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Fading
The Sporting News, August 13, 1936
RED SOX PITCHERS WILT IN AUGUST HEAT
Bill Carrigan Looking for Answers
BOSTON--As recently at July Fourth, the Boston Red Sox occupied their customary position at the top of the American League standings. In the five weeks or so that have elapsed since then, the veteran pitchers who have formed the core of the Red Sox pitching rotation for years have suddenly started to show their age.
Neal Brady, who on that glorious national holiday won the 300th game of his illustrious career, has struggled since then. The 39-year-old righthander has clearly lost a bit off his fastball, and while he can compensate for some of the effects of age with his remarkable knowledge of the pitcher's art, it is clear that he isn't the hurler who could be marked down for at least a score of victories each season.
Waite Hoyt, two years younger than Brady, has also found the going much tougher in 1936. Hoyt is allowing just over a hit per inning pitched, and like many moundsmen who allow batters that much success, his record hovers around the break-even point.
Age can't be blamed for the hardships endured by Ray Brown this summer, however. Brown, in the prime of his career at age 26, has simply been victimized by bad luck. He is pitching well enough to win, but on the days he takes the mound, his teammates haven't seemed to produce runs.
Manager Bill Carrigan has auditioned several pitchers for the final spot in his rotation. Fritz Oestermueller, Danny MacFayden, Red Ruffing, and Larry Boerner have all had their chance to nail down the job, but none have managed to pitch well enough to do so.
Pat O'Farrell, the general manager of the Boston club, was supposedly in the market for pitching before the recent trade deadline, but found no takers. With pitching talent at a premium, it isn't surprising that O'Farrell failed to swing a deal to bring a talented younger arm to Beantown...
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