Evening star., 1949-03-31
Griffs Sure Only
That Walter Is
.Unpredictab|e
Mixes Brilliant, Poor
Slab Work in Bowing
Before PhiIIies
By Burton Howkins
Sior Sfoff Correspondent

| AVA4 "A, 1o., N1d1. u. llC
only prediction anybody will ven-
ture in regard to Pitcher Walter
Masterson of the Mats Is that he
will remain unpredictable. After
seven full seasons in major league
surroundings the big, bronzed
right-hander has the poise of a
champion. the calm assurance
that accompanies confidence and
he oozeS talent But Masterson
can't click consistently.
Walter occasionally has the
brilliance of magnificent fire.
works. but that sparkle vanishes
just as rapidly. In his career with
the Mats he has won 40 games
over a span dating from 1899,
with nearly three years out for
naval service. Probably IS of
those victories have been shutouts.
Those have been the times when
Bucky Harris has said, Hes one
of the top 10 pitchers in the
league; when Ted Williams has
volunteered, "Masterson is the
most improved pitcher in the
league; when Clark Griffith has
said, HE has found himself"
Pitches Out Of jam.
Never did Masterson give a
more typical performance than
when he pitched against the Phil
adelphia Phillies yesterday at Or
lando as the Mats absorbed a IA
walloping. He was nicked for a
run in the first inning on doubles
by Richie Ashburn and Eddie
Watkins, but Walter then braced,
for a while, anyway. He retired
IL batter in order, striking out
three in the process, and the Mats
stirred up a couple Of runs for
him. Then, in the fifth. he walked
the first three batters to face him.
but eased out of that jam mirac-
ulously.
Pinch-hitter Dick Sisler drilled
a grounder back at him. Master
son fired the ball to Catcher Al
Evans, whose quick flip to first
caught Sisler for a double play.
Walter then disposed of Ashburn
on a grounder to Eddie Robinson.
Walter still had a 2-hit game
in his grasp with two out in the
sixth, but he walked Del Ennis
and Bill Nicholson promptly
parked home run over the right
field fence. A single by Willie
Jones, a walk to Eddie Miller. a
Masterson wild throw attempting
to pick Jones off second and an
Eddie Yost error fetched Phila-
delphia another run.
Shines in Streaks.
That's the way it goes with
Masterson. For several innings, or
for several games as in 1947 when
he compiled "a consecutive score
less innings, he resembles the
bright lights of Broadway. Then
unaccountably, somebody pulls the
switch and Masterson goes out.
! He has some classic duels to his
credit. He has whipped Bob FelieI
and he has edged Hal Newhouser
pitching shutouts to accomplish
those objectives. He pitched 10
scoreless innings one day against
Chicago, but only in one season
has he won more games than he
has lost. He's the only pitcher IN
the league who has been around
for a few years who cant SHOW
an edge over any other club.
| The Mats locked the score at
a. in the sixth yesterday when
Evans singled across two runs, but
the Phillies nicked Buzz Dozier Tor
two runs in the seventh and added
another against Dick Weik in the
ninth. Washington accumulated
10 hits off Schoolboy Rowe and
Russ Meyer, while Jones delivered
three of the Phillies' nine hits.
NAT NOTES-Sld Hudson, hoI
shot of the Mats pitching staff,
was to oppose the Cincinnati Reds
here today. Idle tomorrow. the
Mats will battle the Philadelphia
Athletics Saturday and Sunday at
Orlando. Mondays scheduled
game with Chattanooga has been
Cancelled to give the Mats sorely
needed rest. Manager Joe
Kuhel also would relish canceling
Tuesdays game with the Lookouts
and an April 7 game with Newark
Connie Mack and Clark Griffith
will be honored at special cere-
(See MATS, Page ca