The Washington times., 1934-03-09
FAILS
TOF|NDSUB
FOR JOB
By GARRETT WATERS
Times Staff Correspondent

BIZ OK, Miss, March 9.-1n
discussing probable pitching plans
for the coming season, Manager
Joe Cronin decided today that
Jack Russell, former Cleveland
Indian luminary, would again act
as chief rescue man No. l for
the Griffmen.
He made this decision after re-
viewing Russell's great work dur.
ing the 1888 campaign when
Jack was easily the sensation of
the league. Said Cronin today:
'T had thought at one time
this winter of grooming Jack
for a starter job for the season
of 1894. But 1 can't bring
myself around to it because Of
the fellows value as a relief
hurler. There's no doubt he
certainly delivered in this ca
pacity last year, and I'm afraid
If I take him off the spot it'll
leave the team empty-handed,
unless, of course, we could de-
velOp a man to take Jacks
place."
So relief hurler Russell will be
again, come the new season, re-
gardless of what starting posslbil.
tiles Jack shows before the cur
rent troining grind is completed.
And it must be said the young
performer is we'll suited for the
part, even though many might be-
lieve he'd become even a better
pitcher if given the chance as
starter.
Shows Mettle
Russell showed his mettle for re-
lief pitching in convincing terms
last year. He started slowly in
the spring, but soon became ad-
justed to the job-so easily, in
fact, that before many weeks had
passed he was being recognized as
the best relief hurler in the game
since Fred Marberry. And how
many of us will ever forget Fred's
timely efforts?
Russell's greatest exhibitions
were during the several sets of
games against the New York Yam.
KEGS. On one occasion, in particu-
lar, he rose to unprecedented
heights, that occasion, in the first
game of the July double-header
between the Griffs and Yanks, at
Yankee Stadium.
With more than 10000 persons
shouting their hearts and souls
out for the Yankees to come
through with a triumph, Russell
calmly stalked to the mound about
the eighth inning, retired the side
in order, and continued to hold
them at bay until the Griffmen
finally saw the result chalked up
in their favor after the ending of
the tenth inning.
Jack had to employ Steel-like
nerve that day and he did it,
putting himself solid not only
with President Clark Griffith and
Manager Joe Cronin but the en-
tire American League baseball
populace as we'll.
In World Series
In the world series later on,
Jack uncorked another beauty.
He stepped into the box in the
third inning after the Giants had
knocked Lefty Waller Stewart out
Of the box, and pitched ScorelesS
ball until the eighth when Man
ager Cronin deemed it best to
rush in a pinch hitter during the
midst of a budding batting rally.
Russell granted the Giants only
four hits in this particular world
series effort. But none were dan
gerous as the youngster always
had enough in reserve to keep a
batting rally from starting. And
did his performance help the
Griffs at the time even though
the game was lost in the end?
World series witnesses will tell
you that it did.
So it is because of these in
stances, and many more, that
Manager Cronin decided today to
make Russell his first string re.
lief pitcher for the campaign Of
1884. No doubt, Jack would make
an excellent starting pitcher If
given the opportunity, but why
put the relief department in a
hole when such a guy as Russell
is around?