Evening star., 1932-04-01
CLUB'SFATE RESTS
ON WEAVER'S SKILL
Yanks Loom More Formi.
dabIe and Macks Continue
Powerful.
BY TOM DOERER.

~ ILOXI, Miss, April 1.-Your
X Nationals, h ding for
- home tonight, will bring a
mightier right-hand punch
to make them a more formidable
nine than was knocking at the
top of the league last season,
while the teams improvement in
pitching strength will depend
upon the right hand of Monte
Weaver, the boy from the Inter
national League.
That's the situation as is agreed upon
by critics and the management of the
Nationals. Walter johnson, pilot, sub
scribeS to the idea and elaborates upon
1t with the statement that If Monte
Weaver comes through as expected and
Lloyd Brown and Carl Fischer pitch the
ball they are capable Of, the club will
be fighting for the flag at the final bell
There is little doubt the serious wor-
ries of Clark Griffith and Walter john
son concern pitchers. All of the nice
things in mans vocabulary can be
said about this fine set of rookie pitch
will hide the fact they are at least a
year away from the large tent.
Depending Upon Weaver.
Grif has been boosting his pitching
and johnson has been talking of the
fine things he is expecting from Fischer
and Brown, but they are only hopes.
When the pitching situation is sifted
down, the results show that Grif Is
depending upon the reformed professor,
Monte Weaver, to keep his hurting staff
bobbing on the surface. And that's
ticklish.
while almost absolute dependence can
be placed on Fred Marberry and Alvin
Crowder, as a result Of their showing
last year and their fine physical form
OF this season, it is going to take better
pitching on the part of Brown, Burke
and Fischer to keep the team in there
fighting the Yanks and the Athletics.
Bobby Burke, the southpaw who in
scribed a no-hit no-run game into the
books last season, does not seem to
fit in any of the plans. While it may
not be intentional on the part Of Mana
ger johnson, little is said of the Ian
guild left-hander. Burke, it is feeling
here, would be a much better kdrler
with another outfit, the idea being that
new scenes might stir him from his
apparent lethargic state.
Much Hope for Fischer.
BIT upon Fischer is placed great
{ ! CT hope by the Washington mana
E.. Fischer should win us many
g. es this year." said Johnson Carl
i II good form. has taken a different
st'-tude toward his job and shows
every indication of doing something
this year which will carry us on to the
flag"
Moe Berg's physical condition seems
to please johnson and Griff, which
means the big Gotham backstop will
relieve Roy Spencer on the necessary
occations. There seems to be no worry
at all over the backstop department by
Sir Walter.
Buddy Myer shows improvement in
the field and at bat Ossie Bluege's
continued steadineSs at the hot corner
and Cronins improvement over last
year, are some of Johnson's reasons
for believing that the Griffs will be
knocking at the pennant door just
as soon as the season opens.
Johnnie K.err'S presence on the bench
helps. but there is little doubt Griff
would do g. nice piece of business or pay
tidy sD1 for another young man to
be sitting around when leg goes bad
or an arm becomes sore.
While the Nationals probably are the
best defensive club in the loop, an in
jury at Tne OF the important spots in
the infie9d would shatter that reputa-
tion for Che duration Of the absence Of
the veteran.
Fsrst Base Stin q Guess.
What IL happening at first base Is
guess ORE as good as another. Grif
insists Joe Judge gets an equal chance
with Kuhel at the first base job. So
does Johnson. Judge does not seem to
be satisfied with the outlook, apparently
taking the attitude he is being used
until young Kuhel rounds into better
physical form. But Griff is adamant in
his stand that the job Is open to either.
Where the greatest dependence of all
IS being placed is that right-hand bat
ting punch in the outfield, Carl Rey-
nolds. There is no hiding the fact the
offensive hope of 1882 is being placed on
Carl. 1t is the belief that last years
bunting was tossed away partly through
the inability of the Griffs to get a right
hand puncher with power.
Whether Reynolds will come through
or whether his hitting will play only
minor part in the scrap is question.
But the mightier right-hand punch Is