The Washington times., 1937-04-12
;RIFFITH SATISFIED With ASPECT OF 1887 ENTRY
0utfieId SET.
WithPresenCe
|. OF Simmons
BY FRANK BUCK O'NEILL

ATLANTA, Ga, April 12-As
the Washington Griffmen rolled
INTO Atlanta this morning to take
the field against the Crackers Of
the Southern Association, Presi.
dent Clark C. Griffith is on his
way to Washington, to complete
arrangements for the opening Of
the season one week from today.
The team will reach Washington
Wednesday morning.
81 am satisfied with the Wash
ingtOn team as constituted"
Griffith said before boarding
the train at Chattanooga for
home. 81 am sure that we will
finish in the first three. and
would not be- surprised If we
won the pennant. There are
numerous reasons why we
might win the flag. Chief
among them is that we are
stronger than we were last year.
The Yankees, due to the hold
out of Ruffing, and the advance
in age of certain key players,
are less fOrmids BILE.
II am responsible for the deal
that brought AL Simmons to
Washington" Griff continued.
II think Simmons will add
power where we need it. He has
made two throws to the plate
that retired players and cut off
runs. He will hit-Al Simmons
always has hit. I am delighted
with his spirit will to win.
BEST IN GAME
"The Washington Outfield
ranks with the best in the game.
Chapman is in a batting slump
right now, but he will be all
right when the season starts.
His defense, particularly his
throwing, have been fine. Stone
will stop these fellows trying to
get extra bases on hits into
right field. He has a fine arm.
1--WE have a great young in
field. KuheI will not be 81 un.
til June, and his best days are
before him. Myer or MihaIiO
will play all the baseball You
need at second base.
"On the left side of the In
field" Griff said with a ring Of
pride in his voice, I'VE give you
the two prize youngsters Of the
American League. Cecil Travis
at shOrtstOp, and Buddy Lewis
at third. guess Washington
fans know about them by this
time, but they improved so much
this spring that it is hard to
recognize them as the players
of last veT
And they were good ball play
ers last year"
Right down the line the silver
haired executive went, giving q
pat on the back to Shanty Hogan
who is working wonders with the
pitchers.
THE pitching will be good
enough to win" Griffith said
1--WE have a corps of starters
Monte Weaver among them-whe
can get us home If they're handled
properly. You can look for bet
ter pitching by Buck Newsom, es
pecially against the more formid
able clubs. If he comes on ant
wins 20 games. or maybe %, beat
ing the Yankees more often thar
he has in the past, we're going tt
be right in there "
Smith Meets Friends
William Andrew Smith walked
into the hands of admiring friends
from the good old days when Bill
was king Of the minor leagues anC
his stronghold was in Atlanta
Three times during King Billy
reign his feudatories marched
forth to conquer. In 1907 he swep
all before him, and repeated il
1909. Four years later his legion
sWarmed over the Southern AsSo
citation.
PERHAPS you may sniff at mino
league victories. but no other king
or prince, or palatine ever VOL
three pennants down here. Eddi
Moore, present master of the Al
lanta Crackers, has won twice
Larry Gilbert won twice. Perhap
Moore will win this year.
Billy Smith sent Russell For
and Ed Sweeney to the Yankees
and Dode Paskert to the Cincir
natl Reds. Bob Spade went fror
the Crackers to win pitching fam
in the National League. Riv Bi!
land, once shortStop of the Pitt!
burgh Pirates, and Harry Welcf
once a marvellous defensive player
carried the banner of King Bill
to triumph in the minor league.
Like all other old-timerS, Bill
loves to talk about the days whel
he was in the thick of it. An
oil OF Ril1y'c Frioplc admit " Ua