Evening star., 1932-04-26
ROOKIE NOW ASSET
TO PITCHING STAFF.
Box Corps May Be Further
Boosted by Friedrich's
Mastery of Control.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

n IEW YORK, April 26.-Add
M to the list of Washington
i Y pitchers available for re-
lief work the name of
Frank Ragland. The big right
handler, picked up last year from
the Nationals farm at Chatta-
nooga, at last is ready to give a
good account of himself if needed.
Authority for this is none other than
Pat Charity, veteran catcher and
coach with the Johnson band, who per-
sonany has had charge of the develop
ment OF the big recruit.
This big boy finally is right" de-
clared Pat today. He's got that fast
ball now that he didn't have down
South In training and that was all
ne needed to become a pitcher Rags
should be just the fellow to stick in
there when the going gets too hot for
the other one on that hill"
All OF which is pleasing news to
Manager Walter Johnson. Though the
held boss of the Nationals is rather
confident his club will get along right
well IN the present long string of games
with its most formidable rivals, the
Yankees and the Athletics, he has SO
lew hurlers in all that getting one
aole 10 relieve the regular starter of
the quite possible task of doubling in
relief work boosts his hope of success
WHlLE Ragland came up from Chat
wv tanooga highly recommended,
only as a likely relief toiler
rather than starter of games, his de-
yeiopment was so Disappointing to
johnson during the training weeks
that the manager feared the Lookout
graduate would not make the big
league grade in any respect. Ragland
had only a wrinkle of a curve, but fair
control and nothing at all like a fast
ball
But one thing Ragland had from
the start, confidence in himself and
grim determination to overcome all
handicaps. Also when he finally got
under fire in the exhibition tilts he
quickly revealed that he was not to be
ruft1ed by the seriousness of any sit
uatlon In which he might find himself.
All this aroused an admiration for
Ragland in Charity, the cagey coach.
so that he took complete charge of the
big rookie
Gharrity's efforts with Ragland have
been fruitful it seems.
Rags now can show real curve. his
control is greatly improved and he has
a fast one that may be thrown past
batters OF the opposition, says his
teacher. Such an equipment backed by
his fine poise and spirit ought to make
Ragland handy hurler in a pinch.
Charity says so and Manager John
son believes It, too.
THOSE paying particular attention
L to young Washington pitching tai
ent believe Bob Friedrich, one-time
Holy Cross University star, who came to
the Nationals by way of Chattanooga,
may soon blossom into a worthwhile
big Lacquer
There seemed little chance for Fried
rich to stick in the majors during his
training career early in the Spring, but
now Manager johnson and the coaches
are tabbing the young Hurler as an ex-
cellent prospect who should be ready
for thorough trial soon
Friedrich has an assortment of
mound material up that right sleeve
of his and recently his control, which
was so poor it nearly tossed him back
to the minors while he was in train
ing, has been remarkably improved
What impresses Manager johnson
most, however, so far as Friedrich is
concerned Is the vast amount OF pitch
ing intelligence the youngster appears
to possess.
He knows what to do when he's out
there working" is the way johnson
sizes up Bob, "and with his natural
ability he should go far. Only lack of
control has held him back. Now that
he is better able to get the ball where
it should go I may soon find spot
for him in q regular game.
"I could use another starter against
some of the not-so-strong clubs and
Friedrich may prove just the one I'm
locking for"
4 NENT that postponement here yes
n terday-the Yankee management
called off the game at noon because
of the clammy atmosphere, but there
could have been no clash anyway, for it
was raining at the time the engagement
was scheduled to get under way. john
SOP plans not to risk employing Lloyd
Brown against the hard-hitting New
Yorkers. This southpaw, who claims
his arm still troubles him, will be re-
served for starting service against the
Us later in the week.
This means that tomorrow the Ma
tIonals will have on the hurting hill
Carl Fischer, the port-sider who turned
in such a neat victory over the Red SoX
in Griffith Stadium last week end. AS
originally slated, the veteran Al Crowder
was to face the Yanks in the series