Evening star., 1932-05-01
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

~ RING on those Yankees. The
x Griffs claim they are ready for
'em. And as the Griffs have
been moving along recently they
look ready to tackle anything in base
ball way.
There ought to be lots Of action in
this three-game series between john
sons band and the slugging Clan Nc
Carthy due to get under way In Grifnth
Stadium this afternoon. True, the
Yanks licked the Griffs in New York
last Tuesday, but since the Washington
outfit has been steppin' high. Karin
to go places.
Capital fandom gets double-break
today Not only will it see the New
Yorkers performing here for the frst
time in this campaign. but also 1t VIII
see Lloyd Brown, National left-hander,
starting a game for the first time this
season. Manager Walter johnson has
said Brownie will go to the hill against
the Yankees and that settles it.
For long while Brown claimed there
was something wrong with his salary
arm, while others with the club said
the trouble wasn't in Browns wing, but
higher up. They tntimated that the
left-hander was troubled only because
he thought the limb was out OF kelter.
Whoever was right, there's nothing
for the left-hander to worry over now.
That comes from him as well as the
others of the Nationals. So to the hill
he goes. And if he hurls anything like
he did in the early going in the last
campaign he should make hay for him
self and his club.
The Nationals are quite likely to face
the pitching of that old-timer, the left
handed Herb Pennock It was Pennock
who upset them in New York last week,
but not without some help from Charley
taken q new lease on life, was nuisance
taken a new lease on life, was a nuisance
to the Washington club last year. But
1t takes a good pitcher to stop them a
second time this season. None has done
so yet.
DOBBY BURKE, the string bean
- southpaw no longer is a spot"
pitcher. He won't have to wait
until certain clubs, supposedly those of
the weaker sort at bat, come along
until getting the call as a starter.
Authority for this is Pat Charity,
veteran catcher and coach with the
Nationals. Charity, who has handled
many fine pitchers, including Walter
johnson, in his time, has been toiling
with Burke ever since the latter report
ed at training camp a little behind
schedule. And Charity declares the
left-hander now is ready to go places
and do big things in pitching way.
Better than I've ever seen him be-
fore" Pat insists. And he's been look
ing at Bob for several seasons. Hes
-tY,fr 70 10 rrTiFa of
MIN. Walter won't have to bother about
spots for Bobby any more. He's in
shape to face any club in the league"
Charity has Convinced Manager
Johnson of Burke'S fitness to such an
extent that the left-hander might be
called upon to start one OF the tits
of the current Yankee series, perhaps
tomorrow afternoon.
ssVXIHATs all this improvement in
w Burke?" That was shot at Char
rity, and he came right back
with plenty"
Here's an earful of Pats explanation.
First of all, Bobby has more conf
dence in his ability to pitch big league
base ball. That means much to a young
fellow trying to get along in this game.
Bob has had lot Of pitching stuff for
some while, but heretofore he has been
a trifle uncertain Of himself. It's diff
ferent with him now, believe.
Next, Burke has really found a fast
ball that has plenty on it. That was
something he needed. He couldn't get
his fast one by batters In past seasons,
but when he beat the Red Sox here the
other day he did, and 1t looks good
enough to get by batters a lot better
than most of the Red Sox. Burke
always has had q curve, a curve much
more than fair. He has improved that,
too.
And what's more Burke finally has a
change Of pace that ought to fool 'em.
That's something he never had before,
at least not to an extent that meant
much. But Bobbys got 1t now, SO
watch out for him. With the rest of
his rest, 1t ought to make him tough
one out there en- the hill"
There's no doubt as to what Charity
thinks OF Burke's prospects.
CLARK GRIFFITH already looks for
~ ward to next year. The Washing
ton prexy Is scanning the records
OF his players on the Chattanooga farm
and their performances to date lead him
to believe some will be ripe for service
with the 1888 edition of the Nationals.
The sweetest one Grif1th sees among
the Lookouts Is young Cecil Travis, now
third-sacking for the Southern Associa-
ton club This strapping youth, who
will net be 10 until next August accord
ing to Griffith, is fielding great guns
and swinging against the ball for the
fine average of .403.
His hitting has been timely, too, for
he Is leading the circuit at driving runs
across, having sent over "a. And he Is
hitting for distance as he shares with
Harley Boss, another the Nationals have
q string on, the doubles record, each
having smacked 10. Boss, playing a