Evening star., 1937-03-08
PICKS YOUNGSTER
TO TOP GR|FFMEN
Myer, With Hard Row to
Hoe, Held Question Mark
of Inner Gordon.
nv wv, 4 Nvryrc II STANr
BY FRANCIS E. STAN,
Ataf Correspondent OF The Star.

~ RLANDO, Fla, March g.
Bucky Harris is going around
the Nationals training camp
~ with my buddy" theme
on his lips and, while he is anything
but crooner, a lot of willing ears
are listening.
Bucky's new baseball baby is named
Buddy ;. the one on the Washington
club Was christened John Kelly
Lewis. For a full week Harris has
been eyeing his outfit under Orlando's
bright sun and, as he said today, IF
! had to name the best hitter on the
club right now, Id say he is Buddy
Lewis"
Those who have followed closely
the fortunes of Buddy are assured
of an interesting year and there are
many who are watching his second
year in major league ball with more
than passing interest. His back
ground deserves it. At IT he was
passed up by the Giants. At 10 he
not only held a regular job with
Washington but he won the acclaim
OF diamond fans and critics. who un-
qualifledly stamped the North Caro-
linian the best Unfolding rookie of
the year in the American League.
Now it becomes a pleasure to report
that nobody Is approaching Lewis in
batting practices. The return of
Buddy Myer will mean that Lewis
will be dropped down in the batting
order to make room for Myer. There,
Lewis will be given a chance to drive
across runs. If he makes good under
the traditional "second-year test" he
may be valuable sort of person to
have batting in the sixth hole, or
thereabouts.
Travis Better Hitter-Griff.
RUDDY has been stepping to the
plate in the batting drills and
pumping base hits all over spacious
Tinker Field. The pitchers have be-
come little quicker with each
passing day but Lewis seems to take
their deliveries in stride. He's been
swatting Eddie Linke, Joe Cascarella
and the other right handlers and. best
OF all. showing no signs Of lessening
his attack when southpaws such as
Ken Chase, Dick Lanahan and sgd
Cohen start throwing
Harris liking for Lewis as hitter
Is genuine, so much so. in fact. that
Bucky and Owner Clark Griffith put
on friendly argument. Bucky passed
the remark that Lewis probably was
the best hitter on the club. Hes got
the stroke, Griff," commented Harris.
II wouldn't be surprised if he led the
team in hitting"
Griffith is anything but belittler
OF the kid, who turned 20 only last
Fall, but he likes Cecil Travis in
hitting way. The Old Fox thinks that
Travis, year after year, will prove to
be the better hitter.
When all was said and done, Harris
passed an appropriate remark. We'll.
In either case, We know we've got
couple infielders who'll forever hit
Remember, I didn't say that Travis
couldn't hit. think they both will as
long as they last in base ball"
InfieId Drills Start Today.
INCIDENTALLY, today was to mark
the first infeld practice of the
season. Every infelder on the squad,
with the exception of Johnny Mihalic,
has been working for at least a few
days in camp. Bucky believes they
are about ready to start loosening the
kinks, and 50 today he was to get Joe
Kuhel on first base. Myer on second.
Travis at short and Lewis on third.
Jimmie Wasdell, the smooth working
rookie, was to share work with Kuhel.
There is little doubt in camp as to
the capability of the Nationals infield
this year. From executives Of the club
down to the lowliest rookie, there Is a
feeling that Washington's Kukel-
Mysr- -Travis-Lewis quartet ranks as
one Of the leagues best. Strangely.
IN light Of the mans record over the
last 10 years, Myer is held to be the
question mark
Never in his major league career,
which was started with the Washing
tons, has Kukel looked better at this
stage Of the season. The presence Of
Wasdell may have played a part but,
be that as it may, joey has attained
almost playing form in a week. Lewis
seems destined to hurdle the second
year test" and Cecil Travis finally has
earned commendation from both Grit
nth and Harris on his play at short.
Travis Winning Approval.
THERE has been no regular infield
- practice to date, but Travis has
missed few moments at short while
Harris or Coach Nick Altrock batted
grounders during batting practice.
Ieaner than he has been any time in
the last two years, Travis seems
to have become quicker on his feet,
Anyway, they say he can't miss.
That brings up the question Of Myer
and. for the time being nobody is
willing to venture beyond the conjec-