The Washington times., 1912-06-17
PETTY PROBABLE
CHOICE TO FACE
WORLDS CHAMPIONS
Griffith Has Mind Set on
Establishing Record
! of Victories.
JOHNSON MAY BE
ABLE TO ASCEND
Nationals Have Brisk Workout
on Their Home Diamond
Today.

BY SENATOR"

Barney Petty will probably face Jack
Coombs tomorrow in the battle at the
concrete coliseum, Walter Johnson
hardly being in condition to warrant his
going into the box.
Manager Griffith Is most intent on
winning tomorrow's game from the
worlds champion Athletics because he
has set his mind on establishing a
record of victories that shall not be
equaled in years to come and never
beaten. He will use johnson If the big
fellow says that he is strong enough
to 60 through the nine innings. Other
wise Petty, always a hoodoo for the
Athletics, even when backed by the
St. Louis Browns, will be sent to the
mound to puzzle the champions.
Petty arrived in Cleveland late yes
terday afternoon, and could not say
enough about his Joy at being with the
Nationals and escaping from the
Browns. He is tickled down to his toes
to become a member of the Climbers,
and predicts many victories when he
goes into the box.
No Sore Arm.
IT have heard that my arm Is sore"
Petty told the writer on the train to
this city. That's news to me. If 1
have a sore arm 1t has come over night.
am in perfect condition. The
Browns haven't used me very much this
year, largely because the fans have
grown tired Of looking at me. That g
the way baseball fans act, you know,
especially when they have a losing
team.
George Stovall told me when he Of
fered me for sale to the highest bidder
that the only reason he was letting me
60 was on account of the demand in
ST. Louis for new faces
II certainly am glad to JOIN a club
that can give me runs. 1 have always
been rather lucky against the Clevelan
and Philadelphia clubs. and I should
them. particularly when Griffs lads
pound out so many runs" .-.,
Practice Today.
The Climbers had a short workout al
the ball park today, Manager Griffith
not caring to have them get off their
stride which has carried them through
the West at such an astounding clip
The only absentees from tie practice
were Johnson and Howard Shanks, the
former because of illness, and the latte,
because of his trip home.
Shanks had not seen his folks since
he reported here last March for spring
practice, and Manager Griffith quickly
gave his permission for a hurried visit
to Monaco, Pa, yesterday, the young
cutfielder catching an early train from
Cleveland. He will arrive here toner
row. morning in time to take part in the
morning workout.
All the other players were on the job
having hot batting practice agains
the benders Of Steve White. Paul Mus
ser. and Carl Cashion. A brisk fielding
workout was given them, and then the.
were dismissed until tomorrow morn
ing.
Leave At Night.
After tomorrow's battle with the Ath
letics the Climbers will catch the TO
train for Philadelphia, in order to hav'
q good nights rest before the double
header to be played at Shibe Parl
Wednesday. Manager Griffith want
his youngsters to be in the best con
dition possible for the coming series Il
the home of the champions
Six games must be played in Phila
delphia in four days. ending this week
before the Nationals return to thei
home aailiwick to face the Athletic
and Boston and then all the Western
clubs. Consequently. their rank in tn
American League contest will largel
be settled by what they do against tn
champions this week at Shioe Park.