Evening star., 1942-06-27
Quit Until Major Type
Play Can Be Staged,
Briggs Suggests
Griffmen, Roted Minor
Gloss, Can't Get Talent;
Browns Rep Newsom
BY BURTON HAWKINS,
Star Staff Correspondent

81, IOOlS, June Zf.-Wlln
minimum of weeping. wailing and
otherwise unbecoming conduct let's
explore the Mats future, or at least
skim the surface of that sad sub
Ject. To be blunt. brief and mildly
prophetic, WaShington's baseball
outlook is dreary and is calculated
to remain so until three dots and
a dash become reality.
The current edition of the Mats
Is threatening to shatter several
traditions. Not since Clark Griffith
took command of the club in 1912
have they finished in the base
ment-l909 was the last time that
occurred. In a managerial career
that was launched successfully in
1924 Bucky Harris never has pilUted
q team to eighth place
War has taken tremendous bit
out of the Mats. When Uncle Sam
beckoned Shortstop Cecil Travis
and Third Baseman-O
Buddy Lewis the Mats were relieved
Of their two best hitters. Uncle also
requested the services of numerous
rockies and minor league prospects
the cream of what little talent
Griffith had been able to develop.
Mats Classed as Minors.
That is as it should be, of course
but it has cheapened the Mats.
Youngsters like Jack Sanford, Hills
Layne, Dick Mulligan, etc, possibly
NNacIoi,ontny,
more formidable team this year. but
they're performing more important
chores in more respected uniforms.
More Washington property fig
ures to be summoned for service,
and the problem of requirements
represents no minor matter. When
the Mats call up a shortStop with
little more than year Of organized
baseball experience and a second
baseman hitting $50, times are
tough. Still. Shortstop Johnny
Sullivan and Second BaSeman Ellis
Clary doubtless represent the cream
OF Washington'S farm crop.
The poorer clubs naturally will
feel the pinch more rapidly. but at
least one rich owner has expressed
the opinion it might be discreet to
abandon baseball next season.
Walter O. Briggs, wealthy owner of
the Tigers, has confessed to inti-
mates that such course might be
wise and that despite the fact De-
troit is drawing more customers
this season than in l94l.
Briggs thoughts may be his own
exclusively, but running through his
mind may be the idea to preserve
the Caliber Of major league base
Of play won't be reduced by steady
induction of talented performers.
Bad as the Mats are, they don't
figure to improve this season. next
season or any season until the war
IS won. Washington is minor
league team in major league set
tins, and the situation isn't likely
to be altered for some time.
As in any battle, reserves are
vital, Washington, consistently
kicked around under current condi-
tlons, hardly may hope TO improve
without those replacements.
Browns Pepper NewSom.
The Mats lost again last night.
absorbing an 8-5 defeat by the
Browns, but had the consolation OF
scoring few runs after a brace of
successive shutouts by the White
Sox. II was Washington 18th
loss in its last IS games and its
third straight.
Buck Newsom, who has won one
Of his last 10 starts, famed 10 in
his six-lnning effort, but the Browns
nicked him for a run in the first
and added three more in the fifth
on Chet LaabS' homer with two on.
st. Louis clipped Buck for another
three-run outburst in the sixth
when Harlond Gifts double cleared
loaded bases and produced It's final
run of Ray Scarborough in the
seventh.
The Mats manufactured their first
run in 81 innings in the third when
W SCuIt
George Case. then snatched a briefly
enjoyed 81 lead in the fifth. New
som opened that rally, incidentally,
by batting left handed for the first
time in his career He amazed 1851
customers and himself by looping
q single to left.
Vernon spanked Washingtons IL
hit attack against Eden Auker with
three singles, while McQuinn. Laabs
and Glenn McQuillen each con-
tributed two hits TO the Browns
ll-hit assault.
Alexandra CarrsSquel was to face
the Browns Denny Galehouse on
the mound here today Washing
ton will play double header here
tomorrow.