The Washington herald., 1911-04-03
JOHNSON READY TO SIGN
AT THE CLUBS FIGURES
Big Twrler About Won Over and His Salary Will Be
Highest of Any Pitcher in the League


WIN three out of the first four games in
Washington
hahoe was asked what he thought of
the recruit outfielders, and replied that
nc was greatly disappointed.
IN most cases, where six or eight
men arc signed for . trial." he said, lat
least one of them looms up head and
shoulders above the rest. but with this
Drnch we've got they arc all about on
par, and none of them looks as good to
me as Wild Conroy or Germany Schae
fer
These words. from a wise old baseball
head like Kahoe and r man who has
been closer than anybody else to Man
aser McAleer, are worth thinking over.
Talk about your Rube waddelIs Bugs
Raymonds, or other baseball freaks.
none OF these fellows has much on
Dixie Walker when it comes to pulling
off stunts.
In the hotel lobby last night a Saliva
ton Army lassie appeared with her Gus
tomary tambourine, looking for pennies.
Dixie ambled UP to her, bowed pro-
foundry, and said: Madam, if you will
permit me to pass around the tambo
believe all the boys will chip in
With smile the lassie handed over
the collection box and the big twirler
showed ii in front of evcrybody's nose
and absolutely refused to bulge until
coin was dropped in. In addition to a
counterfeit nickel from Gabby Street
Dixie collected A.32 in real money.
Another of Walkers crazy stunts was
pulled of at the ball park last Friday
during practi.c Dixie had finished his
ho ,Itth-
house when he spied a fine-lookinS horse
all nicely saddlcd and tethersd to one
of the posts behind the grand stand
Dixie was soon on tho animals back
and dashed out onto the field full tilt.
He raced around the outfielders and
cried for somebody to bat a ball out in
his direction. declaring he would catch
il without getting off the horse. Mana
ger McAleer started after the eccentric
twirler with a hat. but before he had
taken half dozen steps Dixie had
beaten II to cover.
The story sent out from Atlanta that
Manager McAlecr is after First Base
man Bill Sykes. of the local club. is a
joke. Sykes is good minor league
player, but will never do for the big
show.
Somerlott played in the same league
with Sykes last summer and was con-
sdered a much better man.
It's plain John Sonicrlot. IL you please,
not John Somerlott. The big fellow him
self says so, rut adds that he won't get
mad If the newspapers make a mistake
once in a while and give him an extra
letter.
&c lIy han pla
on the Atlanta club in whom McAleer
might be interested. and because of his |
weight it is doubtful il he could make |
good in fast company. He is Jules Wat |
son, who plays center field. Watson !
stands up to the plate nicely and is a
heavy hitter. None of the big league |
pitchers have been able to fool him thus |
'ar.I His weight, which must be in the |
of 30 pounds would surely |
him. and McAleer would hardly |
are to give him a trial even IL he had |
he opportunity.
During the game between the New |
York Giants and the Atlanta Crackers |
Friday afternoon Manager McAIeer and |
Sam Crane, the old-time star and base
BALL writer, were sitting together when
The former Baltimore Oriole is with Nc
travis team this spring to help coach
he pitchers and always goes to the field
n uniform.
Robbie now weighs Is pounds and
Idmits it without blushinG. but he can
brow 10 bases good enough to catch al
most any would-be stealer and he can
till hit.
In the old days" quoth McAIcer. Il
Ised to play in deep left field for Rob-
lie. He always could hit 'em. and on
more than one occasion he drove one
'ver my head-oh, those were the good
I'D days
Walter johnson and Clyde Milan are
he only members Of the Nationals who
10 not chew tobacco. Johnson frequently
ills his mouth with chewing gum, but
hats as far as he goes,
The Atlanta sun and wind have beau
fully tanned almost every member of
he team. Manager McAleer's complex
on resembles that of a society girl after
wo months at the scashore.
Training camp rules are strict here in
he matter of bedtime hours. At 1880
clock everybody must be in the hay.
nd at a. m. the bellboy or telephone
wakens the sIeepers IL every man is
ot in uniform at Ponce de Leon park
harply at 10 o'clock he gets a good stiff
all down from the boss.
Long John Somerlott, the Nationals
ig firse baseman, Is a noted football
layer and coach. and the good people
{ Ogandola, Ind, still talk about his
reat feats on the gridiron.
ootball around last Monday. Somerlott
andled himself in a manner which be-
okened familiarity with the pigskin
anne. and the writer made bold to ask
i'm if he had ever played before. Long
ohm replied:
Yes, indeed: 1 played tackle on lit
10 college team in my home town. and
Ince my graduation, some three years
go. have always helped out in the
/ think football is one of the
est games in the world
The New Workers. physically look
,uch better than any of the other teams
Tho have visited Atlanta
Arthur Deviin. the Washington boy
Tho is holding down third base for the
iants, will be hard to replace by any Of
he youngsters If reports are to be
rcdited.
With Tom Hughes and Doc Meyer
oming along nicely, and Chief Swain
citing rid of his illness. Manager Nc