Evening star., 1939-06-29
Nat Near Loop Lead
Passes Up Hitting
Crown Chances
High Standing Possible
For Buddy if Driven,
Milan Contends
By BURTON HAWKINS.

The Mats, it seems, have a quail
fed contender for the American
League batting title in Buddy Lewis,
currently swatting a lofty $50, but
1t appears that isn't exciting Prexy
Clark Griffith and some of his hired
hands. What they fail to fathom
is how Buddy previously has escaped
nudging among baseball's elite in
the whacking department.
Now that the slim third baseman
has demonstrated continued pro-
f1ciency in slamming the leagues
hurting 1t seem. to peeve Nat bosses
he didn't accomplish more along
that line in his three previous sea-
sons here.
The sun-scorched, wrinkled face
Of willy Coach Clyde Milan, now
suffering the manifold tortures of
neuritis, furroWed into a froWn at
the suggestion that Buddy might be
hitting over his head Now trailing
Jimmy FoXX, who owns the league
lead at this point, by a mere three
points, Lewis has hit .291, .314 and
296 since joining the Mats in 1886.
why, doggonit,' WINGED the pain
racked Milan, Il told Buddy this
spring that he and Joe Di Magic
were the worst really good hitters
I've ever seen. Why, with the strokes
those boys have there's no excuse
in the world for them not hitting
at least $50 every year.
Cobb Set Fine Example.
Trouble is" continued Milan,
they're inclined to become lacka-
daisical when they're going good
and the pressure isn't on. BY golly,
the big reason Ty Cobb was such
a great hitter was because he was
fighting for base hit on every
pitch. That guy never let up. If
the score was 1910 against his team
or $50 in favor of it. Cobb still
would be up there scrapping for that
hit.
IF Buddy will ever work himself
Into that frame of mind there's no
telling what he'd hit All he needs
to do to become really great hit
ter is to give himself mental pep
talk each time he walks up to that
plate"
Griffith feels lack of weight has
hampered Lewis. "Buddy's always
been a good hitter" said the avn
ing-browed Nat owner, but until
recently he's been below form. The
first season he was with us he hit
$40 or $3.50 until midseason, and
then he started falling off.
Right now he hasn't the consti-
tuition to play every day during
those hot summer months and not
be affected But if he ever picks
up some weight he's gonna be a real
power hitter"
Lewis himself has no explanation
to offer for his somewhat sudden
surge toward league batting laurels.
He always has been figured as a
good hitter who lacked the stamina
to stick among the leaders when
August rolled around, but with near
ly half the season vanished Buddy
has indicated he is just getting
started.
DuuuN NOW wore held&cO.
Nav, I haven't changed my
stance or grip or anything" drawled
Lewis. but I'm more relaxed now.
I was tight out there, but Mr.. Grif-
fifth called me in and had a long
talk with me, and tnat Strengthened
me out"
Buddy always figures to take care
Of himself up at that plate" reasons
Manager BCcky Harris. He has
that smooth. powerful stroke, and
there just isn't any substitute for
that
How hot an article Lewis has
been is revealed in his labor over
the last II games played by the
Mats. Over that stretch Buddy has
batted at a terrific .457 pace. And
with that hitting display has come
fielding improvement, for Buddy
isn't making misplays as frequently
as earlier in the season.
Rained out of an engagement
with Boston yesterday, the Mats
today were to clash with the super
charged Yankees in double header
at Griffith Stadium. Ken Chase
and Alexandra Carrasquel were to
pitch for the Mats, with Joe Kra-
kauskas the likely starter tomorrow
in single game with New York.
Tomorrow will be ladies day.
Washington will complete its
lengthy home stand Sunday, facing
the Athletics in a double header.
The Mats also will play Philadelphia
in a single game Saturday.