Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-17
WANT M'bR|DE AND
CATCHER A|NSM|TH
New York Club Willing to Give
Knight and One Other
Player.
GRIFFITH NOT ANXIOUS
TO MAKE THE SWAP
Predicts That Nationals Can.
tain Will Be Found at Old
Place in 1912.
Special Dispatch 10 The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
NEW YORK. December Jeff Manager
Harry Wolverton of the IIighlanders can
find running mate for Jack knight who
will be satisfactory to Clark Griffith. the
chances are that the lanky shortstop will
go to Washington as a first baseman.
while Catcher Ainsmth and Shortstop
Mcbride will come to the hilltop Such n
trade would make the New York club a
hummer
For several days wolverton has been
making strenuous efforts to secure Aim
smith and Mcbride. but Griffiths d. mands
have been more than he felt inclined to
meet Griffith Is anxious to get knight.
but he would not give up one OF his star
catchers and his star .shortstop unless
another very strong man was turned over
to him by New York. That other player
is the one thing missing to complete one
OF the most important base ball deals OF
the year. Griffith intimated that he would
like to get Chase. but Wolverton laughed
at this.
Will Not Trade Chase.
Il would like to say to the public" said
Wolverton yesterday. that l will not
trade Chase under any circumstances L
consider him the greatest first baseman
in the world. and any manager would be
foolish to get rid of a man like that Hal
and are good friends, and I am sure
that he will play good bail for me. This
talk of possible d.ssatisfaction on the
part of Chase is all tommyrot He could
not help playing good ball. He is my
friend, and 1 know he will help US to get
as near the top of the ladder as possible"
Wodverton admits that he Is up against IL
for a good catcher. and the securing OF a
good backstop is his one aim right now.
since Blair has been sent to the minors
the bulk Of the work will be up to Swee-
ney. Williams. the young fellow did
pretty well last season. but he is far from
finished catcher. A new man named
Russell has been signed. and. unless a
trade is made for a star. these two will
have to fight it oui for second choice
backstop.
Ainsmith Great Catcher.
Ainsmith OF Washington is one of the
best catchers in the business and many
managers have been after him. Clark
Griffith realizes the value OF this man,
however. and nobody is going to get him
unless they turn loose something equally
as good.
Wolyerton is anxious to get Mcbride
Of Washington for shortstop. and that
makes IL evident that he is thinking OF
using Jack knight in trade.
The new manager OF the Highlanders
believes he has the makngs of a good
team just as things stand. but, naturally.
he wants to improve it il he can. Ur-
less he can get Ainsmith and Mcbride
he will stand pat He thinks the pitch
ing staff will be wonderfully strength
ened by the addition of Mcconnell. the
big fellow who was here three years
ago. Mcconnell proved the best pitcher
in the Eastern League last season and
he ought to be thoroughly seasoned now
for fast company
When Manager Griffith was asked last
night IL there was a possibility Of the
deal above mentioned being contaminated
he stated in the most emphatic terms
that he would not consider such deal
IT do not propose to give up McBride
for what Wolverton has offered. said
he I'm fact I never talked such deal
over with him. but we spoke OF the pos
sibility Of making some sort Of a deal.
but never went into detail. / am sure
that Mcbride will be found playing short
for US next summer"