The Washington times., 1912-06-23
Big League Hitters of
a Day
By SENATOR"

| pitchers. is expected to be able 10
J take his place in the box this week
against the Boston Red Sox and the
worlds champion Athletics His re-
/ turn to active duty means added
strength to the Climbers just where
1t is needed most. Had he been in
! shape for the battles in Philadelphia,
! the Climbers might we'll have taken
four of the six.
! Johnson has pretty well recovered
! from his recent illness, but Is not
strong enough yet to assure his last
ing through a hard game. He has
+ been told by Manager Griffith not to
rejoin the team until he is in perfect
condition and so he will be absent
for a day or so longer. However. he
is almost certain to be seen against
the Boston Red Sox and the. ATHLETICS.
Griffth's twirling staff Is rapidly
assuming the appearances of a win
ming bunch. The wonderful work OF
Bob Groom and Tom Hughes lately,
with Barney Petty sure to pitch good
ball whenever used, means that the
Nationals will have one Of the strong
est pitching corps in the American s,a1
tseeking to strengthen it.
Would Take Vaughn.
Waivers have been refused on Jim
.
the New York Highlanders. and Grin
Gays that If he gets Vaughn he will
tgiye him a complete trial in the hopes
OF making him a winning portsider for
the Climbers. The Nationals need
good lefthander, and every effort is be.
ing made to pick up one before the final
rush for the flag.
The chances, however. of Vaughn's
coming here are slim. The Highlanders
are not likely to strengthen the Ma
tonals at the expense of themselves,
and may want to keep string attach
ed to the big Texan. This would make
his coming here impossible.
Buck" Becker. would he take base
tball seriously. might we'll find place
with the Nationals, but the lanky SOUTH
paw declines to work hard enough, and
has been sent to the Atlanta club! OF
Ithe Southern League. Billy LUSH mas
turned him back to the Nationals, the
| big fellow not liking his surroundings
In Montreal.
Some Great Baseball.
Washington fans are going to see
some great baseball at the Florida ave-
nue. park this week. Tomorrow come
the rushing Red Sox, led by Jimmy Nc
Aleer and Jake Stahl former residents
,of our fair city. The Sox are leading
the league, climbing to that exalted 10
sition during their recent battles in the
West Their climb was slightly shaded
by the marvellous streak OF the Ma
tionals, but they're there, just the same;
Every victory over the Red Sox will
count Griff's Climbers just twice as
much as one over team lower IN the
race. Buck" 0'Brien; Hugh Bedient'
Joe Wood and Ray Collins are the pos
sible twiring stars to face the Ma
tionals 1t will be Stahrs hardest task
to find substitutes for them In the clos
ing innings.
Friday a doubleheader will be carded
with the worlds champion Athletics and
these games should be for blood from
the tap of the gong. There is bitter
teams and 1t will not be Sunday school
baseball on the Florida avenue park
Friday and Saturday
In Good Position.
I'm perfectly satisfied to be in third
place at this stage Of the race" said
Manager Griffith today to the writer.
t"When you're leading the way every
''nody is ding -donging you and the strain
IS much greater than ordinary. IN
our place, a comfortable grip on third
or fourth. We can run along easily, al
ways being ready for jump to the
front.
Il look for my team to stay in the
first division all season and to be one
for the pennant in September. Unless
we have some very poor luck. the Ma
tionals are going to be up there all the
time.
IAN need now is a good lefthander
for the pitching statf and then l shall
, have as good a ball club as there Is in
either big league"
Kid Goes Back.
The work OF the Nationals in Philadel-
phia has driven Pitcher Harrell to the
bushes. After looking at the youngster
perform against the Climbers Connie
Mack Immediately boxed him up and
sent him to Holyoke, in the Connecticut
League, one of the champions farms
tAu that saves Coombs from a similar
fate must be his big league record.
"Ferd" McGettigan, former captain
and quarterback of the Georgetown
football eleven, was at all the games
between the Nationals and the cham
pions, pulling for his home team, the
Athletics. He thoroughly enjoyed him
self the first two days. Friday his
mirth was slightly restrained and yes
terday he guffawed loudly when Baker
tied the score with homer over the
garden wall.
When those seven runs came acros'
and Coombs vanished, "Ferd" mus
have gone to keep Coombs company, fol-
his seat was vacant and he was never
seen again, greatly to the amusement o.
"a couple Of Washington friends OF hi
who had endured his kidding before.