Evening star., 1933-02-12
SURE MOUND CREW
WILL TRAIN EASILY
Pitchers Will "Be Tough to
Beat" After Printing to
Come, Mike 0pines.
BY JOHN s. KELLER.

Y Y cally for the start of the
American League cam
paign when Mike Martin gets
through with them. Getting their
club of at speedy clip in the flag
race will depend upon their natu-
raj ability to twist and twirl the
ball, as the veteran trainer Of the
Nationals has gone out on a limb
with the statement that his pitch
ing charges will be well condi-
toned for the big work ahead.
Martin has been getting ball players
in shape to earn their wages many
years now and he isn't one likely to
out carefully considering everything
And this time Mikes telling the world
that barring accident or illness all
will be hunky dory in the pitching line
"YeS, sir" said Mike yesterday when
he found time between the varied at
tentions he had to pay his pet parrot,
you can bet we'l have as fine con-
ditioned lot of pitchers as ever has
opened up for the Washington ball
club.
Excepting this Linke, youngster
quainted with all the pitchers I'll have
to work with and I know them to be
a good lot to handle. Intelligent in their
line, willing and earnest workers and
fellows who realize what you are try
ing to do for them, they'll get down to
serious business right of the reel and
stick to it until they feel right.
Having such q lot to work with
means much to ball club trainer.
I've had some tough ones to train in
my time," Mike mused. Some who
didn't care much for the hard exer-
cising they needed, others who thought
they were so good they didn't need to
follow my instructions. It's different
this time, though.
9TH, pitchers that1l be at Biloxi
will make mine q happy lot. And If
they manage to take up where they left
of last season in pitching way they'll
be tough to beat with the condition
I'll have 'em in. What's more-coming
right now, Polly, with that bird seed.
Pretty Polly"
Martin had plenty to say about those
he figures will make the Nationals big
five on the hill this year-A Crowoer,
Aphonse Thomas, Monte Weaver, Wal
ter Stewart and Earl Whitehill.
IT have mapped out a program OF
training that will provide specific work
win have at camp" Martin told.
"ThereTl be a lot of work for each,
but I have made particular plans for
the training of Crowder. Al Thomas,
Weaver, Stewart and Whitehill
1--WE had much to do with the first
three Of these and I'm right well ac-
quainted with the pair we got from
st. Louis and Detroit. I'll have those
five pitchers going through their PAGES
carefully from the start.
"Crowder is q pitcher q trainer has
to keep after all the time. Not that he
is inclined to shirk his work. It's just
the opposite with him, in fact. Despite
his long experience, AL is apt to train
be watched, especially, for that's
where he feels the strain the greatest.
Never much trouble with his arm.
"It was arm trouble with Al Thomas
for several years" Mike went on, but
I don't believe he'll be worried that
way this time. When the surgeons
took that growth out Of Tommys ei-
bow last Fall. believe they went far
toward making him one Of the best
pitchers in the busines. And what
they started hope to finish. Bakings
and messages put Tommy's. arm in
splendid shape this Winter and he
should be showing plenty when the
season starts.
Weaver may have to be built up
trihe before he is right again. He looks
big and husky when he's out there
pitching in the Summer and he Is. But
Monte likes his reading and studies so
much he's apt to forget his exercise
during the of-season, which means he
has to make up for lost time in the
few weeks at training camp.
Shouldn't have bit of trouble with
Stewart. He's an active person during
the Winter and Of the type not prone to
put on much flesh when he doesn't
work regularly. Different with White
hill, though. There's fellow who picks
up the weight between seasons But
I'll get it of him at Biloxi. And from
what I've heard, Earl doesn't mind the
business of shedding those
pounds nor does the process wear him
down.
Il look for this lot to get along in
fine style at camp. Then watch 'em go.
I'd be willing to bet-coming, Polly"
~r@-~1 - ,,-,