Evening star., 1935-11-17

~
sissippi, where he "fggahed
on a-doin' a little plowin'
- around" young husky with
ball playing ambition well may be
meditating these days on what the
future holds in store for him. Most
ball players do when the frost begins
gathering on the pumpkin.
If so, Sammy Holbrook here and now
can mediate in happier vein, for
hundreds of miles away. poring over
averages and laying the foundation of
next years Washington ball club.
President Clark Griffith is willing to
cast vote of confidence in the Mis-
sissippi farm boys ability to be
major league catcher-regularly.
Throwing a hint of possibly much
significance, Griffith yesterday di-
vulged that his quest for battery
strength during the forthcoming joint
meeting of the major leagues in Chi
cago will not be confined to the pitch
ing terminal. The Nationals need
catcher and the necessity is second
only to that connected with the throw
ing end.
II am disappointed in our catching"
Cliff Bolton, given regular job. would
show more fight and spirit than he
did last year."
The remedy. Griffith admits. is
problem. The minor leagues have
been combed by the Nationals for
looking backstop prospects, ne
AYERS. but there are no such species
not already tied up by big league
teams. The joint meeting next month,
plus James Marbury Sammy Hol-
brook, are Griff's chief hopes.
Bolton Okay Mechanically.
IT DON'T expect to grab first-string
major league catcher, understand"
explains Griff. Love nor money
couldn't get one. The clubs that have
good catchers-New York, Detroit,
chicago, st. Louis, Boston-are going
to hang on to them. What hope TO
do is to pick up young recruit from
one of these clubs and develop him
myself.
whether I'll get what I want at
the meeting is something else. but by
the time we start training camp I'll
have one or two youngsters around
who can run and throw. I'll toss 'em
q couple of big mitts and let em learn.
Catchers can be made.
IT am not disappointed in Bottoms
progress as catcher. He can receive
well enough, is a pretty fair thrower
and a dangerous hitter. But thought
he would show more life once he was
given the Job. A catcher should be a
leader, an inspirational sort OF bali
player like Cochrane. Cliff was 700
dead to suit me.
"Holbrook has all the fight and fire
in the world. It's entirely up to Bucky
Harris, of course, but as for mysel1
wouldn't mind bit telling him that
he could have the regular catching
lob and 20 to it. think he has
definite chance to make the grade.
Asks to Be Sent Away.
THE opinion of the Nationals boss
L regarding Holbrook may come as
something of a surprise to Capltal
fans, to whom the 23-year-old Mis-
sissippi boy proved disappointment
last season. Still, the Nationals boss
bases his opinion on several facts.
mainly Holbrook lack of experience in
professional base ball, his physical
and mental condition of last year, and
his overwhelming desire to make good.
Reporting to training camp last
Spring after shaking off a prolonged
illness of the Winter of 1884, Holbrook
failed to even resemble the highly
touted recruit from Chattanooga, for
whom National League club was re-
ported to have offered a sum running
well into five figures. He was the worst
looking ball player in camp. Not
even In batting practice did he hit.
Jack Redmond, an obscure youngster,
handily beat him out for the second
string catching job.
Shortly after the season opened"
disclosed Griff, "Holbrook came to me
and asked to be sent back to the
minors for another year of seasoning.
He was so downhearted over his show
ing and worried because he wasn't
accepted by the players that he really |
wanted to be sent back. I told him
needed somebody in the bull-pen,
though. and nothing doing"
Holbrook stuck with the club, re-
ceived chance, flashed promise at |
the outset, and then faded toward the |
end of the campaign, when an un-
known named Bill Starr did most of |
the understanding for Bolton. Hol- |
brook wound up with batting aver
age Of .259 for SIS games, making IS |
hits in 135 trips to the plate. The
base stealing percentage while he was
behind the bat was pretty high.
Still, with all. Griff regards him as |
. worthy rival for Bolton next year as
regular backstop and the Washing
ton clubs president is not by habit a |
bettor on prohibitive long shots. |
Neither Redmond nor Starr figure as
prospects in his book.
nc0DnET0llIN I00D