Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-26
NO SORENESS NOW
IN LIMB, SAM SAYS
Johnson, Martin Also Hold
Griff 0utfieIder Again in
Good Trim.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

X Sam West is as At as a i'd
! IL die. At least he says he is,
Trainer Mike Martin is sure
Of it and Manager Walter Johnson
Is inclined to think so after seeing
his prize fly hawk in action for
the first time since late last sea-
son, when West was relegated to
the bench with a wing lameness
that had every one connected with
the club in a weller of apprehen-
sion that his playing days might
be ended.
That steel-like left arm which had
whipped out SO many runners at the
plate before a recurrence last Septem-
Der Of the ailment with which he was
stricken during Spring training q year
ago once more appears as sound as
<ever and Sammy himself is convinced
that neither Harry Rice nor Dave Har-
rts will have much work to do during
the coming season II their toll Is con-
lined to subbing for him.
It will be recalled that at the close
OF the 1880 campaign West hiked for
his home in Texas under instructions
70 give his arm q thorough rest and
report back for an examination during
the holidays. When he showed up in
the Capital around Christmas time a
0evy OF learned medicoS scrutinized
the limb carefully with the aid of the
X-ray and decided that, although
there was a growth in the elbow and
the pictures disclosed q small Clipped
bone. there was no need for an OPP
Grafton.
No Arm Trouble Lately.
Accordingly he was packed of back
TO the Lone Star State, this time with
the injunction to give it plenty of
exercise. This Sammy did, his course
Of calisthenics including daily sessions
OF tossing base balls, and he reports
ne has not suffered the slightest bit
OF inconvenience since.
!. Pilot johnson naturally is elated to
learn that the youngster, who has no
superiors in the business of going and
getting 'em in the outer stretches OF
the field, seems likely to be under no
handicap. from that old trouble of
ms: walter not only is anxious to
nave Sam available throughout the
season, because Of the defensive
strength he affords the team, but is
convinced West is by way Of develop
ing into q really dependable hitter,
citing the 1928 average he carved out
last season against all brands Of hurl-
ing as evidence In support Of his
But Vests fine condition was not all
Sonnson had reason to feel gratifed
over in regard TO the first official work.
out OF the Nationals in preparation for
the American League championship
campaign, now some six weeks distant.
Every one OF the dozen and a half
athletes who exercised under his SUPER
vision at the spacious and well groomed
Biloxi ball park today appeared to be
In prime shape physically, and a couple
Of them-Lynn Grifith and walter
archaeological Themselves in a
manner that led the pilot to believe
they VIII warrant careful inspection
before being farmed out for further
seasoning or otherwise disposed of
against the coming Of another year.
May Have Worked Early.
The answer may be that Grifith. the
rangy left-hander who earned quite a
reputation as strike-out artist with
Joplin OF the Western Association last
season, has been working out at his
home, in Bryan, Tex, and the way
Tauscher also cut loose in warming up
would give the same impression although
II the stable rockies drafted from Dali
las Of the Texas League sneaked in any
sSSsOA~N WI ~ Aliucb AldfC OCcu ClLQCT
INDOORS or through the medium Of SHOW
cling snow, for he halls from Rhine
Sander, Wis. where Winter Is Winter,
and no foolin'.
At any rate, Trainer Martin felt con-
eRxatned TO bawl 'em out more than
once for bearing down too much with
the high, hard ones, and finally threat
ened to send them both to the showers
u they didn't ease up. In addition to
this FRair Ia
and Carl Fischer did considerably more
work than the others, for they have
been at 1t now for several days.
For Al Crowder, Art F1dler, Joe Smith
Ray Mcmahon, George Grayson. Ad
Liska, Sam Jones and Bob Burke Of
the finging brigade and Catchers Roy
Spencer, Ed Kenna and Cliff Bolton it
was the first time out and, although
they were in uniform from 10 o'clock
until after midday, they helded Lunts.
played catch. engaged in a volley ball
tussle and wound up with some road
work In more leisurely fashion.
Like Track Stun Now.
Manager Walter johnson of the Ma
tionals long has been q firm believer in
the theory that a pitcher best can be
prepared for pitching by first strength
ening his legs and wind, but the well
known aversion OF all ball players to
any form OF running mas made this
diflcult task.
Now Barney seems TO have solved the
problem. Instead of merely directing
the athletes TO trot a certain number
OF times around the track. he has sup
piled huge rubber balls inflated with
air which the boys bounce to each other
rs they circle around the field, and they
have so much fun In the process that
all the dY1idRery Of track work has been
eliminated.