Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-25
By j. ED GRILLO.

Dixie Walker has been of little assist
ance to the Nationals this spring. The
big pitcher has been a most inconsistent
performer and has really given few indi-
cations that he is capable of holding his
own in this company. AT the outset of
his career here, in 1909. Walker seemed
to be the most promising youngster then
on the team, but the expected improve
ment In his work has failed to material
ise and he appears to have gone back
with every season.
1t may be, of course, that he will make
up for his present poor work later in the
season, but just now he is of little value
to the team, having been hit hard in all
comes and really being lucky to have
gained any victories this spring.
Walker. by the way. seems to be the
only one of the pitchers of the local
team who has not improved under Crit
fith's instructions. All the others. even
including Johnson, have learned some
thing from the veteran and their work
is better as result.
II Gandil Of Montreal is the ball player
he Is reputed to be, the Washington club
should not hesitate to pay any price to
secure him. To have high-class player
dropped into the team at this time would
almost assure high position in the race
which. of course, would mean largely in
creased attendance and profits. The Sc
curing of Gandil would give Griffith a
well balanced ball team, providing OF
course, that Gandil comes up to expecta-
tons. and every one who has seen him
play seems to be satisfied as to his abil-
ity. With Gandil playing first Schaefer
could be shifted back to right field, where
ne is really badly needed. That right
neld is one weak spot on the team. just
how great difference it would make To
add another 300 hitter to the team-and
Gandil is said to be of this calfber-cau
be easily figured. In fact. there is no tell
Ing how high up the team might finish II
1t had such a player
IT will take a small fortune to buy Gan
oil, Dut II he proves to be the man he Is
winning team for several years to come
and the investment would be ten-strike
Moeiler. Milan and Schaefer make an
loeai outneid Schaefer may not be a
finished fielder. but he can throw. is fast
and is of great value to the team as an
inside ball player. What is more he
puts lot of spirit into the team. and,
owing to his knowledge of the game. is
one OF the most valuable men Griffith
has at his command. With GandiI ON
nrst and the rest Of the inf1eld left In
tact. there would be vast Improvement
In the team, for it's hitting would be
greatly strengthened, and from all ac-
the fielding, too. would be helped. It does
not follow, OF course, that player who
stands out in a minor league always
makes good In faster company, but In
this case 1t seems to be worth while TAX
ing a long chance. for should Gandil
come up to expectations it would not be
out OF reason to expect a pennant here
within the next few years
1t is going to be no easy matter to
overtake the White Sox in the present
pennant race. Having comfortable lead
games on itssown grounds. where 1t has
ever proved q most troublesome PROPOSE
tion. even when it did not have pennant
aspirations There has been some fear
expressed that Callahan's pitching staff
would not go the route because of the
manner In which he is working his twirl-
ers, but the fact should not be overlooked
that his STAFF will be stronger within a
week or ten days. when both Scott a
mighty handy man, and Doc White are
expected to be able to take their regular
turns on the rubber. To the average fol-
lower of the game the Athletics seem to
have the best chance of any OF the
others to beat out Chicago. but the look
ed-for improvement in the playing of the
champions is a long time coming. and
unless there is q brace on their part
soon 1t will be much too late to make up a
lot Of lost ground. Just how good a team
Boston has will be proved when that
team gets on its next trip. which is a
long one. At home the Red Sox have
done well. but they must prove them
selves a good road team in order to be
given any consideration SO far as win
ming the flag is concerned.
In the National League the race seems
oe
to be a team in that race to he compared
with the Giants whose pitchers are the
most consistent performers in the circuit
There is. in fact. some danger that the
long before the season is over. for 1t is
hard to figure any of their rivals as hav-
ing chance to pass them. Cincinnati
would have such d chance il the team
had more good pitchers, for 1t has speed