Evening star., 1932-01-08

mucn IN Jne running 4o4 viz
American League pennant, Walter
johnson, its manager, believes.
BroadcaSting from Station
WJSV last night, Johnson, in
his first aerial interview OF the
year concerning the Nationals
prospects for 1882, waxed enthusi-
astic in his praise of his charges
and expressed utmost confidence
in their ability to battle gallantly
for the flag.
"Washington will be a pennant con-
tender in every way" declared the
manager. "I am confident we Will nave
the fine defensive ability that marked
our play last year. look Tor our pltcn-
ing to be even better than last year
when II was splendid. We are likely 10
he a better hitting club and more
dangerous ON, the bases. In fact, we'll
show 'em a great ball club this year.
washington, believe, will show
more Improvement over 1881 than the
Athletics or the Yankees and once more
those will be the clubs to beat. Ihe
Yankees were powerful last year ana
will be SO again, but I feel sure we Will
he able to get by them this time. And
those AS will be as dangerous as ever.
Don't expect them to slump because
thev took an unexpected licking In the
world series last October. But wen pe
ready to give them battle.
yes sir, barring accident Washing
ton will be in there fighting from the
bell and look for great run py the
club all the way"
Sees Punch in Reynolds
hot Ipht
Carl REYNOLDS and Johnny Kerr 10 the
Nationals from the White Sox In ex-
change for Bump Hadley. Sam Jones
and Jack Hayes should beneft the
washington Club greatly according to
johnson. TIE manager deems REYNOLDS
a great righthand hitter, Just the type
OF batter needed TO give MS Oal CluO
the punch that tells.
Gefed whether he considered the price
raid .fo- Reynolds and Kerr, the utlnty
infie,der. high, johnson reminded the
interviewer that in base ball the cost Is
not so important as the matter OF help
ing vour club. For long time we have
baen irving TO get hign-class right
hand hitting outdelder, ana EeynoloS
seems Just the type desired" he SAID;
awe gave for him two pitchers that had
not done so much for us and an IN
fielder who was not in the game reg
ularly Should Reynolds come through,
IS am confident he will, he would be
worth far more than what washington
gave for him"
Johnson still thinks Hadley should
become a great pitcher. He has all the
natural ability in the world" Walter
contended. but after his first season
with us he simply could not deliver.
And we gave him every opportunity TO
make good. too Washington did not
seem to be the spot for him"
Jones, around the 40-year-mark, prob
sblv is about through IS big league
Lurle- Johnson thought. The Wash
ington manager spoke highly OF Hayes.
'The best fielding second baseman I've
seen In wears" said Walter, and flne
boy with It. 1t really hurt me TO nave
10 part with Jack, but that's base pal!
I hope he makes good in every way.
Has No Pitching Worries.
Although he will take to the South
srn training camp a small squad, in
Guiding few pitchers, the scarcity OF
material causes johnson no worry. we
will have few recruits. Virtually every
man with the club is an experienced big
leaRuer and we will round out clever
club despite the small size Of the squad.
AS a matter of fact, we should do bet
ter in training than the clubs with big
squads, for much more attention than
LAS to pitchers, why should man
aser with trio including Crowder,
Marberry and Brown for the foundation
OF a pitching staff lose sleep? CroWder
already is conditioning himself at his
North Carolina home and has written
President Griffith he will be in great
trim when he reports at camp. Last
year Crowder, I believe, still felt tne
effects Of an automobile Smash-up ne
# IN, Lot an 1Q20 hllt hP should be
a quite At this time. Brown and Mar
III berry are horses for work and they II
III get plenty Of it, too.
II think we may look for much from
M Fischer this year. This young LETT
handler has the right stuff and with
3 season and a half Of big league eX-
perience back Of him it will be about
time for him to produce. Then Burke
y should be of much help and have
good reason to think Weaver, the big
fellow we bought from Baltimore, will
Ss make good. Weaver not only has natural
ability as pitcher, but he also possesses
a good head. He knows how to pitch.
Wen have a staff that will measure up
with the best am sure"
Battle for First Base.
With Manush, West and Reynolds
N playing, the Washington outfield will
" compare favorably with any, johnson
feels. West is one Of the best in the
business" said Walter, and now that
his throwing arm is well again after
an operation he should have his great
est year. Manush I am ce-ta n, will
regain his batting form and help much
at putting over runs" Bluege Cronin
and Myer will be back in the infeld but
Judge and Kuhel will fight it out for
the first base job during the training
campaign.
This Kuhel gave good performance
last year after taking over first base
when Judge became ILL.," remarked
Walter, "and regard his fine pros
pect. But they have been counting
Judge out of the picture for some
years, yet he always has come back
strong He may do so again"
Spencer again will have to do most
of the catching for the Nationals
johnson told But he likes hare
work" Walter added. The manager
revealed that in Almond, now with
Chattanooga, the Washington farm, the
club has a good receiver in reserve tc
call on should Bolton not prove
capable understudy to the frst-strini
Spencer. "Boltel, VIC know, can hit,
said Walter, bat he lacks polish as &
receiver. Almond, while not so stronl
at bat, is a good receiver and can holl
runners TO bases. That type of catcher
might prove handy to have around"