The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-01-12
YEAR IS Spent
landing STAR
Griff Angled for Buffalo Semi
pro Twirler Long Time
Before Hooking Him.
VICTOR BICKERS PRAISED
Young Giant Won Twenty-one Out Of
Twenty-three Games Pitched
Last Season.
VICTOR BICKERS PRAISED
Special - The Washington Herald.

DuhdIO, ". L :, dll. ia wear
effort on the part of Manager
Griffith to secure the best semi-pro
twirler in this city has borne fruit.
and in the Nationals lineup this
season there will appear Victor
Bickers, one of the cleverest hurl-
ers who has ever been in action
here Griffith made a master-stroke
when he landed Bickers, and the
local youngster is expected to make
a big hit in the American League.
BickerS has a record that stamps
him as a mighty fine pitcher, and
he is expected to do his share of
the work on the Nationals roster
this season. Any one who can win
twenty-one games out of twenty
three played in one season is worth
considering, and Griffith apparently
has made no mistake in grabbing
up Bickers. Several other clubs
have been after him, but Griffith
was consistent, and Bickers finally
consented to take a chance, sign
ing a contract last week.
During the early part of last season
Bickers played with the Lockport team
of Lockport, n. Y. He won eight straight
games, and during his stay on the team
was the backbone of the nine. Bickers
pitched for eight straight Sundays, and
each time he was successful.
His work attracted the attention OF
many magnates throughout New York
State, and offers were made for his ser
vices, but he preferred to remain In semi
pro company another year at least. After
his record with the Lockport team be-
came known, he was quickly signed by
the Meadville, Pa, independent club.
combination of Meadville players and /
PLAYERS from the champion Pullman
team, of this city.
Won Thirteen Out of Fifteen.
During the remainder of the season
Bickers did all the heavy work for the
team and won thirteen out of fifteen
games played. He averaged fifteen
strike-outs a game, and was the one
pitcher who was most feared in semi
professional company in this vicinity.
Rickers has excellent control and ire
mendous speed, and under Manager Grif-
fifth should develop into most reliable
man. He has an easy delivery and pos
sesses the faculty of putting the ball over
the plate whenever he wants TO. He has
a wicked drop curve and slow ball that
promises to fool some of the big league
batters.
Bickers is only twenty-one years of age
and for the past four years has been
seen in a semi-pro uniform. He is six
feet two inches in height, and weighs
100 pounds.
Bickers' work first attracted the atten-
ton of Hugh Shannon of this city, who
last season was manager of the pennant-
winning Salem (OhioJ club of the o. d
p League, and who also played with
the Baltimore and Montreal teams OF the
. old Eastern League several seasons ago
Shannon was unsuccessful in obtaining
Blckers' services last year because OF
the latter's determination to stay out
of professional baseball, but Shannon
kept an eye on him and his work.
Shannon and Griffith are warm per-
sonaI friends and for the past year
Griffith has been making an effort TO
sign Bickers through Shannon. Sew
eral offers were made him and finally
last week Bickers consented. He was
quickly signed and will be on the JOB
when the Nationals start on their train
ing trip in March.
Pays Biclers High Tribute.
Manager Shannon paid Bickers a high
compliment to-day and congratulated
Manager Griffith in securing Bickers.
''Bickers is undoubtedly one of the best
semi-pro twirlers have ever seen and he f!
should be a great help to Washington
said Shannon. He has wonderful speed |
and the style OF delivery that is seldom |
possessed by youngster. He has a.
cool head and 1t takes whole lot to |
unnerve him. ! have seen him in sew /
eral tight pinches and he seemed to be |
the coolest player on the held. He uses |
good Judgment and after he once
pitches TO a man, can determine his /
weak spots by the time he comes to |
bat again. He is surely a conner"
Baseball Fang here are sore because
the local club did not secure Bickers for
the BisOnE He is one OF the most pop
ular players In Buffalo and has hundreds /
of friends here who predict he will make
good in the American League. But the
Buffalo club has paid very little atten-
ton to local amateurs in the past and
the passing up OF Bickers comes as no
surprise.