Evening star., 1936-04-22

was promise that Miles can have the
job for an indefinite period if he makes
good.
1t isn't strictly gueSswork, arriving
at the latter conclusion. Harris,
making his announcement this morn
ing as the Griffmen prepared to wind
up their series with the Red Sox, did
so with the knowledge that in all
probability Boston will use Fritz Oster-
mueller, a southpaw who. like all left
handlers, is pretty tough on left
handed batters. And Miles is one of
those, while Hill was one of the few
right-handed batters in the lineup.
Stone Has Grip.
8" DON'T care who the other clubs
use in the next few days" declared
Harris, airing his views in the after
math Of another defeat in which
sloppy pitching was to blame-again.
Hill has shown that he's in a rut
and think the times right for us to
give Miles good trial 1 intend to
start him against Ostermueller Gomez
or any other left-hander in the next
few days, or until Jesse gives signs of
swapping out of his batting slump"
Harris decision casts no reflection
on Johnny Stone, the veteran, who
now is sitting on the bench for the
most part and numbering the ball
when he's given a chance. Johnny
came down yesterday with a case of
grip and was sent to bed, leaving Miles
as the only substitute outfielder. But
neither does it mean that Miles NOM
ination to succeed Hill for the pres
ent was due only to Stones illness.
1t Is no secret that Bucky has been
waiting for a chance to look Miles
over under championship fire.
Hill has left plenty of opening for
the shift lately, although leg in
juries seem to have played a part in
his slump at bat. Just when Jesse
was beginning to hit his stride down
in Florida, while the grapefruit league
was in full blast, Hill jammed his an
kle in game against Chattanooga.
He was out for week and when he
got back Jesse was not in the best
Of shape.
Hurts Ankle Again.
RY THE time the season opened
Hill was ready, however, but last
week he again jammed his right an
kle against the Athletics in Philadel-
phia and he hasn't been able to hit
since. In his last 16 times at bat
Jesse has gone hitless and Harris feels
that rest and plenty of batting
practice is what he needs.
I'm not giving up on Hill," empha-
sized Bucky, in announcing Miles new
status. II merely believe that if Jesse
Is given a little more time he'll be in
better shape to do a better job. I
don't intend to play him until after
the club returns to Washington, where
he can get plenty of batting practice
and work himself out of the rut. In
the meantime I'm going to look over
Miles"
Miles, 24-year-o1d Bessemer, Ala,
lad, has appeared in only two Ameri-
can League games so far. Both times
1t was in the role Of pinch hitter.
but when he stepped into Hills shoes
down in Florida, when Jesse pre-
viously was hurt, the youngster did
q great job.
Hot for While.
He WENT like house afire in the
lead-off post, finally winding up
the grapefruit league season with
1853 average, that topped the entire
club. including Buddy Lewis and Cecil
Travis. The Bessemer Bullet, second
only to Hill among the Nationals in
sheer speed afoot probably is the
most improved player on the Wash
tngton club.
Whereas last season he showed dis
tinct signs Of defensive weaknesses,
(See MILES, Page A-l3.)