Evening star., 1932-08-07

II
up today over Tommy Bridges
failure to get that perfect
game Friday after the Tiger
pitcher had retired 26 Nationals in a
row. Manager johnson was freely
criticized for sending in a pinch hitter
for Bob Burke, and Dave Harris, the
managers pick, was censured in no
mild manner for making the Washing
ton clubs lone hit.
Both johnson and Harris were held
guilty Of poor sportsmanship by fol-
lowers Of the Tigers and both were
rounoly booed by the fans in the stands
throughout today's game.
Detroit base ball writers, however, re-
garded Johnson's move and Harris
effort as sportSmanlike in every way
and SO did the person most interested
in the incident, Bridges.
Here's what Doc Hoist, writing in the
Detroit Times, had to say, in part
Harris. had chance to make him
self the outstanding gentleman Of base
bali by striking out.
But Dave Harris Is a ball player
and when one is a ball player one Is
10 VIII u DdIl ~
no time to be socially minded. So Dave
singled to left, spelling a perfectly
pitched game.
Harris was a perfect example Of why
base ball is respected by an entire
nation Down in his heart. Dave prob
ably wanted to strike out. But he
didn't. He proved himself heel, which
he isn't.
1T is such acts that make base ball
respected. nation knows it Is watch
ing an honest game.
Had Harris deliberately struck out,
base ball would have become merely a
wrestling match between Jim Londos
and me-"
DRIDGES' side of the incident is
- given by Sam Greene. in the
Detroit News today. Greene wrote:
Everybody seemed to think that
Harris was guilty Of poor sportsmanship
everybody except Bridges The man
to whom the lone hit had been most
costly did not grumble nor complain,
did not argue that he had been wrongly
used.
III they can get a hit off you,'
drawled Bridges, then you don't de-
serve a no-hit game. 1t wouldn't be
worth anything, If you didn't earn it.
Harris was sent up there to hit and he
did only what he was supposed to do.
I'm sorry l couldn't get him out, but
that's the way it goes.
Abuse was still being heaped on
Harris by the fans and it is only fair
that he should be given a chance to
speak for himself.
"'If Walter hadn't wanted me to hit
said the washington pinch-batter' he
wouldn't have sent me up there. only
nj n fnIIOn
on Bridges, sure, but that's base ball.
There was some criticism of john
son for picking a hitter of Harris
ability with his club Is runs behind
and two cut in the ninth johnson
never before was accused of lack OF
sportsmanship and it is probable that
he regrets Harris single as much as
any one else. He simply followed the
routine of all managers OF using
pinch hitter for a weak hitting pitcher
when their clubs are behind in the last
inning
"Besides, as Bridges said. there
shouldn't be a no-hit game II anyone
Of the opposing side is capable OF get
ting a hit.
Five games in four days with the
Indians. That's a big order for the
Nationals, but the heightened series
will give them little better chance to
wrest that third position from Peck'S
pack.
To do so. however, JohnsOn's jousters
must step out to play much snap
pier brand of base ball than they nave
thus far this trip.
With a set starting tomorrow In
Cleyeland's municipal stadium, the new
home of the Indians, increased by a
game over the original schedule and
Will Lloyd Brown. premier left-hander
of the Washington curving corps, not
yet fully recovered from coId con-
tracted in Chicago, Manager johnson
must change to some extent the pitch
ing program he had planned for the
remainder Of his clubs second invasion
of the West this season.
Tommy Thomas will open fire IN
one of the games Of the Sunday dou-
ble-header in the new park on the Erie
lake front. II will be his regular turn
for q fling Either Brown or Monte
Weaver will go in the other game.
Brown, who was blasted from the hill
in Detroit in the fourth inning OF Fri.
days route. will be the choice should
he feel better.
The pitcher OF this pair held out
of the Sunday tussling will be the Sc
lection for the starting role In the
Monday engagement.
TROwDEE couldn't keep Stone of
~ the RUNWAY in the week end tuSsle.
Jack tripled, singled and doubled in
succession. then walked. Whitehill
caught Crowder mapping in the third
inning and trapped him of first for an
easy rundown Rhiel got an inf1eld
single in the Tiger fifth to move St1ne
to third base with two out. but Bluege
came through with a fine stop OF
Schubles hot one and threw for
force plav at second d. Berg had two
men on his back as he rumbled down
to first base in the seventh session -.
His bounder was fumbled by Rhiel, yet
Soluble recovered the ball and tagged
Moe with plenty to spare =: Cronin got
himself that stolen base in the eighth
because Soluble was unable to cling
to Hayworth's throw to the middle sack
In the eighth, Berg was able TO
show enough foot TO run down Stone
for an out after dropping third strike
on the Tiger But Stone seemed in
no mood to sprint West wasn't
feeling so well again today so Harris
was sent to center field, but Sammy