The Washington times., 1932-04-06
TEAM BETTER
THAN 1881
OUTFIT
BY GARRETT WATERS
Times staff Correspondent

KNOXVILLE, Tenn, April 6.
Manager Walter Johnson told
Knoxville newspaper men today
that the Washington Griffmen
are a team of many possibilities
as the championship season
nears.
Possibilities, yes and the best
thing johnson said was that the
Griffmen can win the pen
nant this year. Whether they
will or not depends on the CO.
operation of the players and the
successful showing of the teams
small pitching staff,
The Griffs, for fact, hold
plenty of possibilities towards
coping the gonfalon this season.
The club, in its six weeks and
more of training work, looks
greatly improved over 1881, but
uncertainty still exists in regards
to the pitching it will receive
with only General Alvin Crowder,
Lefty Lloyd Brown and big Fred
Marberry as sure starters.
Depend on Rockies
AS Johnson told the Knoxville
scribes, help must come from
Monte Weaver, Carl Fischer and
the lesser lights, Bobby Burke,
Frank Ragland and Bob Fried
rich, if complete success is to be
enjoyed.
Indifferent showings from any
of these fellows and even from
Crowder, Brown and Marberry,
and the Griffs might just as
we'll resign themselves to third
and fourth place berth, which
would not do at all when every
thing is considered.
The rest of his club is all set,
quite as Johnson says. No pilot
could possess a better outfield
combination than Heine Manush,
Sammy West and Carl Reynolds,
while the infield of Joe Judge,
Buddy Myer, Joe Cronln and
Ossie Bluege is blessing, to say
the least, particularly with every
man in it hitting and fielding
better than ever.
Good CatcherS
And with Roy Spencer and Moe
Berg behind the bat, not to men.
ton the fact that a pretty capable
little player is on hand in the
person of Howard Maple, this de-
partment can be said to be well
taken care of.
In summary it narroWs down to
the same old story that it'll be
the pitching which will make or
mar the GriffS this season. John
son is still after one more hurler
to balance the staff. He may or
may not get him, but regardless.
pitching is going to count most
in the campaign which is ap'
preaching rapidly.
After today'S game with the
Knoxville Smokes, the GrlffS hop
a train for home, where the BoS-
ton Braves will be met tomorrow
at Griffith Stadium. AS it will
be the teams first appearance be-
fore local fans for the new sea-
san, the game should offer all
those who turn out an idea Of
what Manager Johnson's entry
will look like to them for the i'm
portant schedule on the way.
Friedrich to Pitch
Bob Friedrich was to be Man
ager JohnSon's hurler this after
noon. The yCungster may be sent
the route, but if not Frank Rag"
land will finish. Monte Weaver
was supposed to have gotten the
call today, but because he had
already made plans to go home.
Manager Johnson pitched him
during the 4irst five innings yes
terday.
Weaver's absence will mark
the third from the team at
this time. Dave Harris is at his
home in Greensboro, N. c., be-
cause of the illness of his sister,
while Joe Cronin is at Washing
ton takinG a rest cure. Weaver
is taking time off" to visit his
folks at .ansing, N. c., prior to
in time for the open
ing of the regular campaign.