The Washington times., 1936-06-15
ADDITION OF CHAPMAN SEEN AS BOON TO GRIFFMEN
Xdnk Star
Is POwer
Hitter
BY FRANK BUCK oNEnL

The chances Of the GriffS fin
ishing in the first division this
season were zoomed to a new high
when President Clark c. Griffith
obtained Ben Chapman, center
fielder of the New York Yankees
in a trade for Jake Powell. Third
place is in the grip Of the Griffs
today as they entrain for a swing
around the circuit that will keep
them out Of town until 1ndepend-
ence Day.
With Chapman adding power
to their attack and defence the
Griffs may fight their way into
the higher stations of the Ameri-
can League. Not only is Chapman
a ball hawk, but he is far better
hitter than his current average OF
.266 would indicate. Chappie'S life
time average is .306.
This writer spent many a day
and night touring the country with
Chapman when the Alabama Ar
row was member Of the Yankees.
He is keenly intelligent youth, 9
hard fighter and highly ambitious.
No greater sportsman ever trod an
an athletic field than this same
Ben Chapman.
Thrice Told Tale
The story of Chappie'S athletic
ability is a thrice told tale. He
is a power hitter and a remark
able bunter. He can throw to the
right bases, which will help no
little. He works everlaStingly
for the good of the team, and that
will be welcome. He does his bat
ting around on the ball park, and
that will be a great help.
Chapman traces his ancestry
back to the Cherokee nation. His
high cheek bones, prominent nose
and flashing black eyes bespeak
the Indian. He is silent for the
most part, another characteristic
Of the aboriginal American. And
he has a keen appreciation of the
lighter moments Of life; also Q
characteristic Of the Indian.
Strong men wept when Chap
man reported to the. New York
Yankees at st. Petersburg in 1929.
He maintained from the start that
he was a second baseman, but
you Just couldn't get a soul to be-
lieve him. He kicked grounderS
around in the most remarkable
style, and his throws were at once
the diSmay and delight Of all OBJ
servers. Hug patted the boy on
the shoulder and sent him back
to st. Paul and told him to polish
up his fielding.
Hit .S16 In 1880
Chappie came back in 1880 aS
a third baseman. They said he
would lose fewer games at the turn
for home than anywhere else. He
hit .316 and they all forgot his
little peccadilloS, such as tossing
the ball into the deep recesses Of
the grand stand. In 1881 Chap
man was sent into left field, ana
there his career as a great ball
player really started.
It is the opinion of this writer
that Clark Griffith and Bucky
Harris got the best of the trade
again with the Yankees. Joe Nc.
Carthy took a personal dislike to
the high-Spirited Chapman and
set about exercising discipline.
Chappie bucked at the oppression.
and this, perhaps is the culmina-
tion Of a period of acrimony and
discomfort on both sides. 1t is .
great break for Washington, and
under Bucky Harris, Chapman
should show at his best.
There is little to say on behalf
of Powell. He had a glorious
chance to make good and win
public approval. He was some
thing Of a Peck's bad boy, express.
ing his temperament in such
quaint ways as missing trains.
There were other phases Of
Powell's off field activities that
failed to arouse the admiration Of
the common people. I know they
didn't appeal to Bucky Harris and
PreXy Griffith.
Fans Welcome CaScarella
In the constantly shifting base
ball life, Washington fans vel.
come Joe Cascarella into the fold
and bid a fond farewell to
Texas" Jack Russell, who goes
to Boston. Russell will be remem"
bered for his sterling work in 1888
when he virtually won the pen
nant by his great relief work. But
long after 1888 and its pennant
has been forgotten, Jack Russell
will live with those who have had
the privilege of his friendship.
The Texan was every inch the
gentleman and a gallant sports
man under all conditions. Jack
never quite achieved greatness.
Yet he did not miss it by much.
Always you waited for that sea-
Soo in which he would rise to the