or better in 1881.
Lefty Lloyd Brown is set to
share left-handed pitching honors
with Garland Braxton this sea-
son, So is Bobby Burke for
that matter.
, American League teams top
heavy with southpaw swatsmiths
might well wish to detour the
Washington Club.
Brown travels against the
Red SOx In Boston tomorrow.
Hadley pitches the third
game and Burke will com
plete the set. If he shows
enough Hadley Is to come
back against the As ut Shibe
Park Saturday.
Ad Liska has been instructed
to lay off training.
Walter johnson, usually o
ktickler for hard work, believes
the willing submarine shooter
has put too much steam behind
his workouts. Consequently he
has gone stale.
Ad is now laying off running
exercises and Is prepared to put
all Of his strength behind the
ball hereafter.