The Washington times., 1911-05-20
Nationals Boss Expects
Word Hourly in Pend
I ing Deal.
ABANDONS ALL HOPE
OF LANDING SMITH
Calls" Dixie Walker for Poor
Showing and Demands
80. Reform.
By SENATOR"
Only Washington Newspaperman
With the Nationals.

CLEVELAND, Ohio, May 2O.-Almos
hourly Jimmy McAleer. manager of the
Nationals, expects word that his at
tempt to strengthen his team has me
with success. However much he would
like to have Frank Smith, the former
twirling star of the Chicago White Sox
McAleer hardly expects to land him
VA looks for information from President
Ban johnson today regarding the status
Of Smith. who pitched his second game
yesterday for Clark Griffith's Cincinnati
Reds.
Il don't know" said McAleer today
1T looks as if we let Smith get away
from US into the National League
am looking for a wire from johnson
hourly. The Washington club has put
up stiff fight to get this pitcher. ]
have heard that his bad ankle is both
ering him. Indeed, it was this informa-
ton more than anything else that
caused me to let UP for a moment in my
endeaVors to get him. However, bad
ankle or no bad ankle, l think Smith
would be better than some of our pitch
ers az they look now. have hopes, but
It looks to me as if Smith would stay
with the Cincinnati club"
Mum About Plans.
McAleer declines to breathe a word
concerning the new men he is after.
He won't even tell what positions they
play. but it is believed among the play
ers that he is angling for first-sacker.
and outfielder, and pitcher.
If my plans go through all right"
said McAleer last night, Il look for a
decided Improvement in the playing of
Inls club In the very near future. What
I need is just two good ball players
with them can put as good a team on
league"
Dixie Walker who finished Yesterdays
game after Dolly Gray was driven to
the tall grass. came in for a lecture
after the game when he said he didn't
want to start today's game. Walker
wasted most of his energy knocking up
fungos and fielding drives around sec
ond base before the game got under
way.
You're supposed to be a pitcher"
said McAleer to the big fellow ..and
that's all you're supposed to do. pitch
ball. Now l want to see more pitching
practice by you and less running arounJ
that infield. You haven't looked real
good this year yet. and its getting close
to the time when you should take your
turn in the box
Walker promised to spend more time
practicing his many curves and to de-
slst from trying to beat Cunningham
and Mcbride out their jobs.
Attend Burlesque.
The Nationals in a body attended a
burlesque show here last night as
guests of Pop" Anson, the former
slugging leader of the Chicago Nation
ais, who is doing monologue turn with
the show. The former diamond star
was voted the real thing in the mono
logue line by the Army of the Potomac.
Walter Johnson was in uniform yes
terday for the first time since his dra-
matte collapse in Chicago May 10. He
did not try 10 work very hard, but saws
he is gaining strength fast and thinks
he may be able to pitch one of the
games in Detroit.
Still no word from "Gabby" Street
Manager McAleer says that Streets IN
Jured thumb must be bothering him y
great deal or he would join the team
here. Street may be ordered to Join the
team in Detroit on Monday whether he
10 in shape to play or not.