Evening star., 1934-12-23
CHANGE Of PILOTS
TOPS NAT DEBACLE
Sale of Cronin, Return of
Harris Follows Worst
Season Since 1919.

~ ALTERED, broken, never re.
K sembling the organization that
- had swept to a league cham
pionship the year before,
Washington's base ball club this year
fell from the heights to finish the
worst it had since lsls-in seventh
place.
1t made base ball history, however,
after its disastrous campaign in the
sale Of Joe Cronin, its player-manager.
at price unprecedented in the pro-
fessional game.
Cronin was turned over to the Red
sox of Boston October IS. That Clark
Griffith, president of the Nationals,
was willing to dispose Of his hard
hitting and skillful fielding young
shortstop startled base ball followers.
But their amazement knew no bounds
at the price Tom Yawkey, millionaire
owner of the Boston club, paid-Lyn
Larry, shortstop, and $3.50, 900 in cash.
Cronin, who only a month before
had married Mildred Robertson. niece
and adopted daughter of the Washing
ton president, went to the Red Sox at
his own terms as manager at $4,000
year for five years.
That move ousted from the Red Sox
leadership Stanley Harris, who had
begun his career as big league man
ager with the Nationals back in 1924
to carry on for a five-year period.
Harris Immediately became the popu-
lar choice Of Washington fandom as
Cronin's successor and early in Mo-
vember Griffith again made Bucky the
Nationals field general.
Injuries Wreck Club.
A SUCCESSION of injuries unpar.
| n alleled in major base ball wreck
ed the Nationals this year.
Catchers were the first and last VIC
tins of this jinx that so relentlessly
pursued the club. In an exhibition
game in New Orleans last March Luke
Sewell had a finger on his catching
hand smashed by foul tip and the
Nationals had to go into the season
without their flrst-string catcher. In
September Cliff Bolton, young receiver,
suffered a similar injury
Between these mishaps, there was a
long string of hurts. Players we're
"beaned" while at bat; infielders and
pitchers were severely spiked; out
| ielders had fingers dislocated; Joe
Kuhel, rated one of the best first base
men in base ball, had leg broken late
in June; Jack Stone, sturdy outfielder,
had an ankle cracked in July; Ossie
Bluege, star utility rlayer, suffered a
heat stroke. Finally, on Labor day,
Cronin had wrist fractured.
In all, the Nationals were harassed
by series of 81 injuries to players.
No regular managed to play more than
three-fourths of the season. Only
four-Pete Susko at first base; Johnny
Kerr, utility inflelder: Reese Diggs, re-
cruit pitcher, and Monte Weaver, slab
veteran-escaped serious hurt.
So beset, the Nationals never had a
chance in the championship race. At
the end Of April they were in fourth
place. Battling bravely, they managed
to hold this position July 4. Then
they broke under the strain and at the
end of July we're in sixth position and
l412 games back of the leaders. The
club still was sixth as it went into Sep
tember, but 261a games back. 1t fin
ished seventh, "a games beneath the
champion Tigers and 13 ahead Of the
cellar Chisox. The Nationals won Sc,
lost Sc.
Gain Fielding Laurels.
IN ESPITE the numerous injuries,
the Nationals managed to bag
league fielding laurels. Their
average of .974 only matched the
Tigers figures, but they were IN one
more game than the champions.
Heinie ManuSh was the clubs best
batter at BAG that got him third place
among the leagues hitters. He set the
pace for the Nationals in almost every
other way in attack, making the most
| hits, the greatest total of bases, and
, most doubles, triples and homers.
Buddy Myer made the most runs, 103,
but Cronin was the main punch. He
drove across 101 runs, despite a rather
low batting average.
The Nationals were double-play
leaders, turning in 167 of these field
| ing feats. Myer at second base and
Fred Schultz and Manush in the out
field finished among the leaders at
their positions.
The pitching was the poorest done
by a Washington staff in seasons.
Bob Burke, who won eight games and
lost as many, had the lowest earned
run yield average. 321. Earl White
hill with IA wins and IL losses had the
best winning percentage. $50. There
was nothing to boast of in the per-
formances of other pitchers.