The Washington times., 1931-05-18
HIS HITTING
SUBJECT Of
MUCH TALK
By JOE HOLMAN

CHICAGO, May ia decision
to stop choking his bat and to
start swinging freely has trans
formed Ossie Bluege into
slugger.
During the past two seasons,
Ossie has been something of a
snap hitter. Naturally powerful,
he has not been putting heft
behind his swing. Consequently
Manager Walter Johnson has
been forced to look elsewhere for
long-distance batting.
Ever the student, however,
Ossie studied the situation, and
when the Griffmen started their
current Western tour, he said:
"Tm going to start swinging
for all I'm worth. believe
1 can peel off some extra dis.
tance hits that will help u.s."
GO to it. OSS," Manager
Walter johnson rejOined heart
lily. I'VE can use all the power
you've got"
Suiting the action to the word,
Bluege surprised his mates by
taking terrific swipe at the
ball. Almost Immediately results
were forthcoming.
Basks in Spotlight
Since hiking westward Bluege
has hammered no fewer than
three round trips, boosting his
seasonal total to six. Latest sta
tistics show that he is stepping
along with such distinguished
sluggers as Babe Ruth. Lou Geh
rig and others who annually baSk
in the spotlight.
Too, his opportune doubles and
timely singles have been whistling
to the outfield like bullets and
have played their part in pro-
noting more than one Washing
ton rally during the past several
days.
81 not only get longer hits,
but 1 meet the ball Oftener.
Hereafter I'm cutting for dis
tance. It's my best bet any
way you take it,"
When Pitcher Ad Liska re
Joined the Griffmen in st. Louis.
Walter Tauscher Immediately
was sent to Chattanooga on "a
hour option.
Which means that its squarely
up to understand Ad to make
good. Should the affable sub
mariner fail to come through
Tauscher probably will be re-
called and Liska sent to the
Lookouts.
'My arm feels great" Ad
insisted this morning. "And
I'm going to try to prove it
during batting practice tOmOr-
row. Overridden ligament we're
diagnosed as the cause of my
trouble by Doc Mclean.
1--WE kept myself in shape
and have been working out
with Lincoln, of the Nebraska
State League. After pitching
several rounds of batting prac-
tice against that team con-
vinced myself 1 was ready to
go. Consequently 1 asked Wal
ter Johnson permission to re-
Join the club and he granted it,"
Bronzed and highly optimistic.
Liska may yet prove big help
to his ball club. His peculiar de-
livery is singularly effective
against certain teams calculated
to give the Griffs a run for
their money this season.
Washington players are having
their troubles staying put among
the American Leagues five lead
ing batSmen.
Drop From Leaders
Sam West was fourth in line
Friday. Saturday he dropped
from grace and Joe Cronin sup
planted him.
AS a result of yesterdays hit
less performance in the st. Louis
double header, however. Joe, too,
Is in something of a rut, that is if
you can call a $50 clip in the rut.
Even at this early date hot
weather is gripping historic old
st. Louis. The thermometer reg
istered 80 and better yesterday
as the Griffs Sweated through
their bargain bill with the Browns.
"It certainly got me-" Joe
CrOnin painted in the locker
room after the ball game. 81
guess we've got to get used to
IL, though. Summers coming
and thereIl be more weather
like it,"
ToDAYS SCRATCHES