Evening star., 1940-03-07
Has Held berths
Heretofore by
Stickwork
Shortstop Experience
Valuable; Georgian
Now Weighs 100
BY Stan Correspondent Of The Star.

BY Stan Correspondent Of The Star.
ORLANDO, Fla, March This
is going to be Cecil Travis big year.
If the words of veteran baseball
men down here count for anything
and the gangling Georgian's play at
third base in practice sessions is
any criterion.
Back on the hot corner for the
first time since 1896. Travis is
revelation in the Nationals training
camp as he fits into an infield
rounded out by Jimmy Wasdell at
first base. Jimmy Bloodworth at
second and Jimmy Pofahl at short
STOP
From the beginning of his career
as major league regular, Travis
has been holding jobs because of
his batting ability. When he broke
into the Washington lineup six
years ago as a third sacker he was
green and inexperienced on defense
but valuable at the plate.
When Buddy Lewis came along
in 1896 and Travis was shifted to
shortstop he again held a regular
job only because of his punch at |
bat but now, placed back on third
base, he looks the part of a fin
ished infielder.
Far Cry From "a Form.
AS shortstop Travis undoubt-
edly learned great deal because
the Travis of 1884 is far cry from
the fellow who is holding down his
old post these days in the snappiest |
infield drills since 1888. when Joe
Kuhel, Buddy Myer. Joe Cronin and
Ossie Bluege worked together.
Heavier and stronger than ever
before and revealing the benefits
of experience. Cecil stole the show
again yesterday in the daily infield |
workout. Always gifted with a
great arm, Travis now seems to
have the knack of getting down
to ground balls. His four years at |
shortstop seem to have taught him
a great deal and while he never
was high-class defensive player
at shortstop. he definitely has
shown President Clark Griffith and |
Manager Bucky Harris that he can |
be fine fielding third. baseman.
These days the infield drill is
the feature of the daily workout |
by the regulars. Wasdell, minus
much of the extra weight he used
to carry, Is doing all right at first |
base. At second, Bloodworth is
making it tough for Eddie Leip
and Buddy Myer. The youngster |
from Appalachicola, Fla, is cover
ing plenty of ground and unlinber-
ing a great double-play arm.
Trade Talk Dies Down.
Pofahl still hasn't cut loose with
his heaves from shortstop to first
base. The rookie still is little cau-
tious about testing the wing he hurt |
last year at Minneapolis and he is
pushing the ball across the diamond
but as the weather becomes warmer
he is expected to test the arm short
ly. Pofahl seems to have a great |
pair of hands and a fine batting
stroke.
But, all in all. Travis is the fel-
low who is making talk. He has
learned how to get the jump. on
the ball and to play it, instead of
letting the ball play him. Cecil's
arm always was 100 per cent and at
bat he seems to be getting more
distance to his drives. This un-
doubtedly is due to the fact that
Travis now weighs upward of 100 as
against the ITO he carried a year
ago
So we'll has Travis been looking in
workouts that talk of trading him
virtually has died down, although
a deal involving Cecil more than
likely will depend on Wasdell's show
ing. If the first baseman doesn't
make the grade it will be almost
necessary for the Mats to trade for
Rudy York or another first sacker
and Travis apparently is considered
the most valuable and the logical
bait.
Bucky Looking for Pitcher.
The routine of practice was to be
broken today with a game between
the regulars and the Yannigans.
For his pitchers Harris chose Sid
Hudson, Joe Krakauskas and Joe
Haynes, on the side of the regulars,
and Rene Monteagudo, Bill Kennedy |
and Paul Gehrman for the Yanni-
gans.
When the New York Giants ill.,
wade Orlando on Sunday to officially |
open the Grapefruit League cam
paign for the Washington Club,
Harris is expected to send Hudson,
Krakauskas and Gehrman back to
the box for three innings apiece.
These three, he admits, may hold |
the answer to the clubs pitching |
this year.
Meanwhile, Bucky still is study
the waiver lists and trying to figure |
deal whereby the Mats might gain
title to another hurler. This depart
ment, pitching, remains the Achilles