Evening star., 1938-03-12
De SHONG, WEAVER
CANDIDATES
Chase, Krakky, Appleton in
Fight-Leonard, HogSett
Due Rescue Duties.
BY FRANCIS E. STAN,

StdH correspondent OF ne Slar.
ORLANDO, Fla, March 12-With
nearly two weeks of preliminary train
ing behind them, Mr.. Clark Grifith's
assorted pitchers are ready now to
bear down and throw some light on
the question of which quartet will
open in the American League season as
starters.
There is no doubt as to the identity
Of the staff as a whole. The Kohl
mans, Wynns, Coppolas and Brain
ards are down here in the Mats train
ing camp for the exercise But out
side of Wesley Ferrell, nobody seems
certain of a starting assignment on
the conventional fourth day.
Ferrell. who pitched more innings
last year than any American League
pitcher, is sure to pitch the opening
game, barring injury. Manager Bucky
Harris thinks Yves is the logical choice
and Bucky is the man to decide.
Thereafter Wesley will take his regu-
lar turn. But his running mates are
something Harris is not ready to an
nounce chiefly because he doesn't
know
Weaver Hot Spring Pitcher.
Jimmy De Shong, who has won 80
games for the Mats in the two years
he has worn a Washington uniform,
is strong contender. De Shong fig
ures to rank as the No. 2 pitcher, but
a lot Of things can happen. Last
spring, when De Shong failed to get
started, Harris denoted him to the
bullpen for stretch.
Monte Weaver is particularly good
bet, if only because he does his best
pitching in the spring. Monte looks
good this year He is stronger than
ever and uses a different wind-up,
one calculated to add zip to his fast
ball. But Monte isn't gilt-edged.
Griffith is set on giving Ken Chase
and Joe Krakauskas. his left-handers,
every opportunity to be starters. The
old gentleman thinks both will make
the grade. Harris is more conserva-
tive in his appraisal of the south
paws. He wants to be shown. So far,
Ken and Joe have shown little. What
attention has been attracted to pitch
ers has been divided between Emil
Dutch) Leonard, the ex-Dodger, and
Weaver.
Last, but not out of the running,
is Pete Appleton. You haven't heard
much of Appleton this spring. But
the veteran cllrve-baller has been
going along quietly and is ready for
the test. With Pete it seems to be a
question Of having the will to win.
If Appleton becomes too contented. he
Is something less than wholly salts
factory
Leonard, Chief to Relieve.
Leonard and Elon Hogsett. the vet
Grams acquired during the winter via
the draft and a trade. respectively,
are down on Harris list as relief work.
ers. Bucky wants to be able to call
big Leonard from the bullpen when
a long right-handed hitter walks to
the plate in the clutch. He thinks
Dutch's dipsy-doodle will fool few
hitters and be most effective when it
isn't put on display too often.
Hogsett will do the relieving when
the menacing southpaw hitter threat
ems to break up the ball game. The
Chief throws mean sidearm ball
1t is no fun for the lefties to stand
up to the dish against Hogsett
The only other pitcher to be re-
tanned probably will be Ray Phebus,
the stecky little right-hander, who has
been around in baseball. Ray will be
used for mopping-up purposes. There
may be better and younger prospects
on the squad than Ray but he has
too big an edge for experience and
steadiness to worry about their bids
this spring.
The drill yesterday marked the first
infield practice OF the regulars. With
Joe Kuhel on first base, Buddy Myer
on second, Cecil Travis at short and
Buddy Lewis on third, Coach Clyde
Milan whacked grounders for IS busy
minutes. Rick Ferrell made his debut
behind the plate and cut loose with
his throwing for the first time. That
ended the regulars practice, leaving
the field for the yannigans