Evening star., 1933-03-18
CLASS Of LEAGUE,
BOY BOSS CLAIMS
Sees SeWeM, Berg and Bolton
Superior to Any Staff
In Circuit.
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

n YEW ORLEANS, March 10
M Washington's Ball Club will
1 show the rest of the Amer
lean League plenty of high
class catching this year, accord
ing to Joe Cronin. The boy field
boss firmly believes the Nationals
have rounded up great lot OF
backstopping talent that will out
shine any other squad OF catchers
in the circuit.
Cronin regards his staff, that consists
of Luke Sewell, Cliff Bolton and Moe
Berg a remarkable collection, especially
in these days when the minors are
sending out so few catchers measuring
up to major league requirements.
Sewell and Berg, in Cronin's opinion,
compare favorably as receivers with any
others in the American league, and Boil
ton, the manager, declares Is the most
improved young catcher in the busi-
ness. No other club, Cronin contends,
will put forth such sterling crew of
backstoppers during the flag campaign.
Look the field over" argues Joe,
"and you won't find any other club with
three high-class receivers. In fact,
most Of them will have to depend upon
one catcher virtually all the time. The
Yanks, AS and Tigers really have only
one-man staffs. Dickey and Cochrane
are clever behind the bat and sturdy
hitters. The Tigers have capable man
in Hayworth, Berry means much to
the White Sox and Tate is Red Sox
mainstay. But none Of these catchers
can be expected to carry on at top speed
without help. Where they'll get that
help is something the managers Of their
clubs still have to worry about.
ss77HE Indians and the Browns are
i the only rivals of the Nationals to
possess better than one-man
catching staffs. Manager Peckinpaugh
got good man in Spencer and he kept
one in Myatt. In st. Louis Manager
Kulefer has a capable performer in
Rick Ferrell, and Ruel. picked up dur
ing the Winter, should be of valuable
assistance. But with three-man staff
and all Of its members more than
merely good, the Nationals look to me
far better of than any others in the
league"
Sewell is just about the best receiver
In the business, in Cronin's opinion.
The washington manager, ever since
he has been In the junior major circuit,
has thought highly of Luke's ability
behind the bat and the deal transfer
ring the catcher from the Indians to
the Nationals was the first suggested
by Cronin after assuming the clubs
helm.
He holds his pitchers up wonder
fully" says Cronin in speaking OF
Sewell. Luke has that happy knack Of
instilling confidence in the man he
works with, lacking which no catcher
can hope to be much of a success. He
throws well, keeps an eagle eye on the
game outside Of his department as well
as within 1t and rarely misses anything
that might be Of help to his club.
"Sewells batting figures for recent
years may not look so impressive, but
much of a batter's value often IS not
revealed in his averages. I always have
regarded Luke as one Of the most dan
gerous right-hand hitters in the league
IN pinches. He poles long one when
he meets the ball and gets many a run
across. What's more" Joe finishes,
''he's splendid team player, which
coupled with his exceptional playing
ability makes him a great fellow to
have around
IN Berg, the Washington field chief
L tln sees catcner VINO would be
worth plenty to any big league outfit.
Moe showed me enough last year to
make me realize he not only knows
the catching business from A to z, but
also has the stuff in him to handle the
job" is Cronin's pat on the back for the
catcher the Nationals drew from the
ranks Of free agents last year.
II regard Berg far superior to most
OF the other second-String catcherS to
be found in our league. He did plenty
for us last season and really think he
IS even better now"
Bolton is the lad to draw a big
bunch Of praise from his boss.
"Clif has picked up more in year
than any other youngster I know Of"
Cronin says, and he's ready to tell the
world that, too.
He had far to go to get anywhere
as catcher when saw him last year,
but he has surprised me with his work
at this camp. Where he was awkward
$ behind the bat he now shows a lot of
polish. Once woefully weak at handling
fouls. he gets under them smartly and
surely now Formerly a sluggish and
uncertain thrower, he Is able to get the
ball away fast and accurately. And his
power at bat-wow. That boy will
make plenty of trouble for the pitchers
on the other side.
Mark my words. We've one Of the
best catching stats assembled for this
1888 flag fight. Watching it work will
be a pleasure"