The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-07-02
Jack Knight Traded to
The jersey City Club
Griff Swaps InfieIder for Wilbur
Roach, of the 'Skeeters.
Reports To-day.
OTHER TIMELY GOSSIP


tionals announced last night that he had
traded Jack knight. his utility infielder,
for Wilbur Roach, the sensational
shortstop of the Jersey City club, and
that Roach would join the local club
either to-day or tomorrow.
Jack Knight came to Washington last
winter IN the deal for, Gabby Street, for
a cash consideration and Alva williams,
the big catcher. knight did not report
for early spring practice at Charlottes-
VILE owing to his studies at Columbia
University, and when he did show up
he was not only in poor physical shape,
but seemed to have lost his batting eye
entirely. Jack played a few games at
second for the Nationals and also
covered first, but his, throwing arm
seems TO be weak. and GriR probably
figured that a hustling youngster like
Roach would be of more use to him
than Knight, hence the trade.
Asked If Roach would be played regu-
larry Boss Griffith stated that the new
man would hold down the role Of utility
infielder, but there is a suspicion that
Roach may be given q trial at second
base before many days have elapsed, as
Morgan is still laid up with a charley
horse.
When the trade was made for Roach
the chances are that Jack Ryan's judg-
ment had something to do with the nego-
tiations. Ryan was the Jersey City man
sger last season, and had plenty Of OPP
portunity to size up Roach. The vet
eran catcher undoubtedly urged Grin to
get the youngster.
Roach was given a trial by the New
York Yankees early last year, and played
good ball in spots. He was such an
in has lei hi to
Jersey City, where he made good from
the start.
The Nationals and Connie Mack's Ath-
letics meet this afternoon for the final
game of the series, and every effort will
be made to capture this contest Walter
johnson. or Tom Hughes, will pitch for
the home folks, while Connie Mack will
work either Cy Morgan or Houck-
Il have figured all along that the club
We will have to beat for the pennant
this season will be the Boston Red Sox, -
said Connie Mack, the crafty manager
Of the Athletics. last night. We tackle
them on our home grounds for a big
series, starting Wednesday, and I can
see some tough battles ahead. but
feel confident that my team will come
through on top We have just hit our
stride; our pitchers are going nicely,
and depend upon it, We will soon be up
where We belong, at the top Of the
percentage column
Mack also has a good word for the
Nationals. He says that Grifs boys
will cause a whole lot of trouble, and
win lot of games before the 1872 sea-
son finally comes TO a close.
Washington fans, ever ready to criti-
else, have uttered harsh words the past
few days and appear to be much peeved
because the Nationals have lost four
straight games to the worlds champions
The fans have a right to criticise, and
nobody can blame them for being peeved.
That is their privilege when they pay
their way. but this does not alter the fact
that Clark Grifith has already proved
himself the best manager in the history
Of baseball in Washington, and that he
has under his wing right now the best
club that ever represented the Capital
The writer offers no excuses for the
consecutive defeats at the hands Of the
worlds champions. Grif's youngsters
are not playing the game Of which they
are capable. They are still in the throes
Of a batting slump but this condition
Of affairs cannot last much longer
When Moeller and Morgan were forced
TO sit on the bench the Nationals win
ming combination was broken up. These
players should be ready to get back into
harness soon. Then there is apt to be
a big difference in the work of the en-
tire club.
The fans must also take into consider |
alton the fact that the Nationals have
been forced to tackle the two best clubs |
in the league during the past two weeks, |
and nobody can point to a single game |
where GriFs youngsters have been |
badly outclassed.
Last season the cry went I'D that
Washington was carrying too many old |
players and that young blood was need |
ed. Grif has has supplied the young |
blood. If the fans will only be patient /
END give the manager a chance TO de-
2elop his team without bowling calamity |
when the youngsters run into q losing |
streak, ii will make things easier for the |
Nationals pilot.
The Nationals are still in the ring,
boys, just come out to the park and give
them the kind of encouragement they
deserve Back up Clark Grifith in every
move he makes and you will not be
sorry.
It takes a real sport to smile when
things go wrong-so be a sport.
It looks as If Eddie Foster had about
recovered from his batting slump When
Fosters old running mate, MoeIler. gets /
hack into harness again opposing clubs
had best look out for trouble.
WILLIAM PEET