Evening star., 1939-07-22
By Stan Correspondent Of The Star

CLEVELAND. July 22.-A little
weary of the whole business, the
travel-worn Mats finish another
Western jaunt with game today and
two tomorrow against the Indians
and then head homeward with an
unrestrained sigh of relief. The
green pastures of Griffith Stadium
will be welcome sight to the sore
and in batting sence. somewhat
erratic-eyes of Bucky Harris boys.
and come what may, it will be diff
cult to imagine anything tougher
than this expiring trip. Home never
was like this.
Joe Krakauskas. hoop-legged Lith-
uanian who is just beginning to find
himself in a pitching way. drew the
starting assignment for this after
Moons contest and was to be op-
posed by long Willis Hudlin, fair
to-middling chucker who does about
as well against the Mats as any
body
This will be Joes last chance this
trip of proving that he really has
discovered how to bend a curve
properly over the outside corner, or
how to whisk a fast ball by the bat
ter when he isn't looking With
each additional start Krakky has
deteced some new flaw in his pitch
ing technique and has gone to
great trouble to eliminate same.
When next you see him at Griffith
Stadium the kid'll surprise you.
Krakky Strives for POise.
Early on the trip Krakky an
nounced that he had learned to
follow through on his pitches and
was putting all the beef and sinew
on his ample frame behind each
throw. He furthermore discovered
that the best pitchers sometimes
are nicked for hits-frequently, Is
a matter of record-and resolved to
remain cool and collected and not
get ratified and panic-stricken every
time base hit zoomed by his ears.
Maybe he has something there,
because Joseph has been no study in
poise or confidence when squirting
at batter. In his last start against
Detroit, however, he showed vast
Improvement, going the full route
and allowing only six hits. 1t marked
milestone in his efforts at self
Improvement and Harris was hop
ing today would bring no relapse.
The team is returning with a
brand-new first baseman, Mickey
Vernon, who graduated from
Springfield, where he displayed un-
mistakable signs of developing into
a major Lacquer, but who has yet
to prove himself a grade A product.
Vernon broke in with a bang-one
single in twin-bill against the AS
and was downright brilliant
against the Yankees vaunted hurl-
ing corps, but since has faded into
comparative obscurity The willowy
youngsters keen target-eye has been
baffled consistently by a varied as
sortment of pitching, although at
this early date he appears to have
no outstanding weakness.
Against the Yanks he swung at
few bad balls, and knowing what
he wanted, waited for it and even
tually got it. He currently is follow
ing the same plan, but balls he hit
in his early days up are slipping by
or being fouled off. Mickey ism t
getting a good hold on the ball.
Giuliani Proves Helpful.
The club has had its share of in
juries this trip, with Rick Ferrell
the newest entry on the hospital list.
Ferrells damaged digit served the
double purpose of saving Jake Early
from brief sentence to Chattanooga
and giving Angelo Giuliani an op-
portunity of proving his worth be-
hind the plate, and Angy has been
making good.
Harris never has found fault with
Giuliani's work. Every time the
lad got into action he performed in
excellent style, but Ferrell's presence
on the roster always precluded any
chance of obtaining steady work.
Well, Rick will be idle for the next
few days at least, and Angy will have
plenty of time to establish himself
as a genuine candidate for the reg
ular assignment.
While Harris will be glad to
shepherd his little flock homeward,
the Nat pilot has no reason for
hanging his head merely because
it wasn't q winning foray. Only once