The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-12-25

seventh SCreeC.
The Griffs scored enough runs
to finish high in the race. They
counted no fewer than 1923 times
during the season. That is slight
ly l. than six runs to the game.
Only the Detroit Tigers scored
more runs. But the GriffS allowed
903 enemy runners to cross the
plate, mark surpassed only by
the unfortunate st. Louis Browns.
Many Blows Wasted
The Griffs made more hits than
any other team in the American
League, polling out 1891 blows.
But what did even that imposing
total avail them. They had 1905
men left on bases, which created
q new major league record. The
previous marks were held by the
Tigers Of "a who left 1885 run
ners on the lines, and in the Ma
tional League the Phillies left
1857 in 1929.
The boys were second in batting
in runs. They weren't so hot steal
ing bases, pilfering only 81 and
being tossed out trying to steal
some 81 times.
The figures, and all things in
baseball must be based on figures
show that the GriffS had plenty
of opportunities. Then why did
they fail? A blanket indictment Of
one word might be pronounced:
PITCHERS"
Earl Whitehill was the leading
hurler Of the Washington club
with IA victories and Is defeats.
He ranked thirty-fifth in the
league in earned run percentage
with 4.2o. Whitehill was hit
safely 318 times with 1,101 batters
facing him.
Newsom Next to Whitehill
Buck Newsom was second rank
ing pitcher to Whitehill. New
SONS record with the Griffs is
subject to much discussion. For
the greater part of the season he
was out of action and out Of con
dition with a shattered knee cap
But Newsom's show OF courage
and flaming fight endeared him
to the public. With Whitehill he
forms the nucleus OF the. 1896
pitching staff. Ed Linke is IN
cluded in this category.
The young pitchers have yet
to prove themselves. CoppoIa
Petticolas, Scrivener, Lanahar
and the rest are just CANDLES
and long shots. Coppola looked
like a great pitcher in the making
as the team prepared for action
early in the season. He pitched
a shut-out and his praises were
sung to the skies. But he de
yeloped tonsilitis, colds, grippe
and a sore arm. His teeth were
found to be infected. Now, with
out teeth, tonsils and grippe, he
looks forward with the optimism
of youth to big season.
Despite the strength OF the
Griffs on the right field side OF
the infield, the left field sector
was a wide-open territory. Short
stop was a problem all season
The dramatic comeback OF Red
Kress was a high light, but RED
was slow and couldn't get the
smashes that other ShortStops
could get.
Travis Fails Afield
Travis was not a good third
baseman despite his fielding aver
age. He started slowly, and a hall
topped grounder in his direction
was a base hit sure as grass IN
summer is green. Bucky Harris
shifted Travis to the outfield and
there he showed promise. How
ever. he may return to his former
haunts if Lewis does not show the
stuff or if Kress fails to hold the
fort.
Bolton was no bargain, and the
best receiver on the team, Jack
Redmond, developed bad bone
bruise on his hand and was forced
out of action. Holbrook was just
another catcher.
Jake Powell was the only out
fielder on the team who really
stood up and played ball. But 1t
may be different this year if John
son can deliver. Outfielders-
they have too many. Pitchers they
must get if the Griffs are going
to finish in the first division next
season. And they'll have to go
out and get recognized pitchers
who can turn in a days work for
the davis dollar