Evening star., 1932-04-08

- had last year and it's a bal
club that will have the fans
talking about it before long"
That's what Manager Walter
Johnson thinks of his 1882 Ma
tionals, who, after three more
exhibition games-one with the
Orioles here today-Will jump into
the thick of the fighting for the
American League pennant.
How do you figure your club better
this year?" the pilot was asked.
We'll. there is great improvement
extensively and l believe We'll be
stronger in defense" johnson replied.
You remember last year our outfield
was spotty at times with West out oc-
caSionaliy and ManuSh never in proper
condition to give the best account of
himself as a fielder. Both are right
this time
What's all this we've been hearing
about pitching weakness?" was fired at
the Washington field general.
"A lot of stuff that may not prove
quite right" came back Walter. of
course, l could use another seasoned
pitcher But where is one to be picked
up? However, I have Marberry and
Crowder in great shape to start the
season. Crowder probably is somewhat
more advanced than Marberry. Then
we have Weaver, the former Oriole, and
Fischer, the young left-hander. They
certainly mean something.
This Weaver especially tickleS me-
He's not f1aShy or sensational pitcher,
but he knows how to pitch and has
plenty of natural ability. When the
pinch comes give me pitcher with a
head on his shoulders and good, steady
stuff in his arms. He'll likely do bet
ter than one who flares up like the
greatest ever one moment and fades to
almost nothing the next.
I'm not worrying about the pitchers
have right now, that is the exper
! to step out and give the AS and the
Yankees plenty of fight.
Il firmly believe my ball club Is bet
| ter than it was last year. And it won't
be long before Washington fans are
believing that, too"
A T least one Of the Nationals sore
"A pitching arms is about healed, that
hanging to the left side of Bobby
Burke. The stringbean southpaw went
through a long workout in Washington
yesterday and following 1t strode to the
clubs chieftain standing in the dugout
and with a broad grin on his face re-
marked, ITS all right, now, Walter" :"
Was Bob happy? Like a youngster
with new roller skates. It's the first
time this Spring that arm has been
right" Bob declared. Butts it's fine
now. Why, I knew I was throwing in
that workout with Ainsmith Not
twinge, not a pain. Everything nat
ural."
Brown, who claims he has been
sporting a sore arm for some time, Is
yet to be heard from. He's still In
Chattanooga getting treatments from
his favorite muscle manipulator Ac-
cording to President Grif1th of the Ma
! tlonals, Brownie could have been given
the same treatment in Washington he
is getting in Chattanooga, but the
pitcher seemed to feel that whatever
was done must be done by the Look
outs trainer. So the club boss yielded
to Brownies mental Quirk and left the
pitcher South
The left-hander Is expected back with
the Nationals in day or two and
perhaps that fiinging wing will not be
so wobbly.
DRES1DENT GRIFFITH Is taking
- bLl1o SlIudLiOI1 10 IlcdTL 10
such an extent that he intends to
yank from the Chattanooga farm young
Bud Thomas, the Charlottesville hurler
trained in Dixie by the Nationals for
the Lookouts.
Instead of dropping Thomas OF at
Chattanooga early this week as orig
inally intended, the club carried him
on to Washington and the formality of
shifting his contract from the Lookouts
to the Nationals soon is to be accom-
pliShed. With such a slender staff at
hand the regulars will be spared as
much as possible outside actual compe-
tition, SO Thomas will be employed as
batting practice moundsman.
JOHNSON is not yet ready to name
the National who will care for the
first base post when his club tackles
the Red Sox Monday in the national
inaugural of the major league season
and perhaps will not make his selection
until after the game with Buffalo on
Sunday that will wind up the Wash
ington outfits exhibition series.
Walter says Kuhel is in condition TO
play again, and he is confident the
youngster would go we'll in the cham
pionship race. But the manager also
is impressed by the brilliant work the
veteran Judge is doing at the initial
sack and also has a healthy respect for
Joe's batting ability.
According to johnson, picking the
first baSeman for the start of the sea
son is far from easy, and he isn't likely
TO DO anything definite until the eve of
the campaign.
A LII those glowing reports that came
"A out of the South regarding the
Nationals punch at bat were sub
| stantiated yesterday when the WASH
ington club showed its wares for the
first time this year before home crowd.
The Nationals helped themselves to l6
SafetieS, seven for extra bases but the
Boston Braves were in a hitting mood
! too, and copped. 10 to 9.
Fifteen hits were made by the Braves
l3 off Fred Marberry who toiled for
/ five frames. Fred was socked Savagely
/ in the second and third innings, but
each time the Nationals got back at
! Tom Zachary, former teammate. to
/ deadlock the game. However, Fred
taltered again in the fifth which brought
about his own and his clubs undoing
Crowder started the sixth with a pass
/ that was converted into a run putting
the Braves four to the good and the
best the Nationals could get of the left
handed Ed Brandt amounted to three
tallies cleaned from six hits in the fifth
and sixth sessions.
Had Marberry been able to squelch
Pinky Hargrave, former Griff, and the
venerable Maranville. the game would
have ended differently. Each Of these
worthies collected three hits and be-
tween them they propelled seven Boston
runs across besides toting three over
Themselves
Tomorrow the Nationals will be back
on their own lot for their wtnd-up
I t,,crIn La 1,itk tho Orinlne