The Washington times., 1937-04-10
7 cam Boasts
BATTING
Power
BY FRANK BUCK" oNEML

By FRANK BUCK" O'NElLL
CHATTANOOGA. Tenn, April
10-Base hits dropped from heaven
into the batting average Of the
Washington Griffs, in the form Of
AL Simmons, when the Detroit
Tigers astounded the world by rum
ming the puissant pole through the
waiver cradle. Now Clark Griffith
and Stanley Raymond Harris scan
the baseball field, hoping that
miracles will happen twice in the
same season.
No pitcher of promise will be per-
mitted to get out Of the American
League. In dire necessity, there Is
no such thing as a gentleman'S
agreement. 1t may be said in pass
ing, that gentlemen'S agreements
have led to minor.league servitude
by good ball players since the day
the first reserve clause was writ
ten. Right now the need Of the
Washington club is a pitcher; q
young pitcher preferably, to fit in
the clubs building policy.
Room for Two Men
Unless some unforeseen cir.
cumstanceS bring the player or
players sought, there is room for
two men on the team right now.
The GriffS are set for the sea-
son. There are % players under
contract now, but Jack Salveson
will be disposed Of before many
days elapse. In fact, the report
was circulated locally that Salve.
son had been released to Chat
tanooga. It was branded as pre-
mature.
When SalveSon goes there win
be only 81 men on the roster,
and the American League player
limit is 90.
Naturally, Griffith is reluctant
to admit that Salveson can't pitch
major league ball. It is rather
difficult to explain this laugh
able notwithstanding" deal,
even admitting that Whitehill
was alleged to be a firebrand
and something of a clubhouse
lawyer.
Griffith said at q press con.
ference this morning..
"SalveS0n hasn't pitched his
best up to this time. He needs
the advice Of q good catcher.
I'm going to ask Harris to
work him with Hogan behind
the bat and see the difference"
Bucky Harris is not altogether
in accord with the venerable presi-
dent. Harris admitted that il
was about decided to release Salve-
son to minor league club as soon
as the pitchers status in baseball
had been decided by Commissioner
Kenesaw Mountain Lands.
Under baseball law, a player
may not be sent on option to Q
minor league club more than three
seasons. SalveSon has had three
previous trials with major league
clubs. He was with the Giants,
the Pittsburgh Pirates and the
White Sox prior to having his con-
tract purchased from Los Angeles
by the Griffs. The terms of his
previous releases by major league
clubs will be disclosed by Lands.
OptiOned Three Times
If it develops that he has al
ready been optioned three times,
the GriffS will necessarily release
him outright, or retain him to be
used adVantageouSly in trade.
Contending emotions struggle
for supremacy in the conscious
ness of Stanley Harris as he looks
to the opening Of the champion
ship season. Jimmy DeShong
did not. pitch as good ball as he
might have pitched during the
training Sojourn in Orlando. The
club needs DeShong at his best to
fulfill the hopes and expectations
of Harris.
Harris would be better pleased
if Newsom were farther advanced
in condition. The Huntsville VIC
let will pitch this afternoon,
weather permitting
On the other hand, genuine
elation is felt over the remark
able return to form Of Prof. Monte
Weaver. There is not the slight
est vestige Of doubt that Weaver
is in better form row than he has
been for several years. He is Is
pounds heavier than he was last
year, and he carries his stuff
longer. In each Of his tests down
here he was better in his last
inning than in his first. And ne
has conquered his great fault OF
"telegraphing" his pitch.
Harris has given little serious
thought to the matter of naming
his opening game pitcher. There
is a possibility that Joe Cascarella
may win the honor. Likewise. there
is a strong possibility that Pete
Appleton will be named. Buck
Newsom is a candidate. and If you
want to play a long shot. place a
bet on the quiet, but grimly de.
termined Prof. Monte Weaver.
Central Outshoots Riders