The Washington times., 1936-01-06
Hub Fans
Demand
Flag.
Rx FRANK "BUCK" ONEILL

The completion Of the baseball
deal by which the Boston Red sox
acquired Jimmy Foxx, Johnny
Marcum, Roger Cramer and Eric
McNair from the Philadelphia
Athletics d definitely puts Joe
Cronin on the spot. Joe must win
now or accept the rating of one
of baseball's outstanding flops as
a manager.
The world didn't expect Cronin
to make riflemen out Of mud
when he was here in Washington
and working on a limited bank
roll. Very definitely, the world
will not expect him to make mud
out Of riflemen after Tom Yawkey
has bought him everything but
the moon with hedge around it.
Cronin's contract has several
seasons to run in Boston, but If
he fails, it would not be surpris
ing to see the Frisco Kid tender
his resignation.
Fenway Park will be untenable
for Cronin unless he wins the
pennant in 1896. Never mind the
fact that the Tigers are cham
pions. Discount every single one
of one thousand conditions that
may arise. The Boston Red Sox
this year must win.
They have enough hitting
strength to blast down every
fence in baseball. Their outfield
includes two of the games great.
est youngsters in Cramer and
Melo Armada, Manush added to
the potential hitting proves Of
the club.
Load on CrOnin
The infield looms strong and
fast, and the weight of making
good in the combination will be
on Cronin, for Joe, whatever his
qualifications, will be carrying
terrific, wearying responsibility.
McNair may manage to Gust
Oscar Melillo from second base.
He is faster than the spinach
eating Chicago Italian, and is a
better hitter. Defensively they're
about on a par. It may be that
the Red Sox will send Melillo to
New York. The Yankees have at
tempted to buy Melillo in past
years. He would be a more Ell
fective player than some of the
reserve material now available
to Mccarthy.
There Is a chance-remote, to
be Sure-that the Red Sox may
decide to play McNair at third
and use Billy Werber in a trade
to land them a pitcher. The Yam
KEGS would welcome Werber back,
for Joe Mccarthy is not the man
to permit a. previous judgment,
or even previous error in judg-
ment on player, to stand in the
way Of strengthening the club.
Wake UP, Griff
All of this trading activity finds
Clark Griffith playing pinochle
and waiting for the springtime
Well, here's hoping that every
hand he picks up is 400 in spades
Washington fans, however, are
slightly more interested in know.
ing just what to expect in 1886.
The left side of the Washington
infieId is just a gateway to the
fence. Kress is all right in spots,
but, despite the dramatic come
back of the veteran, he lacks
speed and the ability to play
through an entire season. The
third base situation is one to give
pause to the greatest of optimists.
If Lewis is all they say he is, why
fine; everything may be all right,
If not, it's just too bad.
And the pitching department.
Wow, there's something to think
about! The GriffS must get some
hurlerS who can hurl. It would be
asking lot to expect the fans to
go out there and watch, Bump
Hadley, Russell and some Of the
others attempt to win first divi-
sion rating. Right now we have
two pitchers capable of winning.
They are Earle Whitehill and
Buck Newsom,
Jake Powell is sure to remain.
He is the best Of them all. Roy
Johnson will be a good outfielder
until he starts to figure out plays.
Travis would be my bet for a post
out there. The rest are six, two
and even.