Evening star., 1934-08-11

r WAS q great day for the Cieve-
land ball club when the Nationals
cast aside Moe Berg. II you'll
Il listen 10 Walter johnson. the In
dians' manager.
The Big Train. now at his Be-
thesda home recuperating after =
pleurisy attack that had him In q
hospital. declares the catcher the
Washington club discarded win give
the Indians next year the most poll
ished pack of pitchers in the Amer
ican League.
I'm telling you we couldn't have
picked up q more valuable man to
work with our young pitchers than
Berg" johnson said today. Moe Is
q keen base ball student. Is well versed
In the pitching end Of the game and
has the knack and patience that
make him q splendid teacher. He
has everything else. too. to make him
a fine player to have behind the bat"
johnson went on. IT regard Berg
one of the best receivers in the busi-
ness. He has a fine arm and pegs
accurately. And he is big enough 10
block runners at the plate.
Fingers Need Schooling.
"D UT he has more than these quail
ID tiles. many more, 10 make him
worth so much to the Cleveland
club" declared Walter. "It Is his re-
markable ability to get the best out Of
a young pitcher that makes him such
an asset.
''For some time the Cleveland club
had needed some one to school It's
pitchers while they were under FIRE.
A pitcher may have much mechanical
ability, but the young one usually has
much TO learn when he Is out there
working in a game" Johnson pointed
out. I've never run across any other
catcher who could do as much for
the young man on the mound"
johnson expects no pennAnt for
the Indians this season. They are
too far back of the lead for that.
He does believe they'll be in the
thick of the flag fight next season.
though. now that Berg Is at hand to
bring along the hill talent.
I'VE have young ball club in
the main, but it's talented. 1t has
played better ball than I expected
it to play this year. I'm confident
1t will show much more next season" /"
Walter said. 1T is stronger defen-
sively than many critics at the outset
Of the season believed II would be.
There never has been any doubt as
to its power. Those boys can hit
With the coaching they are getting
from Berg the pitchers viii be In
trim for great work. II should be
tough club to beat next year.
Being Home Helps.
ID ERG already is working with
ID Hildebrand and Pearson. While
I was In the hospital In Cleve.
land told Kamm. who has directed
the club during my absence. to have
Berg catch whenever either of these
pitchers was on the hill" johnson
revealed. And I'll soon have him
coaching some others OF the staff.
Berg likes the work. The pitchers
Ike to work with him"
johnson reached his Bethesda home
| yesterday. just a day out Of the hos
pital. He suffered two attacks OF
pleurisy In Cleveland last week. The
Big Train managed to keep his feet
| swept him into a hospital bed.
Getting home has done me a world
Of good. though" he said today. II
have been pottering about my place.
enjoying the rest and regaining
strength steadily. I should be ready
to resume active management Of the
Indians when they get to Washington
Tuesday.
Why, I'll be getting back TO base
ball before that" and Walter smiled.
Il intend to scout your ball club as
| It plays the Athletics tomorrow"