Evening star., 1936-06-24
HIS MOUND FEATS
PUT GR|FFS THIRD
Shaded by Only Grove and
Pearson After Beating
Browns, 10 to 5.
BY FRANCIS E. STAN,
STAFF Correspondent of The Star.

CT. LOUIS, Mo, June 24.-MarSe
Joe Mccarthy, who will lead the
American League forces into
~ next months battle of the all
stars, may find that batting for Mickey
Cochrane will embrace its embarrass-
ments. For instance, it becomes OBJ
vious today that debonair Jimmy
De Shong, traded away by Marse Joe,
definitely belongs on any American
League all-star team of 1886.
That swap Clark Griffith swung last
Winter unquestionably promises to
stand out as one q the shrewdest en-
eineered by the Old Fox in his 25
years as boss of Washington base ball.
In case you've been too busy watching
the Nationals jump in and out OF the
first division lately. let it be recalled
that De Shong today holds nine vic
tories against three defeats. This Is
a mark not only tops for the Wash
inEton slab staff, but available for
commendable comparison with any
pitching record in the majors.
Marse Joe now hardly can escape
giving consideration to De Shong in
the event that Clothes Horse Jimmy"
is not one of the 18 American Leaguers
selected by vote of the fans. There Is,
for instance, Lefty Grove to be named
one Of the five hurlers. Then, Of
course, Is McCarthy's own Monte Pear
son, who takes some of the sting out
of 1886 trading for Marse Joe. But
after this pair, Jimmy De Shong Is as
good a bet as anybody.
Pitches Griffs to Third Place.
T 1NLESS he breaks leg. Jimmy is
- In a fair way Of earning general
recognition this season as the out
standing young pitcher Of the league
De Shong has been up for major
league trials in the past, of course
but this season with the Nationals
has marked his first crack as start
ing slab performer. 1t is doubtful II
even Griff and Manager Bucky Harris
who first foresaw the young mans
possibilities, quite realized to just what
extent he would fill the bill.
Last week, when the Nationals
opened their Western tour. Jimmy
pitched the Washingtons into undis-
puted possession of third place for
the first time this year. It was some
thing of feat. inasmuch as it was
accomplished against the Tigers under
prohibitive circumstances. The Ma
tionals promptly lost their grip on the
third place niche, but, again, thanks
to De Shong, they are back in that
coveted spot once again today.
Jimmy, without pitching a game
that compares at all with some Of hi;
efforts this year, whipped the Browns
again yesterday, 10 to S. 1t marked
his fourth triumph of the season over
the St. Louis clan and the Griffs
seventh triumph in eight games.
Club Is Sloppy Afield.
DE sHONG may not have looked
the part of a great pitcher yes
terday. but the fact remains that he
won, 10 to S, and at press time they
were still paying of on final scores.
Jimmy gave up IL hits during a
draUn-out opener to the Browns
series. but with better support he
never would have permitted the
Hornsbynnen to score five runs on him
Behind De Shong, his teammates
foundered now and then, or just al
moments when an error hurt the best
dressed young fellah in all base ball
The Washingtons, while not doing
entirely right by De Shong in an Of
fensive way, lived up to expectations
at bat. Like the Browns. the Harris
men banged out dozen hits and
made far better use of them than did
the Browns.
The Griffs, getting two-run lead
in the first inning. we're tied by the
Browns when the final half of the
second frame ended, but once the ar
tillery began to find the range In the
fourth inning, 1t was all over. The
Griffs broke the % lead in handy
fashion and won going away. With
the Indians and Tigers losing yester-
day, it proved an opportune time to
win a game.