The Washington times., 1931-05-05
MUST GAMBLE
7 D v | n
GAMES
BY JOE HOLMAN

SG" 4O4b1As way SCNOAlS
Euessers and professional squawk-
Ors, attention!
You who have seen fit to hear
condemnation upon the head OF
Walter Johnson, popular Wash
tngton club manager, probably
will be disappointed to learn that
Clark Griffith-the man who pays
the freight-is quite pleased with
his pilots progress.
The big boss considers johnson
real dyed-in-the-wool manager
and lauds him for his courage
and initiative. Walters courage
was never doubted. But many
thought that tolerance would
hamper his executive duties.
Juggles Players
Recent developments have
shown differently. In the face of
widespread criticism Johnson has
not hesitated to shift his pitchers,
change his lineup and do every
thing in his power to win ball
games.
Long distanced on another sub
tect-namely the sore arm of
Pitcher Ad Liska-Griff put in a
handsome boost for Skipper John
son.
He said:
you've got to gamble to win
ball games. Maybe some of
Walters guesSes have been bad.
But always remember, you never
have a chance to second guess
in a ball game.
81 like to see a manager take
chances. And fellow who
doesn't. aIibi. Johnson un-
heSitatingly does what he
thinks is the right thing at
the right time. If he succeeds
IFS strategy. If he fails it's
bad management at least
some seem to consider it such!"
johnson has freely admitted
his mistakes this season. Pos
Sibly too freely. Sometimes it's
inadvisable to lay yourself open
to the criticism of certain hard
boiled individuals who never lose
because they have the second
guess!
Griffs Grab Game
Canny Sam Jones was outhit by
the Yankees yesterday, yet he but
foxed the Yankees and bagged a
badly needed ball game. 7 to 3.
Victor Gomez, smooth Yankee
southpaw, was shclled from the
peak in the sixth, Weinert reliev-
ing him. McEvoy finished.
Doubles by West and Myer.
singles by KuheI and Hayes, Lou
Gehrig'S error, Spencers
fielder's choice and Jones base
on balls sent across four runs
and finished Gomez.
Weinert. relieving Gomez, per
mitted another counter when,
after tanning Harry Rice, Joe
Cronin sent high hop to Lazzeri.
Tony wheeled around to force
Jones at second, but second wasn't
covered. Cronin was given a base
, hit as Jones tailed
Two Washington runs in the
first, a brace of Yankee markers
in the third and another enemy
marker in the fourth constituted
the remaining scoring.
No kid with new toy could
possibly be more pleased than is
Babe Ruth when he is sent to
first base.
Babe Plays First
The Babe has always had a
secret desire to patrol the initial
corner. At that he played heads
up ball while covering that as
signment yesterday, handling five
putouts in flawless fashion.
Nor does Ruth's pal, Lou
Gehrig, look bad in the outfield.
BY way of celebrating his tenn
porary transfer Lou yesterday
completed three putouts and
gathered two singles and a triple.
Though touted as 1881 cham
pionship contender of the highest
caliber, those proud New York
Yankees apparently are finding
Washington quite as formidable
as was the case year ago.
In five starts against the Wal
ter Johnsons thus far the NC
Carthymen have lost four times.
A deadlock has been their only
consolation.