Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-05-20
Failure Of Early
And Vernon iq
Blow 10 Griffs
Cutcher's Vision Awry,
But First Bosemun's
Flop Is Mystery
BY BURTON HAWKINS.
Star staff Correspondent.

ST. LOUIS, May 20.-Serving to
grease the sliding board for WASH
ington's seemingly inevitable plunge
into the American League basement
is the twin tobogganing Of Mickey
Vernon and Jake Early. Those
slump shackled Mats rank IL In
Manager Bucky Harris early season
disappointment department.
1t has been a brutal blow to the
Nats-the complete batting collapse
of Vernon and Farly-for last season
they indicated they were headed
upward. that 1912 would mark the
most successful year for both. YER
non, with his .299 batting average,
was second only to Cecil Travis in
driving Mats across the plate last
season and Early came with q rush
to tie Buddy Lewis for home run
honors among the Mats with 10.
Harris had no misgiving when he
promoted Vernon to the vital No. 1
spot In the batting order this Spring.
Mickey had demonstrated he was a
reliable character when mates were
on base. with his frequent long range
clouting.
Helps Washington Sag.
Mickey, though, launched spring
training in slump and never has
emerged from the tailspin. The Mats
moved through a tough exhibition
game slate in spiffy style. figuring
that when Vernon started to hit
there was no doubt his slump was
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT would have
the markings Of first division threat.
Vernon couldn't shed the slump,
however, and Bruce Campbell was
shifted into the cleanup berth.
Mickey simply can't get going, as
his 203 batting figure would indicate,
and his failure to click has been in
strumental in Washingtons sagging
status.
Vernon's prolonged slump remains
a mystery. for unless he is shielding
i'll health there apparently Is no ex-
PLANTATION. 1t could be. of course,
that he requires rest. Washington's
only first baseman, Mickey received
no rest this spring and his slim
frame may be protesting.
Early's decline doubtless Is at
tributable to faulty vision. Recently
In desperation, Jake decided to wear
glasses while hitting but after q
brief trial he isn't inclined to believe
the specs have helped.
Jake is hitting 166. He is hitting
less than he weighs, in fact. and
the Mats are suffering from the
lack of long distance batting he
was calculated to supply. He hasn't
hammered . homer this season and
it's getting so he's gratifled when
he belts a ball past the confines
of the infleld.
Meet Browns Tonight.
Mickey and Jake are two OF the
more sincere Mats and their respec-
tive slumps are torture to them,
They were rated rapidly improving
players last season who figured to
approach their peaks this year.
Early Wynn will seek his fourth
victory of the season here tonight
when the Mats tangle with the
Browns under the lights. Washing
ton also will face st. Louis tomorrow,
with Sid Hudson slated to pitch,
then return to Griffith Stadium
Saturday to meet the Yankees in
the Army-Navy Relief game.
Manager Joe Mccarthy Of the
Yankees has announced he will start
Spud Chandler against the Mats
In the benefit engagement, with
Buck Newsom ticketed to toll for
Washington. Chandler captured a
decision over Newsom in the Mats
second game Of the season.
The Mats will be seeking their
first victory over the Yankees, in
cidentally. Five times New York
has walloped Washington, the last
two times by a margin of one run.
Pitcher Walter Masterson will re-
turn to Washington with the Mats.
Masterson must await waiver OF
color blindness, before enlisting In
the Navy at Great Lakes Naval
Training Station. He expects to
join up next week.