The Washington times., 1934-03-27
PR?|M, L|NkE.
LOOK BEST
To DATE
BY GARRETT WATERS,
Times staff Correspondent

NEW ORLEANS, March ~.
Unless the Griffs pull a trade
here before they jump back to
dear old Biloxi (Which fact is
still being rumored despite
denials by Manager Cronin and
President Griffith it can be
reasonably assured the team will
line up the same as that which
won the American League pen.
nant in 1888, excepting Johnny
Stone, of course.
That lineup will find Joe
Kuhel, Buddy Myer, Manager
Cronin and Ossie Bluege, in the
infield; Heine Manush, Fred
Schultz and Johnny Stone, in
the outfield, Luke Sewell behind
the bat and the familiar staff OF
pitching veterans including Cen
eral Alvin Crowder, Earl White
hill, Monte weaver, Lefty Walter
Stewart, Jack Russell and Tommy
Thomas.
The remainder of the team
could also be named but for the
fact that one or two utility posi-
tions are still in doubt, partlcu.
larly a couple among the rookie
pitchers and the same number
among the utility infield talent
now sporting uniforms.
ClamOr for Jobs
OF the pitchers, there are six
still clamoring for jobs, including
Bob Burke, Ray Pritm, Eddie
Linke, Alec McColl, Ed Chapman
and Mark Filley, while of the in
fielders a. decided uncertainty
still remains whether three or
two will be carried to balance that
department.
It would seem logical to believe
that Manager Cronin will keep
Bob Boken and Cecil Travis as
his extra infielders, figuring, Of
course, that OSSie Bluege will
hold down the third base job as
Cronin's regular at the start OF
the season at least.
But the thought Immediately
comes to mind that the young
pilot might deem it more advis-
able to send Travis to some minor
league club on a 24-hour option.
keeping Johnny Kerr all the while
to fill in with Boken as the teams
extra Unfolding department. It
remains to be seen what he will
decide to do in this case
Pitching Puzzle
The pitching situation is just
as puzzling after the regular six
have been named. All because
there's still that question whether
Prin, Linke and Burke should
be selected to balance the staff,
or whether McColl, Chapman and
Filley should be considered.
So far Phim and Linke have
offered the best impressions.
Burke has nurSed himself along
because of his sore shoulder,
Chapman has been handicapped
because of his lumbago, McColl
has been afraid to let himself go
due to the operation on his arm
during the winter, and Filley has
been given little thought because
of his inexperience in professional
baseball.
In our mind, Filley should be
considered along with Prim and
Linke because of his showing in
last Sundays game against the
Biloxi State champions. The kid
may not have the speed, expert.
ence and all that sort Of thing,
but his natural talents are such
that they could be developed with
more action.
But quite like the infield prob.
lem, Cronin still has time to work
it out, which item he probably
will before the Griffs get home to
open the campaign.
RumOrs Persist
Now a bit about the trade
rumors which still persist. That
the Griff bosses would like to &C
quire Mel Harder, young right
handler of the Indians. But get
ting the hurler is another thing,
because the Indians have asked
for so much in return.
Besides, they've definitely de.
cided not to say anything more on
the subject because Of the idea
that there hasn't been any trade
dickering in the first place. Even
so, the GriffS are in this quaint
city today with trade rumors fly.
ing all abouC which may or may
not mean a thing, and it's an item
that should make the next two
days very interesting for the per.
formers and the thousands of fans
back home" wondering just what
will &C 'ually happen, if anything.
"lf at first you don't succeed, try,
try again" An aEe-Old saying, but ever