The Washington times., 1935-03-14


other aSon Frank Buck" O'Neil
without injuries. He says further
that conditions in Cleveland may
be such that if Walter johnson
does not keep the team in the
first slot almost from the start,
criticism will be heaped upon the
boys to a degree where they are
apt to go into the sulks and lose
their disposition to win.
Strangely enough, he does not
rate the Boston Red Sox as pen.
nant contenders, but knowing
the old fox as a citizen of guile
and cunning, we are inclined to
think that he is willing to be
surprised at anything good Joe
Cronin may accomplish in the
Hub.
1--WE have more thar a fight
ing chance to win the pen
nant," said Griffith this morn
ing as he watched the boys
prepare for action. "I know
we're not going to have a year
like '34 all over again. We
have a fine spirit on the ball
club. All the boys want to
win"
1--WE will have punch on the
club" insisted Griffith. eve
have had men who get on
base and we will have men to
drive them around. We have
a hard.hitting outfield, and we
have good hitters in the in
field. We have good defense"
PITCHING STAFF o. X.
II am not willing to admit
that our pitching will be in
feriOr," he stated emphatically.
"There seems to be a diSposi-
ton to find fault with our
pitchers, but let's wait and see
whether they fill the bill or
otherwise. Personally I'm sold
on that all right"
perhaps the most encourag-
ing development in camp this
year is the fact that Bob
Burke has gone along without
the sembIance of a sore arm.
IF Burke can start the season
and 20 right through to the
end, 1 think he can win pretty
close to 20 games"
The writer insisted that Grif-
fifth make comparisons to bolster
q mere statement of opinion.
"All right" he said. 'Let's
start with Detroit. I claim
that IL Joe Kuhel had slid into
Charley Gehringer instead Of
pulling up and thereby break
ing his own ankle, the Tigers
could not have won the pen
nant last year. Just imagine
that team without Gehringer.
He hit 1856 for the season and
drove in 127 runs. Take any
Of the regulars out of the Tiger
lineup and they'll have a
tough time.
"The Yankees have nothing
better than an outside chance.
They have to rebuild an out
field and a pitching staff.
They're uncertain at second
and third. They have Gehrig,
one Of the best. in the game,
and Dickey, a fine catcher.
Lefty Gomez is probbaly the
best pitcher in the league right
now, but there's many a spot
to be strengthened. If Allen
and Van Alta do not come
back 1 think the Yankees may
finish fifth"
WILL HURT JOHNSON
"I see where Cleveland
writer's are claiming the pen.
nant for the team" continued
Griff. "That will hurt john
SON if the club does not rank
high all the way. know mr..
Bradley thinks highly of Wal
ter johnson, but whether ne
will stand up under severe pres
sure from the outside is some
thing that time alone will tell
"The Cleveland club has not
added a great deal of power
as / look at the lineup. / SAID
that a great deal is expected OF
Louis Berger, who is scheduled
to play third base, come what
may. Trosky at first and Bad
News Hale at second are strong
hitters. KnickerbOcker is good
shortstop, and maybe Berger
will do. He's a kid from around
home. / hope he does.
"The pitching staff looks
good on paper" said Griff with
a nod, "and if you have gooa
pitching you have q long starr
on the field"