The Washington times., 1930-03-17
FAILS
ito PUT ON
STRENGTH
BY BOB THAYER

BILOXI, Miss, March IT,
Failure to add worthwhile ma
terial during the winter causes
the 1880 Washington Club tc
shape up as the least improved
in either big league. To get any
where in the impending American
League race the Griffs must cash
In on virtually the same talent
that wound up fifth a year ago.
If anything the present edition
lis weaker than the 1929 layout
with Goose Goslin, hard hitting
3sun gardener. and Catcher Roy
Spencer established holdouts, Wal
ter Johnson's gang is hard put
; Nor batting punch.
Spencer failed to strike his
gstride a year ago. There is
treason to believe he would have
been a greatly improved batsman
this season.
Goslin last year col4AAected for
a2SS, it was the first and only,
lhitting slump of his career. And
when it is considered that such
fcelebrities as Babe Ruth, Lou
Gehrig, Iris Speaker, Max Carey,
Sammy Rice and others Of similar
import have suffered similar let
downs in the past-it seems that
+Such a season could be overlooked.
With Goslin in action this
writer candidly believes the
Washington club could attain
first division. Otherwise sixth
place would seem logical Sc
lection.
Of the rockies brought UP for
spring development only three
seem destined to stick. Because
of a general shortage of outfield'
ers George Leopp, exBaltimore
Oriole will hold as a utility man.
Jim Mcleod, Little Rock rookie,
is to be retained as a pinch in
fielder, while Carlos Moore,
bronzed Birmingham baron pro-
duct, already looks the part OF a
big league pitcher.
These additions cannot be eX.
pected to be in any measure offset
the loss of Goslln and Spencer
that is if the latter pairs terms
are not met.
The scarcity of capable new
corners, many think, is due to a
depleted Washington scouting
staff. Whereas Joe Engel could
once comb the bushes and bob
up with the desired men his in
creased duties now make it ad-
visable to add more ivory comb
erS.
Shorty Long, diminutive
Washington baseball product,
is one who would stack up
to major requirements, while
several others could be To-
Gated.
Also it must be remembered,
the Gr1ffmen let two of their de-
sired r1ght-hand hitting out
fielders, Harry Heilmann and
Bob Meusel, slide to the National
League, presumably on waivers.
AS it stands, the Washington
club should get improved pitch
ing. Fred Marberry, lone 1929
ace, may expect plenty of as
sistance from Lloyd Brown, Ad
Liska and Bump Hadley. Myles
Thomas and Carlos Moore are
also coming along nicely, while
Sam Jones will .be ready in warm
weather. Bob Burke should help
out in emergencies and Garland
Braxton, if he gets into shape,
cannot be passed up.
Muddy Ruel and Benny Tate
will be assigned the backstopping
brunt. Ed Charity can also be
called upon if needed.
Joe Judge, Jack Hayes,
Buddy Myer, Ossie Bluege,
Joe Cronin and Jimmy Nc
LeOd will undoubtedly make
up a crack infield.
The outfield, however, will
undergo an all-around decline
That is, unless Goslin is signed.
Goslin and Rice, travelling in
top gear, could offset the erratic
hitting of West, a remarkable
flyhawk. But Red Barnes, a
none-too-sure fielder, would have
to top his blue ribbon 1928 bat
ting gait substantially to lend a
balance to that area.
The red-head, normally a fair
hitter and as game as they come,
has been picked to put over the
slug power. But it's one thing
to bat around .305 and another
to fill the shoes of a Goose Gus
lin, even after the latter has
closed the worst season of his