Evening star., 1933-07-18
HOLDS NAT-YANKS
T|[TS WILL DECIDE
Present Slump Nothing to
Worry About, Washington
Prexy Contends.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

AN worst stump OF Cne sea-
v Y son, Capital fandom In
general is doing a lot Of
moaning, but Washington's great
est base ball fan has yet to join
the crying" oarty. Clark Griffith,
president of the Nationals, with
head up and chin out, advises all
to wait until next month before
figuring on pennant winner in
the American League"
According to the Washington
prexy, his Nationals will get flag
or fall back in their August play,
with their next set Of battles with
the Yankees just about deciding
the outcome of the race.
mo use worrying about this present
slump" declares Griffith. Il know We
have looked right bad at home the
past week, what with losing five Of
our last eight games. But I've never
seen q real good ball club that didn't
have its slump at some time during .
beason. It always picks up. though.
Ind the Nationals will. We have a
bal good ball club here.
1T is just Is well we're having our
eiump now, since 1t seems we must 60
through one. Even though it lasts
little longer, we won't be 50 far back
xh~ ka $ov M
10 climb again. No, sir" says the
prexy emphatically When the Ma
tionals come out Of this slump, they'll
be in great position to carry on q
vigorous fight for the pennant."
Must Trim Yanks Decisively.
VY1HILE Grifith would like to see
wv his club pick up a little speed
in its campaigning against the
Westerners on the ball lot here, he
contends that the five games the Ma
tionals have with the Yankees next
month will about settle the argument
between the outfits that this morning
were tied for the league leadership.
I'VE have four games with the YAM
KEGS in New York and one with them
here before we start on our last West
ern trip of the season next. month" :"
Griffith points out, land in these games
believe the pennant winner will be
determined. If we are successful-and
the way we have trimmed the New
York club so far we should bel think
we would go on through the West about
as well as We did on the last trip.
After that, the Nationals would have
little to bother about.
To get the pennant this year, I'll
say the Nationals must beat the Yam
KEGS decisively in that stretch Of five
games next month" Griffith figures
Winning four of the five undoubtedly
such an extent 1t would be almost In
vincible from then on to the finish.
Likewise four defeats would just about
take the heart out of those Yankees
Let the fans wait until that string
OF games is out Of the way before they
begin picking Washington or New York
to win," admonishes the Nationals big
boss And they shouldn't be down.
cast because of the present slump. Our
club will get out Of 1t soon and start
winning regularly again"
Six More Games Against West.
"A FTER their motor excursions and
~ fishing parties Of yesterday, the
NatlonaiS were TO get pacK 10
the business of base ball this after
noon and stick to it on the home lot
through Sunday. Two games remain
to round out the series Of five with the
Browns, then will come four in, row
with the Tigers.
The first three days of next week,
the Nationals will be in Philadelphia
to play four games with the Athletics.
A double header is scheduled in Shibe
Park next Monday. that the storm
stopped tie game of June may be
played of.
With only a game day listed dur
ing the remainder of the stand here,
the Nationals should be well fixed for
pitchers Excepting Whitehill, who
hurled Sunday, Manager Cronin will
have available for duty at any time
all his regular starters should Jack
Russell be lifted from the relief ranks.
as expected, to begin this afternoons s
engagement. And Whitehill will be in
line for work again Thursday. when
the Tigers open here.
Cronin has no pitching worries. Il
only the Nationals bats would start
producing base hits again everything
~L~..x A. Lii .l,,h