Evening star., 1933-07-22
GOOSE sUPPLANTED.
BY RICE, .233 HITTER
Player Denies AiIing Teeth
Have Made Him Unfit as
Manager Explains.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

~ N the field these days the
IL Nationals display q splen-
~ did team spirit as they
struggle to keep up in the
American League race. A hint
that harmony in the ranks may
be lacking, however, unintention-
ally was dropped yesterday by
Manager Joe Cronin as he
benched Goose Goslin, q .313 hit
ter, who had socked at a. .385 rate
in his last three games, and put
in the lineup Sam Rice, veteran
utility player at the time having
a batting average Of .233.
That Goslin was not in the best
of condition because Of recent
trouble with his teeth and needed
a rest was the managers explain
alton Of the move. But the Goose
declared he was as At as at any
other time this season and quite
able to assume his regular task.
Beyond his statement concerning
Goslins alleged indisposition Cronin
added only that the players retire
ment was merely temporary and that
the Goose might even start in today's
game against the Tigers.
Go6lin did nothing more than ex-
press his belief in his physical fitness
for service. But from talk here and
there by persons closely associated
with the ball club 1t was cleaned that
the PLAYER felt keenly his omission from
the lineup and was inclined to con-
slider 1t disciplinary move rather than
one due to any ineffectiveness he may
have displayed afield or ct bat.
Held Differences Before.
COSI.IN had been benched several
r times before in the current cam
paign. For a time he was severe
ly handicapped by a charieyhorse leg.
but then he imped through several
games before he was removed from the
hand swinging Goose at other times
when the opposition had southpaw
slabman open fire. Goslin had re-
vealed marked weakness when op-
posed by left-hand hurting.
But Manager Harris Of the Tigers
yesterday assigned the right t-handed
Vic Frasier to the pitching peak and
the assignment was known to ManA-
ger Cronin at least q half-hour be-
lin, swings from the left side.
It Is no secret that Cronin and
Goslin have had their differences this
season. Back in May when the Ma
tiCnals were battling the Western clubs
here, hot words passed between the
manager and player on the bench near
the end Of the game which resulted In
the Goose being ordered to the club
house and Rice sent to right field for
the ninth inning. Goslin was out OF
the game the next day, too.
That difference soon was patched up,
however, and thereafter relations be-
tween the manager and player appar-
entity were quite cordial. During the
last Western swing as the Nationals
SCARED to first place there certainly
was complete harmony between Cronin
and Goslin.
Should Soon End Any Break.
EANAGER CRONN'S move yester-
M day was not made on the spur
- Of the moment. He had care
fully planned it before going to the ball
park around noon. He told Clark Grtf-
fifth OF 1t as soon as tney began Gne
chat held daily between the clubs
president and manager when the Ma
tionals are In town. Later, though,
Grifdth declined to comment.
The break-if one exists-between
Goslin and his manager should soon be
mended. Like the other players. Goslin
is too full of flag fancies deliberately to
do anything that might reduce his
value to his club and under any cir
cumstances the Goose would strive to
give his club his best. He's that kind
Of ball player. The others Of the club
are like that, too.
Cronin, fiery leader, is not OF the
temperamental type. Petty affairs with.
in the club do not annoy him long, and
he is not one to brood over difficulties.
He has made q splendid record with the
Nationals so far. Proved an ideal
leader. Personal differences-if there
are such-between the manager and
any of his players are not likely to dis
turb Cronin In his leadership.
Joe is all for his club in its de-
termined bid for the championship, and
he has his charges that way, too.
Cronin, the leader Is the big reason
why the Nationals are where they are