The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-27
/ ALKING
IT OVER
BY JOE WILLIAMS

~ / EW OENINf WAY -. WoD
~ punching the bag, or barbering,
as the boys say, with Gordon STAN
ley Cochrane, otherwise Mickey, the
great catcher of the Philadelphia
Athletics. Cochrane does not pro-
fess to be unduly disturbed because
the Athletics are not on top at the
current writing and making run
away race of the championship as
many critics predicted.
I'VE are still the class OF the
league" he maintains, and as soon
as our pitching develops more con-
consistency, we will be up there
where we belong"
Cocbrane refuses 10 believe that Wash
ington will continue its surprising gait
great deal longer.
sIt is lust fair ball club. blessed with
some good spring pitching and fighting
shirt that may not last once the breaks
start TO 90 against the boys.
saThe Yanks have more power than any
OF our competitors and ] am beginning 10
believe they are the team we will have 70
beat again this year. though didn
think so earlier in the season. Larry looks
as If he will do at short. so 1t viii not
make much difference how long Koenig Is
ont. Chairman is a real third baseman.
one Of the best of the newcomers.
n
WE got to talking about speed
w pitchers. 1t is generally agreed
that the two speediest pitchers in
the American League are Grove and
EarnshaW. both on the Athletics
staff. It is, Cochrane's business to
catch these two gents regularly and
naturally he should know which IS
the speedier.
on this point there is a diversity OF
opinion around the circuit. suIpIiis-
ingly big number of rival 6atters cam l
drovs Who ' has been generally looked upon
as Walter Johnsons successor.
81 room with Earnshaw." said COchrane.
and he is my pal. but I don't think he
carries the speed Grove does. Not over
full game anyway. When he is right
Grove burns that ball into my mitt with
as much power behind ii in the ninth in
ming as in the first. and think that IS
the only logical basis on which the aues-
tIon of relative speed can be determined.
n
HOWEVER, Cochrane said that
II when it came to combination
of speed and curves. EarnshaW is
the best in the league. He is one
speed ball pitcher who can throw
a really fine curve. In fact, 1 think
his curve is the best in the league.
IL Is a curious fact that not many speed
ball pitchers have had effective curve
balls. Dairy Vance of the Brooklyns Is
an exception. johnson. perhaps the great
est of all speed ball pitchers, never had
curve Of any Importance.
"I remember when johnson was pitch
inq'' said Cochrane. we would always
iay back and wait for his curve; He had
a routine Of saving his curve until ne tisl
nv hSO inSyaTiably would come across with his
curve-and how sweet 1t was TO DsV
againstr'
Coebrans revealed that it was part
of Connie Mack's strategy to have his
men take two strikes on Johnson in order
to lure him into using his curve.
q
TINE conversation drifted back to
4 the world series and Mack's
astonishing move in sending Ehmke
out to pitch the opening game
against the Cubs. 1t has been pre-
viousIy disclosed in this department
that only three men knew Ehmke
was going to pitch at noon on the
dav of the game-Maok, Eddie Col
Inns and the pitcher himself.
q
"I didn't even believe he was going to
pitch when he started TO warm up" said
Cochrane. 81 went over to the duEout
where Connie was sitting and asked who
was going to start. Connie mOtioned with
his thumb to Ehmke and said: He is. is
il all right with you?'
=
Il still thought he was pulling gag
of some sort and laughed. If he s all
right with you. Connie, he's all right
with me-