Evening star., 1933-06-17
TAKING OVER ROLE
CROWDER ENACTED
Al Needed as Starter Only
Until Weaver Is Able
to Take Turn.
BY JOHN b. KELLER,

L ~ SAC, " oA&S ~
to be a temporary reorgani-
~ Zation of the Nationals
pitching staff because of the
arm trouble that has incapaci-
tated Monte Weaver for the time
being, but, according to Manager
Joe Cronin, it should not hurt the
club. In Al Crowder. Earl White
hill, Walter Stewart and Alphonse
Thomas, the Capital outfit still
has four regular starters in good
trim and recent trials indicate
Jack Russell may be called upon
for much more work than he has
been accustomed to do since the
start of the campaign.
Russell, Cronin says, is to step into
the post of handy man" that Crowder
has occupied SO long. Not only will
Jack continue to carry on in relief roles,
but he also will be likely to get start
ing assignments right frequently dur
ing this tour IN which the Nationals
to a man are expecting to overhaul the
Yankees now setting the pace In the
league race
As Cronin sees 1t, the Nationals
chances of getting by the New Workers
has become 50 good that Crowder, from
the outset of the flag chase the most
dependable member of the mound staff,
must hereafter be reserved almost sole
ly for starting duty and puts it up TO
Russell to take over the starting turns
that ordinarily would have gone TO
Weaver.
Occasionally, Bill McAfee may be sent
in to begin game but Cronin regards
Bill SO highly as a rescue toiler he does
not want to wear him down. The same
goes for Bob Burke too, although the
stringbean southpaw may get one start
ing assignment during the swing
through this sector of the circuit.
Russell will be the big worker out
this way, however. He Is apt to start
two or three times and the days he
isn't picked for start he will be on
the warm-up strip ready to step in
when staffmate falters.
WEAVER, by the way, thinks he may
w be in condition to take fling next
week-maybe in the early part Of
the White Sox series that will open in
Chicago on "Wednesday.
For the first time in more than q
week there Is no soreness in my pitch
ing arm" said Monte today. II can
throw a ball without feeling . bit Of
pain, although Of course I do not In
tend to throw with any force yet .
while. I plan to work out slowly and
carefully while the club Is In st. Louis,
and believe that when we get to Chi
cago next week I'll be able to cut loose
with all have in stock. That spinal
adjustment got In washington seemed
to relieve q pressure that tied up my
shoulder and upper arm muscles and
all I need now is exercise to timber the
arm. What I get here should accom-
plish that"
Il am not worrying about my arm
any longer" the professor declared.
In fact, / am confident 1t will be as
right a. ever within Q few days"
EOR the series of four games within
J. three days that was to get under
way here between Nationals and
Browns this afternoon. the home ag-
gregation Is In no good shape % far as
mound material Is concerned. Here's
what q local base ball critic has to
say Of the Browns staf1:
Actually, hlllclcI PAtC1UA& D6on
consists OF Blaeholder, Hadley and
Wells, with Blaeholder and Hadley doing
most of the work. Gray Is relief
pitcher, pure and stmple-generally
simple: Coffman still Is under slspen-
sion. Knott is in the hospital and viii
be unable to pitch for another month,
Hebert Is an infrequent starter and
Stiles even more ''infrequent."
Looks as though the Browns are not
so well prepared to cope with . hard
hitting bunch like the Nationals.
COING into this important jousting
" with the Western clubs. the Ma
tionals are In great form. Weaver
Is on the mend. the other pitchers are
in the pink, the catchers are ready for
all that may come their way and Of the
infielders and outfielders only Buddy
Myer has an ailment. His Is slight
He came West with q slightly bruised
heel that annoyed him in the exhibi-
ton game at Wheeling on Wednesday,
but Buddy says 1t doesn't pain much
now and should not check his speed In
the least
With such a great opportunity to gain
in the race, trivial injuries are next 70
nothing to the Nationals They are full
Of flag fancies and rarin' to 20.