The Washington times., 1937-05-04

Hill, Si.ngton
Are Trading
Material
By FRANK buck" O'NEnL

By FRANK BUCK" O'NEILL
CLEVELAND, May 4.-The
trade that shunted Frank Hogan
back to the minor leagues, to night
baseball and bus rides, will not be
the last made by the Washington
baseball club If efforts now being
made by President Clark C. Gfff.
fifth are successful. An outfielder
Is being sought, and it would not
be surprising if Taft Wright, the
rookie who starred at Orlando
only to be farmed out to Chatta-
nooga, were recalled.
Wright was shipped back to the
LookoutS not because he had failed
to satisfy the demands of Stanley
Harris and Griffith, but because he
was a left-handed batter, and the
GriffS already are top-heavy with
left-handed batsmen.
The Washington officials are
not considering Wright alone. He
is the only man readily available,
and the only man on the Chatta.
nooga club regarded as eligible, un.
less they recall Jimmy WaSdell
and convert him into an outfielder.
Such action would ruin one of the
best young first baSemen seen in
recent years.
Hard to Find
President Griffith is experienc,
ing great difficulty in finding an
outfielder who bats right handed
and possesses the other qualifica-
lions for major league baseball.
Among the chief reasons for this
difficulty is that practically every
one eligible is thte property Of
some other major league club, and
playing on minor league farm.
Those farms are now starting
their pennant races, and naturally
have no desire to sell their pre-.
ferred chattelS. They might con.
slider certain trades, but as mat
tiers now stand, the trading ma
terial of the Griffs consists of Fred
Slngton and Jess Hill. Either one
would make great player in q
minor league. Both, it would seem,
lack certain essentials to make
them major league standouts.
"WOuId Hill be a good player
II he were in the lineup every
day." Harris was asked.
He would" replied the mana
! ger.
rs he good enough to break
into the Washington lineup?"
was asked.
HE is ON the BENCH" replied
the manager.
els the same true of Sing
tOn?" the inquisitOr persisted.
ut is" was the answer.
The Washington club is in ideal
position to promulgate one or
more trades. The erican
League player limit is %, and the
club now carries % men. In adj
dition to a good outfielder who
can hit, need for one being urgent.
the team might buy a pitcher.
The Yankees want $4,000 for
Johnny Murphy, and it is doubt
full if he would be available to
Washington at that price. The
1Ou44AAS case 4CAAA0A440 ia 0bGkVI0
quo.
Seeks Victories
Leaving the PRONUNCIATION Of
trades to the front office at home,
Stanley Harris is concerned with
the present and the urgent busi'
ness Of winning some ball games.
AL Simmons will play left field
again today after a brief rest.
Simmons will bat fifth with
Johnny Stone hitting fourth.
Stone has opened the season in
fine style, and is hitting the ball
hard. Batting in fourth place
he should be able to drive in
plenty Of runs.
Simmons was most impressive
in the long batting drill held by
the team yesterday. He hit three
balls over the fence in deep right
center and cracked three or four
others that would have been good
for extra bases.
Simmons has suffered acute
mental anguish because Of his
slump, which he devoutly hopes
will end today.