The Washington times., 1934-04-17
STAFF|S DUE
PROGRAM Of p:
I'LL =
HARDWORK
BY GARRETT WATERS
Times Staff Correspondent

BOSTON, April 17.-An import
ant pitching test right from the.
start, especially since none have.
travelled nine innings as yet.
That's the big item confronting
Manager Joe Cronin's Griff pitch
ing staff this week as 'the new
campaign gets off 20 it's grand and,
glorious opening.
Just how the boys will fare will
be an interesting bit to watch,
as quite as mentioned. not one.
hurler among the group of 10 now
forming the s.aff, has worked nine
innings, not even has the opportu-
nifty been presented them in the
teams exhibition schedule which.
ended last Sunday at Baltimore in
tilt against the Baltimore
Orioles.
In the games against Bosom
today. tomorrow and Thursday
and in those against the Phila-
delphia AS Friday. Saturday and
Sunday. Manager Cronin has told
Earl Whitehill, Jack Russell, Lefty
Walter Stewart and Monte Weaver
that they would work in rotation.
First Long Tests
This means that the quartet Of
hurlerS will be handling nine in
ming assignments for the first time
this year just as if they had been
turning the trick all spring.
But with the season right upon
his team and with no other alter
native before him, Manager
Cronin stated today that his
men would have to step to the
mound "to do or die" even
though it promised to be quite
a hardship for them for a while,
Despite this, the prospects
pointed to the fact today that
the nominated quartet might de-
liver in better than average fash
ion. And this because each man
is in excellent shape, each
trained himself in ready and
rarin' to go" fashion while at
Biloxi, and that the Importance
of winning will offset, most every
thought which might arise should
it become painful to last the
route as the tests make their
presence.
Two Relief Men
AS a precautionary measure,
Manager Cronin had one other
plan L. his sleeve today to throw
into action if the necessity arises,
1t was to keep at least two bull
pen" hurlers ready at all times
to help out should the score be
close and the starting hurler
absolutely needs aid. r.
General Alvin Crowder, who:
last week was shifted from az
starting pitchers class to that
of relief man, will be the first.
OF this "bullpen" group to be-
called on by the young pilot:
Others will be Alphonse Thomas
and Bob Burke, veterans, and
Eddie Linke, Ray Prim and Mark,
Filley, rockies. :
Thomas and Burke, incidentally,
promise to be big help to the:
GrlffS this year, if their work,
against the Baltimore Orioles last
Sunday can be taken with any in:
terest at all. ]
Both hurlerS travelled in excel
lent fashion in their brief turns on
the mound, especially Burke, who
seemed to have his bags of tricks
working on all cylinders.
Well Off, Maybe
If these two hurlerS are ready,
the Griffs can be said to be more
than we'll off at this time, as the
early games during the next two
or three weeks will call for better
than average pitching from the re-
lief hurlers as we'll as those who
will start the several contests on
schedule.
Maybe Alphonse and Bobby will.
show us some good pitching, even
before the current week is ended.
It's almost a foregone conclusion
they'll get plenty Of chances, re-
hashing the lack of nine inning
assignments the Griff starters
have had this spring. .
But We'll let the future take care
of this, as after all, shouldn't the
boys be given a show first before
being fully criticized? =