Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-28
BUDDY'S BIG STICK
EARNS HIM BERTH
Marberry, Brown, Thomas
to Split Toll in First Con-
test at Memphis.
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

MdICIl EO.-ouOuy MyC1
probably will get the call
over Jack Hayes for the
second basing job with the Ma
tionals. With his club needing all
the punch it can muster, especially
II Goose GoSlin, outf1elder, who
thus far has refused to accept
terms offered, persists in his
stand, Manager Walter Johnson
feels he must sacrifice some de-
fenSive strength to get the added
power in attack.
Hayes is the surer fielder around the
middle base, but Myer is the harder
and more frequent hitter at the plate.
And 1t now looks as though the Ma
tionals cannot afford to have out Of
their lineup a batter who swung for
an even 800 last year and use instead
one who averaged just .276. That
extra "a points in batting viii just
about gain Myer the berth.
Myer is no weakling at second base.
He is improving steadily afield, but
still Is far from being a Hayes around
the bag. Which is not surprising, for
Hayes came up to the Nationals from
the University of Alabama nine by way
of the Birmingham Barons, virtually
fniShed performer on either side of the
most Of his playing at shortstop or third
base, was shifted to second last season
without any particular training for the
Job and that he got along as well as
he did at the new task was greatly to
his credit.
Up to few days ago, when a sore
ness in his throwing arm compelled him
to forego heavy duty In the inheld,
Myer was performing In pleasing man
AZ
ers and pivoting for relays of throws to
frst base he looked far better than he
did last year. And at bat he was
singing the ball Soundly. But the arm
atlment developed, something not in
frequent with Myer in Spring training
and Manager johnson deemed 1t best to
keep the player out of action for time.
Buddy, of course, has been doing gen.
eral conditioning work, for he must keep
his legs In trim, but for several days
he has done little real throwing.
90 Hayes Is having his inning at the
middle station and probably will remain
there until Myers arm rounds into good
condition once more. Hayes, TOO, MAD
complained of pain In his throwing
wing, but now declares 1t to be sound
once more, and he is slated to play at
second for the Nationals in the game
tomorrow and Sunday with the Chicks
ut Memphis.
Almost the entire squad now in train
ing here will make the trip to Memphis.
johnson wants his charges to get plenty
Of work now that the exhibition tilt
season is well under way. The pilot
plans to use three pitchers for the first
game of the series with the Chicks,
very likely Fred Marberry, Lloyd Brown
and MyIes Thomas. Johnson had at
first intended to employ but two hurl-
erS for the fray, but cold weather here
the past few days checked the training
Of the noundsmen, so he deemed 1t best
TO send q trio out for tests.
The cold spell has not affected Irving
HadIey's training, though, and the
chunky Lynn boy is to try to make the
full route against the Chicks in the
Sunday contest. Hadley also may essay
another nine-inning trial during the
series with the Barons scheduled In
Birmingham next week.
The Birmingham series also may see
Sam Jones make his season bow. The
veteran has been training carefully this
Spring. His conditioning work has been
left mostly to his discretion. Sam
knows how to care for himself and has
made much progress. johnson believes
Jones will be quite ready for test
next week and may send him to the
firing line against the Barons for three
innings OF one Oh the BduACS'
Looks as though Muddy Ruel will be
the first-string catcher Of the Nationals
again when the season gets under way.
Muddy not only Is receiving in old-t1me
form once more and throwing better
than usual at this stage Of the train
ing period, but also is hitting well. He
has been so much better at bat than
Benny Tate in training 1t Is all but
certain he will be the choice over his
younger mate on the catching stan.
Sam Vests sore left arm. with which
he does his throwing, is fast getting
well and the clever outflelder may De
in the Nationals lineup at Memphis.
Sammy participated in batting drill yes
terday for the first time in several days
and declared his swings did not make
him vince as they did when ne nrst
hurt his arm.
Secretary Ed Eynon Of the Washing
ton club Is expected to join the party
here tonight. He may remain with the
Nationals until they head for Birming-
ham next week.
Too cold again yesterday for even a
scrub game for the Nationals, Manager
johnson figured, but he hoped to send
his team against the Second-stringer
Of the New York Giants today. The
Lookouts, though, braved the elements
yesterday and took a whack at NC
Graw's youngsters.