Evening star., 1942-03-26
Club Dangerous
t InfieId Gets
More Power
Grif Likes HurIers,
But Won't Predict
Strong Finish
BY BURTON HAWKINS,
Star Stan CORRESPONDENT.


ORLANDO, Fla, March 26.-
President Clark Griffith of the Mats.
who in previous seasons has suffered
multiple conclusions and compound
fractures from venturing too far out
on shaky limbs, isn't permitting
himself to be quoted in rash out
bursts of optimism in connection
with his current collection of ath-
letes, but the old gentleman is be-
ginning to get enthusiastic.
Griffith this season is charting a
new conversational channel. He
isn't predicting the downfall Of the
Yankees, although he suggests 1t
could occur, nor is he prematurely
placing Washington In the first
division.
TOO many things can happen this
year for me to make any kind Of
prediction" says Griff. who for
merly was good for a prediction
every time he stuffed stogie in his
mouth. I'll say this, though-that
if We had a hard-hitting third base
man we'd have a chance.
We're weak at third" confesses
Griffith. But I don't know If III
be able to do anything about 1t. I've
tried about everything I know to
land us hitting third baseman
without weakening us in other spots
and I haven't been able to do busi-
ness.
CrOucher's Absence Hurting.
"We have the best crop of rookie
pitchers we've ever had. They all
seem to have arrived at the same
time. think We'll get good pitching
this year, but we need a third base
man who can hit to make us dan
gerous. I don't think we'll look bad
in many games because our pitching
will be good"
Griffith is refusing to plunge over
board despite the Mats IL victories
in Is exhibition games. He recog-
nizes the Mats require fortiflcation
at second base as well as third. for
there now is grave doubt If Frank
Croucher will aid the club.
Croucher. who came to the Mats
from Detroit, was ticketed to handle
second base, but every time he
attempts to throw a ball he suffers
stabbing pains tn his arm. There is
fear a nerve is injured-that the
condition may be chronic-and
Washington's infleld requirements
aren't the best.
Manager Bucky Harris is reduced
to employing Jimmy Pofahl, a con-
verted weak-hitting shortstop, at
second base, favoring his experience
over the exuberant 18-year-old
Eddie Lyons. Eddie doubtless will
be graduated into regular job in
another year. He could move in this
season if Crouchers arm continues
to all and Pofahl disappoints, but
Harris feels Jimmy is better risk
at the moment.
McNair Being Sought.
Griffith now is bidding for
Detroit's Eric McNair, an infielder
who could aid the Mats at least
defensively at second or third. Stan
Gale, the rookie importation from
Milwaukee, isn't deemed adequate
at third and Roberto Estalella
hasn't proved he can play third base
or hit major league pitching.
The Mats own one Of the leagues
better first basemen in slim Mickey
Vernon. and in Shortstop Bob Re-
pass Washington has stumbled
across a defensive gem. The other
so per cent of the infield is worry
ing Griffith, however. despite the
Mats currently beautiful behavior.
He's trying to remedy the situation
but the law of supply and demand
has stymied him. Hard-hitting
third basemen are as scarce as nap
kin rings in an armchair restau-
rant.
Washington pitching continues
to remain on the sparkling side. Sid
Hudson and Alexandra Carrasquel
collaborated in dealing the Red Sox
a 6-2 trimming here yesterday,
limiting Boston to nine hits, includ-
ing three scratch singles.
The Mats mustered two runs in
the first inning on Stan Spence's
single, Bruce Campbell's triple and
Vernon's infield out that scored
Campbell, but the Red Sox bounced
back with a brace of runs in the
second. parlaying a walk. two
singles and a double steal into
temporary tie.
Washington resumed slugging
against Charley Wagner to score a
run in the third. then whacked him
for two more in the fifth on George
Cases single, Campbell's double
and Jake Early's single Mike Ryba
was charged with Washington's
other run in the sixth.