Evening star., 1933-03-30


1 \ jr., the moundsman with
the mended arm, has served
notice that he'll be a member of
the Nationals curving corps big
five" at the outset of the Ameri-
can League campaign.
Getting his first test under fire this
year With the start of the flag fight
only two weeks away, the patched-up
pitcher who had been nursed SO care
fully by those in charge of the Wash
ington club demonstrated to the salts
faction of all concerned that he can 60.
In a four-inning term against the
8arons at Birmingham yesterday
Tommy cut loose with plenty. He tried
fast ones, he employed a change of
pace and he chucked up hooks. The
right t-hander turned in a smooth piece
OF work There wasn't sign Of q
kink in the arm.
Evidently that operation in Chicago
last Fall by which several bone chips
were removed from the Thomas salary
wing Is to prove highly successful.
Tommy has contended from the time
he reported at the Biloxi training camp
llAdG VIC al LA oo tAOubACSOllC AOi ySdA D
again was right Club officials thought
1t might be, but they were bit dubi
GUS Tommys performance yesterday
however, removed all doubt.
THE pitcher the club officials had
i been holding back opened fire in
earnest manner and maintained a
good pace. Tommy said he was fresh
at the finish and he looked it.
~ hic f011r rounds TOmnv nitrhed
to Is batters. He gave up three hits
and one pass. He also was charged
with a wild pitch. curve that hit the
dirt beside the plate and bounded by
Cliff Bolton. The Barons nicked him
for two runs in the last round. In it
he gave his lone base on balls, made
that wild pitch and yielded a single.
But for a bobble by Joe Cronin. though
Tommy probably would have held the
BaronS scoreless.
He was that good. His curve was no
round-house affair. Tommy let 1t go
with plenty of snap to his wrist and
the strain apparently didn't tell on the
repaired arm.
OFTEN in Spring exhibitions, vet
~ eran pitchers keep check on their
curve ball pitching. It can be
quite wearing. He flung his fast ball
with a lot of freedom. a natural throw
with a strong follow through. 1t look
ed anything but a first test OF the
year for Tommy He was that smooth.
While Tommy's fine first effort de-
lighted those at the Nationals helm,
of course, he won't be rushed in his
preparatory work. He'll not be sent
into more than three OF the eXhlbltlons
remaining on the Nationals schedule,
Manager Cronin says. More than like
xr,in
OF the games. That with the daily
workouts planned for him should mt
him nicely for the heavier duty to come.
according to the Washington CLUBS
boy field boss and its trainer, Mike
Martin.
With Tommy In the trim he now
promises to be- the Nationals should
enter the American League race with
a string of sterling pitchers not matcneo
by any other club. The taken-m- trace
left t-handers, Walter Stewart and Earl
Whitehill, are in splendid shape now:
They really need to taper on nlt: II
anything, to be ready Tor tne Dig grmo
ahead. Stewart, particularly, appears
at the peak of form. He's so good now
his pals on the club are predicting
great season for him.
CHARING the mound burden with
y these southpaws, the Nationals
should have, in Al Crowder and
Monte Weaver, a corking pair OF right
handlers. They have displayed enough
in early tests to lead the Washington
club directorate to believe as much may
be expected of them this year as they
rave iast-and that was an abundance:
Add to this lot Of left-handers and
right -handers an Alphonse Thomas
Thomas, jr., ready to pitch once more
as he did before his arm went back on
him, and facing the Nationals will be
no picnic for any club.
Tommy looks ready to fill in on the
"big five" the Washington front once
has had in mind ever since the club
went into the players market so ac-
tivelv last December Not pleasant
news for seven clubs in the league.