The Washington herald., 1912-01-16
Nationals Young outfielder
Falls in Line-Also In
fielder Gagnier.
W.. JOHNSON WRITES
Great Pitcher Does Not Care for
Hot Springs Trip-Piratss to
Take KelIiher South.
nx wILLIAnI PEET.

Yesterday mornings mail brought Man
ager Clark Grihith. Of the Nationals.
three signed contracts and long letters
from his star performer. Walter John
son, and Capt. Georgs Mcbride.
Tom Long, unearthed by Scout Mike
Rahoe last season from Gadsden, N. c.,
a horse and buggy league. forwarded the
signed papers, with a nice little note
containing the usual 'bulr' about re-
porting in the pink" and how he ex-
pected to make a much better showing
than during the brief trial last fall.
Long played right field a couple OF
games and verified all the reports as TO
his heetness OF foot. He did not startle
the fans with his hitting, but at that
looked like a mighty promising young
ster.
George Mcbride and Gagnier. the last
named from the Lincoln club of the
Western League, also sent IN their sign
ed contracts. Mcbride writes that he Is
spending the winter at his home IN NIL
waukee, Wis, and keeps out of doors as
much as possible. George is fond OF ice
skating and every pleasant afternoon
finds him on the steel runners.
Walter Johnson quite agrees with Grin
that a trip to Hot Springs. Ark. prior to
reporting In the spring is useless un-
dertaking, and writes that he can get
into shape for the season In two weeks
down at Charlottesville.
Mcbride is Of the same opinion. and
the report that these players would spend
q few days at the famous Arkansas re-
sort is evidently untrue.
johnson declares that he did too much
before the season opened last year. and
believes that a short preliminary work
out would be lot more beneficial
II will be remembered that last year
Johnson spent a couple OF weeks at Hot
Springs before reporting In Atlanta, and
that he worked out daily for nearly two
months before the American League sea-
son opened. According TO the great twiri-
er, this long siege Of training did not
produce the best effect
johnson will report in Charlottesville
probably with the regulars the second
week in March. and viii be called upon TO
pitch parts of several exhibition games
at National Park.
Mickey KeIliher, the lanky irst base
man, who hit .S23 for Petersburg, in the
Virginia League last season. and who
was purchased by the Pittsburg Pirates.
received his contract from Barney Drey-
fuss yesterday, and also letter in which
the National League magnate informed
him that the Pirates would take him on
the Southern trip next March.
KeIliher is a Washington boy and made
good in the minors the first year out. He
stands a fine chance OF landing a regular
berth with the Pittsburg club. Mickey's
many local friends will be glad to hear
Of his success.
Doc" White, the Chicago southpaw,
put on a pair of gum shoes one day last
summer and did a little scouting In the
Virginia League for the White Sox.
Doc" saw Kelliher play and recon-
mended him to Hugh Duffy. but Duffy
did not make a move to sign Kelliher
until II was too late, and Pittsburg had
grabbed him White said that Mickey
was the lIkeliest looking minor league
first sacker ne had seen In q long time.
Harry Pattee, former Brooklyn and
Rochester infielder. has been engaged TO
coach the Brown University baseball
squad.