The Washington times., 1937-04-07
eteApp|eton
May Pitch
Opener
BY FRANK BUCK" O'NEML

! LAKELAND, Fla, April THE
job that confronts Bucky Harris
right now, and its the most i'm.
portant task he has tackled since
leaving home, is to keep the
Griffs from leaving their pennant
race in the training camp.
It is staleness more than the
other seven American League
clubs that can ruin the early
weeks Of the championship sea.
son; perhaps the whole season,
for a team that must be rated as
one Of the most dangerous in the
major leagues.
The Griffs are ready to open
the season right now. The
pitchers could stand little work,
but if necessity demanded, Harris
could whip his hurlers into ccndi-
ton to so nine innings.
Pete Appleton went seven heats
against the Tigers yesterday in
Orlando, shut them out and held
them to five nicely distributed
hits, all but one of which were
singles. Dick Lanahan, pitching
better than he has on previous
public appearances, held Tho
Tigers to two hits, both singles.
| Goes Seven Innings
Appleton was the first pitcher
to go seven innings for Washing.
ton, and the inference to be drawn
is that Harris is prepping him to
pitch the opening game. In view
Of Appeton'S fine showing against
first division clubs last season he
merits this distinction. On second
thought, perhaps it would be bet.
ter to save him for the game in
New York.
The case Of the Washington
clubs Is entirely different from
that Of the st. Louis Cardinals
and the Detroit Tigers, among
others. Those teams have many
young men. .FriSch has not yet
been able to set his team, and
Cochrane, even yesterday, carried
on his experiments. Cochrane
played a youngster named CheS.
ter Wilburn at shortstop. He may
have Bill Rogell back in the
lineup tomorrow.
Right from the jump, the only
experimenting by Harris vas done
at second base. Johnny Mihalic
played second, and did such a fine
job that Buddy Myers friends
were in a steaming panic over his
performances.
The rest of the infield Is set.
You knew that just as certain as
the umpire cried: "Play ball" Joe
Kuhel would go to first base,
Travis would go to short and
Lewis would cover third.
Playing practically without a
day off since st. Patrick'S Day,
the Griffs are in condition to open
the season. They played a cham
pionship game against the Tigers
yesterday. Now the job will be
to hold them in condition for the
start Of the season. You have no
relief squad, as the Cards have, or
the Tigers have. Bluege and Mi
halle can go into the infield and
give any two men you wish to
name a day Of rest. Hill and
Wright can spell the outfielders.
AL Simmons played brilliant de-
fensive ball against the Tigers
yesterday. He didn't get q hit.
but what Of that? Your Aunt
Kate knows that AL Simmons
will hit.
Makes Dazzling Catch
Simmons made dazzling catch
Of terrific belt by Hank Green.
berg in the eighth inning, and in
the second frame his throw to the
plate caught Chef Laabs by Is
feet. Shanty Hogan said after the
game that Simmons threw q
strike"
One Of the pleasing portentS in
that game yesterday was the hit
ting of Chapman. If you look at
the box score, you'll see that Chap
pie got only one single. Well, why
get excited, you may ask. But
what the score does not show Is
how Chapman hit that ball. He
was robbed Of a double in the
first inning by Wilburn's grab OF
o line drive; he was robbed Of a
double by Laabs in the fifth, but
he shot q single in the happy third
inning and aided in the winning
rally.
Chappie really timed the ball,
something he has not been doing
for some time.
The Montreal Club wants to
buy the contract of Taft Wright,
the young outfielder, but the kid
is destined for Chattanooga, in all
probability. Wright must polish
his base running, we are told by
Clark Griffith. It is Wright's bad
luck that he pats left handed, or
he would remain with the club.
In ability, he is the fourth out
fielder.
Jimmy DeShong, Monte Weaver
and Jack SalveSon are in line Tor
pitching duty against the Tigers
here today. It Is Salveson'S turn
to work, but the chances are that
Harris will want to tighten
weaver for the start Of the season.