Evening star., 1942-03-14
Must Shake Off
.keekness, Vet
Warns Rocks
RoIIies Thot Defect
indians, Bosox Show
Clubs Possibilities
BY BURTON HAWKINS,
Star Staff Correspondent.

SANFORD, Fla, March l4.-Four
starts couldn't be exchanged for a
patched inner tube after April IA
but the astounding Mats neverthe-
less appear to be doing themselves
a favor that may yield dividends
this summer.
What has transpired in the last
several days has amazed followers
Of Washington's seemingly punch
less ball club. without the aid OF
mirrors. it has registered l0-7 and
1872 triumphs over the Indians and
Red Sox, respectively, and on each
occasion it came from behind.
A correct report could be that 1t
doesn't mean much. After all. the
Mats captured II Of Is exhibitions
last year, then were left at the
post when the barrier was nfteo
for the American League campaign
The wins couldn't be swapped for
a cup OF coffee in June, but the
manner in which the Mats have
been winning games may serve as
a tonic.
On Thursday at Clearwater this
Mats apparently were beaten as early
as the third inning when Cleveland
had compiled 60 lead, but the
Mats broke out with rash OF
power and proceeded to pour 10
runs across the plate. At Sarasota
Yesterday, the Mats hadn't obtained
a hit in six innings and wera TRAIL
ing o. but in the next three innings
they went wild to manufacture "A
hits and dozen runs.
Should Boost Club Spirit.
They were embarrassing episodes
for Cleveland and Boston. but TO
the Mats Bruce Campbell those
games are regarded as important
to Washington. The veteran out
fielder believes the Mats come
backs should serve as warning to
the younger members OF the ciuo:
"Those games should show us all
that If we stay in there and oattle
everv inch of the way that sooner
or later the breaks may start COM
ing our way" observes Bruce. NO
BODY expects much of us and the
other clubs subconsciously might
relax when playing US, but MAYBE
we can fool them.
Were not supposed to go any
where this wear and we won't II We
start with that attitude. II we nus
tie all the time. though, We may get
breaks that otherwise wouldn't come
our wav. We could surprise some
people and I think the fellow that 5
going to do a lot Of surprising is BOD
Repass. Hes a good shortstop.'
Campbell is striking at one OF the
Mats chief flaws. For several sea-
sons they have been nursing an IN
feriority complex, proving 1t hasn =
been misplaced. What Campbell
means to say is that the Mats would
do better to forget the Yankees, In
dians. Red Sox. etc. are supposed 10
be superior teams and attempt to do
their own work with more conf
dence.
Mace Brown Pounded.
Washington's Is a young team,
generally. and what happened
against the Indians and Red Sox
NAV filter through to their impress
sive minds. It's a team that could
appear respectable If it hustles every
minute. but an outfit that will be
woefully inept If it doesn't.
Against the Red Sox yesterday the
Mats seemingly weren't ticketed to
obtain a hit. For Ave innings Joe
Dobson set them down regularly.
allowing only two men to reach first
through the medium of walks. Mace
Brown followed that pattern in the
sixth inning. but in the seventh
Washington went to work.
Campbell tripled to right for the
Mats first hit and Jake Early's dou-
BILE fetched him home. Repass later
singled to score Early with what
represented the tying run. Then in
the eighth, the Mats hit the jackpot.
Brown pitched successive singles to
George Case, Stan Spence, Camp
bell. Micky Vernon and Early. Case.
later in the inning. cleared loaded
bases with lusty triple, Seven runs
clattered across the plate and the
Mats added three more off Emerson
Dickman in the ninth.