The Washington times., 1931-03-26
MYER FACING
FIGHT FOR
BERTH
BY JOE HOLMAN
Times Staff Correspondent

SSNSAAN
baSeman.
AS a result of yesterdays show
ing against Baltimore Manager
Walter johnson today was con-
Sidering keeping Hayes on the
midway bag for an indefinite
period.
81 haven't made a definite
decision" he admits, "but
Jackie may stay put for a
while. He's impressed me
plenty and is about due real
trial"
Myers a good ball player
and 1 know it. But he will
have to step fast to beat
Jackie out for the job"
Increased batting power along
with superlative fielding form
argues in Hayes favor. Having
added some seven pounds during
the past year, he is stronger than
ever and takes a freer cut at the
ball.
A Hayes-Myer duel, which has
been brewing for some two
seasons, was predicted late last
season when Jack, after a poor
start. rounded into stride and
showed greatly improved hitting
ability.
Best On Twin Plays
Defensively the Clanton, Ala,
product rates with basebalPS best
and is said to be one of the great
est double-play men in the game
today. While Buddy" remained
on the sidelines because OF an
upset stomach yesterday, Jackie
played bang-up ball.
He singled and doubled his
first two times up as Washing
ton trimmed Baltimore, 8 to 4.
His hardest hit ball, however,
was in the fourth frame when
he lined deep to Gill in left. The
drive would have been good for
at least a double in Griffith
Stadium. He flied high to center
in the sixth and fouled to Stroner
in the eighth.
Pitcher Lloyd Brown is to re-
ceive the sternest test yet &C
corded Washington pitcher
Sunday when, Baltimore and
Washington meet in Gulfport.
Brownie is to pitch seven innings.
General Crowder works the last
two.
Fred Marberry and Lynn Grit
fifth likely will divide Saturdays
assignment against the Orioles
here.
Sees Improved Power
Greatly improved power IN
Washington's 1881 lineup is pre-
dicted by President Clark Grif-
fifth.
81 look for Sam West, Joe
Cronin, Heine Manush and our
rinch- hitters, Dave Harris and
Harry Rice, to get plenty OF
distance behind their cuts"
he cOnfesses. "POwer was the
main thing we lacked last year.
Once we get extra base knocks
into our batting order We will
be hard to beat"
Because Sam West has returned
to form, damaged left arm ana
all, the washington Club has de-
cided to call off negotiations for
Denny Southern, Washington
boy and Baltimore outfileder.
When Vests arm was still
question mark last winter, Prexy
Griffith asked George Weiss,
Baltimore's general manager, for
first call on Denny's services.
Griffmen Enthusiastic
Had West been doubtful there
is little question but what South
ern today would be sporting a
Washington uniform. AS it stands,
however, Sam has pulled a note
worthy comback, and Denny, for
a time at least, is doomed to the
minors.
Washington players today
were all enthusiasm following
yesterdays Slugging outbreak
against Baltimore.
irving Hadley's pitching, too,
came in for plenty Of praise.
Bump started slowly, but showed
plenty when he got warmed up"
Catcher Roy Spencer declares.
"He was really shooting that fast
one in there from the third
inning on"
What impressed most about
Hadley was his agility in pouncing
on topped balls and bunts, real
criterion of his physical trim.
Also, he whitfield the side in the
fifth frame.
Outstanding extensively, from
WaShington'S standpoint, was
Heine Manush'S home run with
two on in the second inning.
Sam West also contributed a
circuit blow in the seventh
period. CrOnin was on at the
time.
Boyle and Stroner hit round
distance clouts for Baltimore.
washington forged ahead early
and was never seriously threat
ened until the ninth, when five
hits, two of them good for extra
bases, cost Bobby Burke three
4QlI1S