Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-16
GR|FFS COULD Use
Clever PIVOT man
Jack Is Not Hitter Like
Buddy, but Is Great
in Double Play.
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

q ENONO passing Is just second
basing on some major league
~ ball clubs, but 1t is big bust
ness so far as the Nationals
are concerned. When Bucky Har-
ris in his prime was performing
for the Washington outfit it did
not have to bother at all about
the care of the middle sack, but
since Bucky transferred his ALE
glance to the Detroit club things
have been different. The Nationals
have had several players working
at second base and 1t seems there
will be more experimenting around
that station before the club takes
the field for the next champion
ship campaign of the American
League.
For q time it was thought Ossie
Bluege would be the man to cover the
middle sack, but Bluege is too good a
third baseman to be shifted to another
position, and it did not take long for
the washington management to give
up the idea Of making a second base
man OF OSsie. Then Joe Cronin was
used at the position, but Joe Is too
good ShortSsop to be moved over. So
Buddy Myer, originally brought back
from the Red Sox to become q third
baseman, was put at the center bag.
Buddy has not been q poor second
sacker as second sackers 90, but those
in authority on the washington club
have an idea there's better second
sacker around In one Jack Hayes. This
Hayes person, while nothing like the
hitter Buddy Is, can handle the ball
wonderfully, throw nicely and pivot In
q double play like nobodys business.
And particularly 1t Is Hayes ability to
work In q double play that has the
Washington bosses sitting up and TAX
ing notice.
Hayes Looks the Goods.
Myer was placed in the regular line
up more because Of his hitting ability
than anything else. There's no secret
about that. Buddy has q keen batting
eye and plenty power at the plate. And
he also has q deal of speed once under
way. But his fielding leaves something
to be desired. Although he improved
considerably after starting as q woe
fully weak second baseman, Myer still
10 not q Hayes around the sack.
Buddy goes to his left deity. He
can make startling stops when going
in that direction, and he Is able to get
the ball away when on balance after
these plays. But going to his right for
plays Is something else with Buddy.
There he 70 not 90 nne. Not glaringly
weak but weak enough to hurt his clubs
cause at times. This doesn't mean
that Buddy Is not q good ball player.
around. But when q club has a neat
fielder like Hayes ut hand it appears
he might be used to advantage.
Despite his earnest efforts Myer has
been unable to master the double-play
proposition, and this more than any
thing else may mean that he win be
supplanted by Hayes. The youngster,
who came I'D from Birmingham several
seasons ago. Is Just about the best in
the league as pivot man In the two
My erasure. He takes q throw nicely
starter Of the double play, too, Hayes
IS q top-noteher. He can feed the ball
IN the pivot player In splendid fashion.
Jacks Arm Stronger.
Then in another way Hayes has
something on Myer as . fielder. It
Is In the arm. Jack can throw and
throw strongly. Myer pushes the ball,
but Hayes heaves It. Perhaps this arm
weakness Of Myers has not been par
ticularly noticed by washington fans,
but he has 1t nevertheless. Buddy's
throws are accurate but lacking in
power, and there are many times in q
season when a powerful throw by
second basen1an Is necessary TO the
good Of the club.
OF course, a ball club locks for punch
in a player. It's the batting that puts
over runs. And runs win ball games.
But In the inner defense q club has
to figure on employing player who
may stop tho rival club getting runs.
That IL where Hayes would shine.
Superior to Myer as fielder, Hayes
could more often check the opposition.
Though the Nationals batted sturdtly
the past season, they depended mainly
upon an excellent defense to win, and
e appears they could well AFFORD to
bolster the defense II possible.
At that, Hayes is no weakling at bat.
His hitting average is nothing high,
but Hayes has the knack OF hitting
when a hit Is sorely needed. Which,
after all, Is the true test for batter.
So, good afield, IL seems Jack could be
carried as q regular without taking
anything away from the Nationals.
It's pretty safe TO say he viii be given
q deal Of consideration when the selec-
ton Of q second-sacker for the WASH
1nrtOg club Is made ut the Biloxi train