The Washington times., 1936-09-25
G. W. AND EMORY HENRY OPEN D. C. GRID SEASON TONIGHT
Sees
Chance TO
Win Job
BY GARRETT WATERS

The average baseball fan has
been fed his share Of perseverance
stories. But there's still one more
that promises to take its place
with the others, provided the gent
in question perseveres success
fully.
In this case, it's about Eddie
Linke, roSy-cheeked pitcher Of the
Griffmen and his efforts to win
a job in the big show-and keep it.
You can't help but admire Linke
when you con his late career.
It's been an up-and-down affair,
with the accent on the latter be.
cause of complications.
Well begin at the opening of
spring training this year when
Linke signed a contract with a
clause therein calling for his
weight to be 184 for the season.
Quite a Handicap
Scaling 200 pounds normally,
Linke trained earnestly to take
off the necessary flesh. He found
soon after the campaign opened
what a terrific handicap it was
to pitch.
In June he was sent back to
the minors, his stopping place
Chattanooga. Immediately, more
complications set in. He contract
ed maleria, took on a case Of
grippe and finally ended with vel.
low jaundice.
Llnke pitched good ball after
recovering from these ailments, got
back a lot Of weight, and found
that his arm was strong again.
Then on Labor Day he was in
a Griff uniform again. Clark
Griffith was opposed to his return
at first, believing he was still too
sick for action, but consented fin
ally to let him get into harness.
On Labor Day, Manager Bucky
Harris gave Eddie his chance to
do or die as a relief pitcher against
the Boston Red SoX in the second
game Of that double-header.
Masterful job
The lad turned in a masterful
job, holding the Sox like a clamp
until withdrawn for a pinch hitter.
Linke was an entirely changed
pitcher that day as everybody
noticed.
He had his fast ball working,
he showed his curve plateward in
a different style, and generally
speaking, turned in a 'hot" per-
formance.
BY virtue of this showing, Linke
now has interested both Clark
Griffith and Bucky Harris in an
other thorough trial next spring.
And Linke, on his mettle, is de-
termined to persevere since he
realizes it's his big league job this
time.
Says Eddie:
II know I've made a mess of
things trying to make the grade
thus far. But Pm confident 1
can make good. And now that
I'm on my way to my normal
weight, I'm almost sure of doing
things"
Linke gives old Alec McColl
credit for helping him while at
Chattanooga. McColl took Linke
aside one day and told him to stop
pitching his overland style all the
time. Hence Linke practiced mix
ing up his pitches-overhand, then
Sidearm-to each type Of batter,
realizing a new success. In his
Labor Day appearance he followed
the same style. And you know
the results.
Meet Sox Today
Well, the GriffS continue their
battle for a money position in the
race today by meeting the Boston
Red Sox in the final of a three
game series. The two teams were
rained out yesterday and are TAX
ing today supposed off-day-
to play out the string.
Jimmy DeShong is in line to
face Rookie Henry on the mound.
And yes, ladies, it's Ladies Day
the final one of the year.
VOTE AMERICAN
Whelan to Wed
Tommy Whelan, backfield coach
at Catholic University and con-
~ 4 L., HtoIA -