The Washington herald., 1912-01-26
By WILLIAM PEET.

Washington fans will doubtless be sur
prIsed TO learn that Walter johnson
stipulated when he signed up last sprinl
for three years that he was not TO bt
used as an emergency pitcher.
The-fOregoing dispatch shows how 1T
tie the Cleveland scribe knows about
Walter johnson or the inside workings
of the Washington baseball club.
In the first place Johnson never In his
life refused to 60 in the box as an
emergency twirler. He never demanded
that the Washington club should re-
frain from using him in the role of q
relief slant artist. That isn't Walter
johnson.
As a matter Of fact johnson always
stood ready to go in and pitch any time
he was ordered.
- 1t is rafe to say that there never was
a more willing worker In either the
American or National League than
johnson. He is always ready and viii
ing to go on the slab.
What johnson did say when he signed
up for ..Iree years was probably this:
Amy time you order me to pitch will
go in. II you want me to work four
games a week I'll do my best"
The principal reason why Walter John
mer as an emergency pitcher was be-
cause Jim McAIeer did not consider him
as good a. man to stop a batting rally
as Tom Hughes or one of the others.
In, other words, johnson is not at his
best when it comes to relief twirling. At
least. Jim McAleer always thought so.
Others have thought differently. .
Many baseball writers have handed out
dope regarding Walter johnson that put
the tEirIer IN bad light, and in justice
to me pitcher these Should be correeted.
Not long ago appeared story that went
the rounds OF the Western newspapers
stating that johnson and Doc White, Of
the Chicago White Sox, had entered into
compact three years ago TO pitch moth
ing but straight balls TO each other. This
is absolutely untrue, and doubtless origi-
mated from an article the writer handed
out last spring telling Of q game two
years ago, when White and johnson
agreed to pitch nothing but straight balls
to each other.
The game IN question was during the
fsg end Of the season, and both the
Chicago and Washington managers knew
Of the arrangement II memory serves,
neither twirler kept his word after the
first few innings, for johnson nearly
knocked the underpinning away from one
Of the White Sox infieIders, while Doc
White himself drove one back at Johnson
so fast that It nearly knocked the big
fellow into a heap.
This Atlanta club Of the Southern
League, will try out a lefthand catcher
this spring. The youngsters name is
Sam Mayer, and he is said TO be promis-
ing
Lefthand catchers are scarcer than Of
fers Of marriage to an old maid.
When the Western space writers find
time lying heavy on their hands they
take 9 shot at Clark Grihith. Here's the
latest story:
The Cincinnati players caps last sea-
son had white, shiny buttons on top, or
everybody thought they were buttons
until Clark Griffith explained otherwise
after game in Chicago.
The Reds lost a tough game to the
Cubs, and Cub fans leaving the park
chided Grin. What are those nice, shiny
buttons for, Grifith?" a fan inquired.
" They're not buttons replied Griff-
That's the ivory in their skulls sticking
through"
II is safe bet that Grifith never
made such q statement Even if he
thought such q thing he would not saw
so TO q baseball fan. The dope from
some Of the Western sporting writers
pipes will set the woods on FIRE some
day
Yesterday was q quiet one at baseball
headquarters. Griff entertained many
callers and dictated a wad OF letters, but
there was no news