Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-29
CLUB LIKELY TO co
AS SPENCER PLAYS
Head BackStopper Is Held
Key Man-Griffmen Face
Birds Again Today.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON,
Sports Editor. The Star.


nOXI, Miss, March 28.-
X Washington's chance for
l. the American League pen
nant this year have been
pictured from time to time as con-
tirigent principally upon num-
Der of things, the chief "if" vary
ing according to the point of view.
Some are convinced the Ma
tionals will stand or fall accord
ing to the measure their brilliant
young Shortstopper, Joe Cronin,
maintains the terrific pace he set
last year, both at bat and afleld.
The Frisco boy was regarded as
the Sparkplug of the infleld, the
inspirational force of the entire
outfit.
AS others see it the extent to which
Walter Johnson's aggregation proves
able to improve on its 1880 won and lest
record rests largely with the manner
in which the pitching staff, which de-
livered in superlative style last season,
approximateS that gait. While still
others are convinced the fate OF the
club viii hinge upon whsSARs several OF
the old war horses, including San
Jones, Joe Judge and Sam Rice can get
another good campaign out OF their
ancient systems.
Then there also are those who con-
tend q title for the Grif1men will be
possible only in the event at least one
Of their fingers develops into an out
standing performer who can achieve 70
or more victories while his mates are
at least hewing close to the marks they
established during the past Summer.
0NE of the biggest 'if's" as I see
~ it. however, concerns a depart
ment seldom mentioned. This is
the catching staff, or to put 1t more
briefly, Roy Spencer. OF course there
are a couple of other backstoppers on
the roster, both of whom have their
good points. but it is a fact that the
former Pirate is the only honest-to-
goodness varsity receiver available and
q first-class man back of the plate Is
imperative for q club with champion
alaip aspirations.
IL is true there are few teams which
boast of two top-notch mittmen and
that there is nothing unusual about one
doing practically all OF the work.
Mickey Cochrane, for instance, Is the
onIv first-f1ight catcher the Athletics
have had during their recent pair OF
fiaR-grabbing campaigns.
II will be recalled that for years
Muddy RueI called 'em for the pitchers
of the Nationals in two-thlroS OF more
of their annual engagements and WITH
good effect What would have happened
to either the Griffs or the AS during
their pennant winning years II their
catching aces had been incapacitated
for any appreciable length OF time?
n ED HARGRAVE, who rates with
X Johnson's outfit as first assistant
backstopper. Is capable of getting
In there for day or two at time 10
give Spencer a rest, but his principal
value lies in the fact he is dangerous
bozo at bat whether taking his stance
left or right handed.
The same applies to an even greater
degree to Cliff Bolton. This youngster
Is regarded as an even oeteL DaU y All
than Hargrave, although ne does IL an
from the south side Of the platter. But
he is only lust learning the job. he
still is woefully lacking in polish In
the fine points and Hargrave never
acquired any too much. Neither OF
these can be expected to don a mask
day after day and completely direct
the entire ball game, which Is just
what a catcher has to do.
SPENCER, although not nearly so
- formidable q swatter as either OF
his assistants, is a heady performer
with a lot of action, knows what II Is
ali about and can peg the ball around
those bases as fast and accurately as
zny one in the business. Also, he Is
durable chap, not prone to injury, which
is q fortunate thing for the team.
II the Nationals achieve their am
bition to finish on top of the mag
scramble this year, more than a little
share Of the credit viii be que TINS
modest and workmanlike performer
But If he should have the misfortune
I'd. well. break leg, for instance, am
going to hedge on all my bets.
DY trimming the Nationals today the
I'D Orioles pulled up to within one
game of them in the Spring
clashes, which now stand at three
washington wins. two Baltimore VIC
tories ana one tie, and they hope to
even the count tomorrow afternoon
when they entertain the Capitalians AT
their training base in Gulfport.
Manager johnson announced today
that Walter TauScher would be one OF
his fingers In the Sabbath ARRAY, but
was undecided whether TO use BOD
Burke, Al Crowder or both in addition.
This will be the final fracas between
the Two CLUBS Al SAiAS cSNNtcA'
orioles pull up stakes following thelr
Monday game with the House OF David
nine in which Al Schacht plans TO par
ficfnate. disguised by a phoney beard,
and start a transforming trip home
ward The Nationals have a game on
with the bewhiskeTed athletes TUESDAY
and quit their camp THURSDAY Tor stop
Syers at Birmingham and Chattanooga
4, route North. where the Orioles arc
"a be encountered in two more Tits,
one at home and the other in Baltimore.
A THOUGH no ofncial announce
"A ment as yet has been made, 1t Is
believed General Manager George
weiss will return to Gulfport as con-
KiitioninR camp for the Orioles next
year, in which case the Louisville club
may abandon its plan TO train In Biloxi
along with the Nationals. William
(Cap) Neal, vice president Of the
Colonies, was much impressed during
their recent visit here with the climate
and diamond facilities the Nationals
enjoy and preached the subject OF
establishing q joint camp for 1882,
provided enlarged club house accommo-
dations were assured. II the Orioles re-
turn TO Gulfport they will have FIRST
choice at games with the Nationals,
however. which might leave the current
American Association champions with
out as much Spring opposition as they
need.
THE death in a st. Louis hospital
4 after a lingering illness OF Ban
johnson, following the sudden
demise of Ernest S. Barnard, removed