The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-05-05
New Catcher
|. Shows Stuff
In Opener
TRIP TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY PLEASANT AUNT FOR FAVORTES
BY FRANK BUCK" ONELL

Of steel, and cat-like agility, are
the physical attributes Of John La
Riddle, the catcher for whom
major league life began at 81.
Beyond the muscular assets OF the
blocky receiver with the badger
haircut is a keen comprehension
of the niceties Of baseball. These
impressions were gathered while
watching Riddle in his start with
the Griffs, his first major league
effort after nine years in the
minor leagues.
The players who shook hands
with Frank Hogan in Philadelphia
on Sunday night, sharing the
grief and disappointment Of the
big Trishman in his untimely re-
lease, welcomed Riddle into their
midst after his performance yes
terday.
Riddle made two hits, line singles
to left field. He is a dead pull
hitter, the sort of a batsman
pitchers aver "can be pitched to-.
One Of his blows came in the
prolific eleventh inning, driving in
q run and keeping the. rally alive.
Riddle Has Action
In the fourth inning Earl Averill
attempted to steal second. At the
time the Indians were riding out
in front and had the game in their
hands. Riddle threw out Averill
by five feet. 1t was the best throw
a Washington catcher has made
in the three years this writer has
been watching the team. Riddle
has the action Of Jimmy Archer.
He can throw off squat and still
get his man.
Riddle kept the Cleveland rum
ners chained to base with snap
throws to Joe Kuhel.
He broke in under tryig circur1-
stances. Buck Newsom was in the
throes of one of his wild and woolly
days, and on such afternoons New
som is no bargain for any catcher.
Improved Every Frame
After Newsom went the way Of
practically all of Washington
moundSmen so far this spring.
Jimmy DeShong came on the
mound. Under the Steadying In
fluence of Riddle, who improved
with every inning, gaining conf.
dence as he guided the pitcher
over one rough spot after another,
DeShong pitched eight innings Of
the best baseball he has shown
since before he faced the Cardi.
mails one afternoon down in Day.
tona. Something happened 10
DeShong that day; something
gave him back yesterday what he
lost in Florida. Jimmy BANKED
the Indians for eight innings, al
lowing them four hits.
"He looked all right" said
Harris, referring to Riddle, "Of
course, it was only one game, but
he is a dangerous hitter and .
smart catcher with q lot Of speed
for big man."
Joe Kuhel was more enthusi.
aStic.
riddle will catch q lot Of men
off bases this season." he said.
He whips that ball around and
keeps q team on its toes. He
got better as the game went
along"
HAS GREAT FORM
"He handled me in fine STYLE"
said Jimmy DeShong. "He kept
mixing up the stuff, with curves,
changes of pace and fast ones.
high and low. He didn't call for
two pitches alike to any one
batter while I was working"
While Riddle was making a glow.
ing success out Of his major league
opportunity the Griffs confirmed
the notice given on Sunday, that
their bats were ready to ring again
and that the drive for the top was
ready to start in earnest. For the
second time in succession they
turned utter and demoralized rout
into ultimate victory.
On Sunday it was with five runs
in the ninth. II was seven runs
in the eleventh yesterday to clinch
game in which the Indians once
led by score of 5 to 2 after
knocking Buck Newsom out Of the
box.
Saved the Game
1t was Ben Chapman who
scored the tying run against the
Athletics and then batted in two
runs that put Sundays game or
ice. It was the meteoric Chap
man who scored the first run Of
yesterdays game by a thrilling
dash from first; who stole home
in the eleventh with the run thai
put the Griffs ahead, and it was
Chapman who produced the single
that drove in the last game rivet
ing runs Of the hectic afternoon.
The Griffs hammered Cleveland
pitchers for 20 hits. Al Simmons
snapped out Of his slump with &
fence shivering double that drove
in the tying run and saved the
game for washington. or certainly
did its share in saving the game
This batting spree linking Sc
closely with the dozen hits made
on Sunday may be accepted as ar
indication that the club really ha