The Washington times., 1912-04-23
Will Be Back in Game
When He Returns to
4@ Washington.
GRIFFITH BLAMES
WALKER FOR ROW
Watkins, of Indianapolis, May
Take Over Some of Nation
Is ais Youngsters.
By SENATOR"

BOSTON, Mass, April 2S.-George NC
Bride, the premier short fielder OF the
Nationals, has been suspended for but
three days by President Ban Johnson
upon a complaint from silk" OLough-
lin, who was the central figure of the
near-riot at the Florida avenue park
last Saturday.
Yes, Mcbride has been suspended"
said Manager Griffith this morning.
Yesterday was the first of the three
days, so he will be back in the game
again Thursday / don't see why he
should have been selected as the man
to be banished. He Is the captain and
has a right. to speak for his team. In
that mix-up Saturday he did nothing
more than assert his rights.
IF any member of my team deserved
suspension for what he did in that
game, 1t was Dixie Walker. He threw
the bail away in the eighth inning and
there would be no complaint from me
had be been put out of the game for
a few days. But no, they don't do that,
they take the best man right out of the
infield and leave the team crippled"
President Billy Watkins, of the India
,napolis club, is here in hourly confer
ences with Jimmy MeAleer and Clark
Griffith, and the upshot of his trip may
tmean the disappearance for a season of
one of the young outfielders with the
Nationals. Watkins wants a fast gar
dener, and hopes to obtain one from
Griffith. If good weather falls upon the
lads from the land of Taft and Nc
,.kinley, the youngsters, Tommy Long
and Clarence Walker, will be given
plenty Of work for the particular bene-
fit of the minor league magnate.
That boy Gagnier," says Watkins,
lis playing grand ball for my team
ana should come back to the big show
in the fall able to hold his own with the
best of them. 1 tell you, I consider my
self lucky in being able to hold on to
him for year. He is proving the main
strength of my club"
Gagnier is the stellar fielding short
stop from the Lincoln club, Western
League, who was given trial at Char
lottesville this spring.
The NationalS visited the Park Thea
ter last night, and are due to attend the
Colonial tonight, where Donald Brian
and Julia Sanderson are appearing in
The Siren"
Griffith. leader of the rejuvenated Ma
tionals, is not in the least afraid of the
Boston Red SoX, although he admits
that they are a fast, crafty outfit, but
he insists that If luck breaks even, the
Nationals should be able to win two of
the three games now on tap in this
town.
Sizes Up Other Teams.
I'll admit that the Red Sox look
good to me-" said Manager Griffith this
morning. Judging by their work to
date, they should be there at the death.
The Athletics, of course, have the edge,
largely because of their record, but Just
the same, If the Red SoX can hold their
start. the worlds champions will have
TO travel pretty fast to keep them out
of first place.
&f To1r Ctak 4
prove the making of the team. The big
first baseman is one of the steadiest
first sackers have ever seen in action,
and he ought to keep that infield busy.
Heiney Wagner was one of the greatest
shortstops in the business when he had
Stahl to take those lurid heaves of his
from the shortfield. The work of the
various first basemen last season bother
ed Wagner great deal, and must have
OFF In his work. In my opinion. Wag-
ner Is one OF the finest shortstops in the
business, but his many wild throws
compels his team to have a first base
man WEH can hold him down to earth.
Stahl Is that man.
II consider Jake Stahl one of the best
ball players and one of the best men
personally that I have ever met, and
wish him all the luck in the world"
Meet Their Old Manager.
Jimmy McAleer, manager of the Ma
tionals In 1910 and 1911, and now presi-
went of the Red sox. was glad to meet
Clark Griffith, and could not do enough
for him. He put himself out to make
things pleasant for the Nationals and
had a long chat with Johnson, Milan.
Mcbride, and Schaefer. old favorites
of his.
ITaI Tnh to he act n.
Ier in baseball today" said McAleer to
the writer. Bar none; I consider hin
the best. You can talk about your
Benders Fords, Greggs, and Washes
but give me Walter Johnson and I'D
have that pennant sewed up right now
with Johnson going right he is a
wonder. His speed is the best since the
days OF Amos Rusie, and his curve bail
keeps the strongest batsmen in the
league backing away from the plato
Joe Wood Is Great pitcher, one OF the
best, but johnson has him beaten BY
with Walter johnson, Joe Wood
Buck OBrien. and Eddie Cicotte work
wouldn't be anything to the race. The
Athletics, despite Plank, Bender, and
Coombs. wouldn't be able to hold us
I'm willing to make deal for John
members of my. team in the deal with
the single exceptions of iris Speaker
and Jake Stahl," said McAleer.-
Clark Griffith grinned when told wha
McAleer had said. He declined to trea
the talk seriously.
walter johnson is the Washington
club" declared Griffith. Without hin
I wouldn't have any team. The Bos
ton club is a strong club, but wouldnt
consider even Speaker and Stahl in {
trade that took johnson from the Ma
tfonals
e. Looking For Right Men.
ST have Just began to collect a bal
club for Washington. think / have
q good nucleus for the team right nov
sn Johnson. Walker. Milan, Moeller
Foster, and one or two others yet Il
come through. ! don't kid myself int
thinking have a good team now, un
derstand. I know there is plenty o.
room for improvement. / can see II
but must md the right men for th'
places" .-......-- ..