The Washington times., 1930-04-05
TOPS
THAT Of
1929
BY BOB THAYER

T Dy DOD AA1A@| - A~N~
BIRMINGHAM, Ala, April 8.
''I think we're going to get a
flock Of laughs out of the boys
who are picking US for seventh
plASe. We're not that kind OF
o ball club"
Almost cockily, Manager Wal
ter johnson, of the Griffmen,
expressed himself in this fashion
today.
"We've a better team than we
had last year." he explained,
sand if Goose Goslin keeps Jap
the good work we might get some
where" johnson, usually back
ward in such matters, seems
pleased at the recent turn Of al
fairs.
"Iast spring admitted pitch
ing was our weakest point" he
reminded the writer.
'"WeII, it ought to be our
strongest this season. And,
so far as / can see, our MT
ting and Fielding Is as gOOd
as it was in 1929.
> I'm figuring on starting Lloyd
Brown. Fred MarberrY Bump
Hadley and Ad Liska in turn at
the start of the year. And also
working in Myles Thomas and
BIB Burke. Later Sam Jones and
Garland Braxton will break into
action. Jones who has been &C
corded the privilege OF picking
his spots, insists he will pltcn
often. But, if they desire it. both
he and Braxton can get regular
breathing intervals.
'"Bluege and Ruel ought to help
our hitting order plenty" Walter
insisted while changing the sub
iect. 'Bluege was betting around
200 when his trick knee failed
him last summer. And Ruel who
didn't get started then, looks
great now.
"Goslin, though is our best bet.
He looks 100 per cent improved.
The Goose is a great player when
he's right. And he's showing
bulldog determination in his
comeback bid"
Walter believes added ex-
uerience will set buddy Myer
off to advantage on second
base. Also, He contends, the
Mississippi boy will hit harder
and use his speed on the
bases more beneficially.
"I'm not saying we'll work
wonders" the big trainer re-
marked in closing, but we Cugnt
to be dangerous. There's lots OF
clubs picked above us that will
know they've been in scrap
before we rack up" :,
Walter Johnson has instructed
his players to bear down IN the
Boston Brave series starting at
Chattanooga tomorrow.
Immediately after tOday's game
with the Birmingham BaronS'
the Griffs are to entrain for the
Tennessee city. Tomorrow, while
opening up with the Braves, they
viii officially close 1880 training
in Chattanooga.
Lloyd Brown will go nine in
nings tomorrow. Ad Liska and
Tump Hadley are also to travel
the route in this five-game whirl.
Following tOmOrrOw'S strug-
RIe, the Griffs will take issue
with the Hubmen In Char
lotte, N. c.; Winston Salem, g.
N. c.; Norfolk, Va, and Rich
mOnd, Va, on consecutive
days.
Checking into Washington
Thursday night, they are to again
take the road the following day,
meeting the Baltimore Orioles in
Baltimore.
The orioles and Rochester Red
Wings are to be engaged at Grit.
fifth Stadium next Saturday and
Sunday. The Griffs are to inaugu.
rate their American League sched-
ule against the Red Sox the fol
lowing day, April IA.
Ad Liska, youthful underhand
singer, will try his initial regula-
ton turn today when Zeb Milan's
Birmingham BaronS are taken on
in the rubber of a three-game set.
Caldwell and Campbell were
Milan's overnight picks.
Two singles and a home run,
the latter with two men on in the
fifth, yesterday featured Goose
Goslin's 1880 exhibition bow
when the Grfifs stopped the Am
bilious BaronS here, so.
While Fred Marberry and Irv-
ing Hadley were pitching gilt.
edged bali. the visitors fell into
Bob HaSty with a four run rush
in the fifth to settle the issue.
Ray Francis, who replaced HaSty
~ tIoa ciNth viaIdad fvy0 moro fol.