Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-18

Is, however, much consolation in the fact
that the team. even under the new order
Of things, cannot do worse. To the aver
age person interested in base pail Cirii-
fifth seems to be working In the right di-
rection. His system is not to hold on to
players when they are starting to de-
teriorate and under no circumstances
hold on to a slow man.
In the changes Griff has made he has
consistently adhered to this rule. and II
remarkable improvements would result
in the teams showing.
Griffith took charge Of the local club In
December, and since then has accomplish
predecessors put together during their en-
tire regime here. Not only has he i'm
stalled up-to-date business methods in
everything pertaining to the clubs affairs,
matter of trying to build up a winning
team. Griffith had the reputation of be-
ing a hustler when he came here, and he
has added to that reputation since he
came.
Had Doc Gessler not been dilatory in
the matter of answering Manager Crit
fith's letter containing his signed con-
tract, he might have been placed in a
way that would be more suitable. Cess
Ter was In the city yesterday and called
on Grif1th. He was very frank to
acknowledge that he did not look upon
his transfer to Kansas City with favor.
He would have preferred to play some
where in the east. Griffith told him that
IL he had made his desires known he
would have arranged that for him, but In
asmuch as he was not heard from Crit
fifth merely sold him to the highest bid
der. Gessler has not made up his mind
whether he will report to Kansas City
or not.
The trading of Street breaks up what
had become a famous battery-Johhson
and Street. The names OF these two
they were almost inseparable. In fact,
there are those who believe that Street
could handle the delivery of Johnson much
more effectively than any other catcher
who ever caught him. This. in fact, was
proven on numerous occasions when
other catchers attempted to catch john
son. They seemed to have difficulty In
handling his delivery. and he worked
with less confidence. and usually seemed
wild and ineffective. There Is. how
why any competent catcher should not
be able to handle Johnson's shoots and
curves. At any rate he seems willing to
take the chance, but the famous battery
Of Johnson and Street is no more.
Griffith is SO arranging matters that he
will virtually be forced to give all his
youngsters a thorough trial. He Is not
holding any Of the veterans in reserve In
the event of some Of the youngsters fall
ing down. This virtually forces him to
20 through the season with the material
he has on hand, and therefore gives the
YOUNGSTERS better chance to make
good Griffith believes that most or the
young ball players are ruined because
they do not get an opportunity to play.
Just as soon as they happen to so poorly
they are benched, and benching to his
notion Is the most effective way to put
a youAg ball player out of it. He, like
every one else familiar with local base
bali conditions, knows that the only
chance to ever get a winner here is to
d.yelop one. and this can only be done
by giving the youngsters fair chance.
The average manager hesitates TO let
ICES that he is no longer at his best, for
he fears to take a chance with the
Youngsters. Not so with Griffith. how
ever. He has already proven that he
has the courage OF ms CONVICTIONS ,, IN
up a young ball team for Washington.
and he is not allowing friendship or
prejudice to hinder the carrying out OF
his plans.
There is at least fair chance for the
Nationals to be q much better hltting
team next season than they were last.
Schaefer, who was the teams best hitter
last season, will be in the outfeld. to-
gether with Milan. Moeller. while not q
great hitter, is expected to go along well
enough to hold the average OF the out
field above 800
Flynn, If he bats here as he did in Pets
burgh, will I'LL the bill at hrst. Mcbrlde,
as will be shown by the dope on the maj
page Of this section. Is timely hitter,
and there is no reason why Cunningham
should not hit lot better than he did last
year.
knight, Of course. is sure Of regular
position and when he Is properly handled
he Is a 800 hitter. SO II Grmth can
Of men on the infield who can nit near
that mark. fnixed in with couple or
timely hitters. the team should get It's
share of runs. and ii is In this respect
that 1t has always been weak heretofore
1t is, Of course, easily figured how much
of q strain Is taken of the pitching staff
IL the team behind the twirlers can hit
It makes the pitchers work so much cas-
Ter that they can do more work than is
possible when they have to go at top
speed through every contest because OF
the clcseness of the score.