Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-29
GR|FF WOULD TAKE
EGAN AND JOE LAKE
If Rival Clubs Ask Waivers on
These Players Nationals
May Get Them.
JOHNSON TO PITCH
AGAINST PHILLIES TODAY
Local Team Shows Superior
Condition Over Visitors in
First Game Here.
BY J. ED GRILLO.


other effort IL add Joe Lake to his pitch
Ing staff he is not ready 10 say, for the
very good reason that he has received no
OH aial notice that the Detroit club wants
10 get rid Of the veteran pitcher.
When waivers were asked on Lake dur
ing the winter Griffith refused. figuring
that he could use Lake to advantage by
having him 20 into games which young
sters started and could not finish. At
this end of the game Lake is said to be
an artist. and with a pitching staff such
as Griffith figured on having, he would
lave come in handy.
Griffith vent 50 far as to offer $1,000
and Harry Nelchonce for Lake, but De
troit turned the proposition down Since
then Griffith has not heard anything from
Detroit resS<Aipg the pitcher and Incl
dcntally he has mad occasion to change
his mind about his pit,-5ing staf~~which
seems much better fortified than he had
hoped for.
As for the story that Griffith had re-
fused to waive on Ben Egan. THAT'S really
ancient history for the waiver was re-
fused shortly after the last season closed.
vt that time Henry's knee was in bad
way and Griffith wanted to fortify him
self behind the bat, hence he refused to
waive on Egan. Philadelphia, however.
did not let the young catcher go. and
since then has made no effort TO get
waivers on him. If waivers should be
asked for Griffith would again refuse, for
he figures that 1t would be wise move
10 have another catcher on hand IN the
event that something should Happen TO
one of his present corps of backstops
Walter Johnson. Bob Groom and prob
ably Carl Cashion will take turns pitch
ing to the PhillieS this afternoon. Grill
fifth has decided to give his regular twiIi-
erS considerable work during the exhibit
ton series, so as to keep them right on
edge. None of them will be asked to go
the entire route in these games but all
of them will get a few innings every
other day or SO, while Engel and Galiia.
too will be worked regularly. Dent and
Drohan are to make their appearance
later.
Eddie Foster will probably get into the
game today providing his cold has i'm
proved. while the catching viii again be
done by Ainsmith and Williams.
Alexander who until last year was the
pitching sensation of the National
League, is apt to pitch part of the game
today Alexander is said TO be in much
better form this spring than he was at
any time last season, and both he and
Chalmers are expected TO regain the repu-
tation they held previous to last season
during the coming campaign: If Alex
ander and Johnson hook I'D there Is apt
: 10 be real pitchers battle
= That Joe NIGEL is going to be OF more
value to his team this season than he
was last was demonstrated by the young
ster yesterday when he held the PhiIies
~runleSs for five innings, and Doom S
team has some reputation So far as hit
ting is concerned. But it was not the
fact that the visitors did not hit Engel
that made his work look impressive His
failure TO give a single base on balls or
display any other forms OF wiidness bore
out the claim made some time ago that
Engel would have better control this
year.
Once Engel masters control there is no
question about his ability to win games.
He has plenty OF stuff, and all he has
ever lacked was control.
Gallia s showing was not Up to MS
standard by any means. Like Ensel, the
Phillies did not hit him. but he was wild,
and this caused him considerable trouble.
But as rule Gallia has good control. so
that il is not a regular falling with him
TO give bases on balls. Both the young
pitchers gave a very good account OF
themselves. and should be able to add
considerable strength to Griffith's pitch
ing staff in the coming campaign.
Manager Dooins team is in none too good
condition Knabe played his first game
yesterday. having been on the injured
list with a badly spiked foot Mike Doc
lin. considered by many to he the best
short stop in the National League, was
absent but will be here today. The pitch
ers. too. are far from being on edge,
though IL is expected they will be ready
by the time the season opens.
Frank Laporte was shifted over TO third
base. and he filled the position Very salts
factoTily. Third base il not new 20 La
porte. He played j for Griffith in New
York Il few years back. I4aporte found
: the Philiics' pitchers To his E,ing getting
two doubles ia four trips to the plate.
Morgan played splendid ball at second
and also contributed a timely hit. which
helped his team 10 its first run in the
opening inning.
Grifith's team appears to be in very
good condition In the game yesterday
his players seemed TO be more fit than
those Of the Phillies. though the visitors
had spent month or more at Southern
Pines, y. {.
The grueling dork Griffith put his play
ers through during their stay at Char
lottesville has brought about desired re-
season opens the Nationals will be as
III for the occasion as any team in the
race.
Chick Gandi is not himself this spring
lie has been slow rounding into form SO
faT as hitting is concerned. though he is
playing his position as Well ever. 1t
Is only question of a day or so when
Chick Will be getting his share of the
hits His present slump is but temporary.
chick allied considerably during the
teams stay at Charlottesville and it is
only recently that he has been able to
practice regularly.
Sherwood Magee, the Phillies' great left
fielder. is one of the best hitters in base
ball. He was the only one OF his team
who was not puzzled by either Engel or
Gallia, getting three clean hits TO CEN
ter in four trips TO the plate. His three
hits We're three-fifths of the visitors to-
tai.
Otto hnabe. the Phillies' captain and
second baseman. would undoubtedly have
been the manager of the Cincinnati team
this season had the Philadelphia club
been reasonable in its demand for him.
Cincinnati considered knabe as 4 sue
cessor to Hank ODay before any other
candidate, but in trying to make deal
for him found that il would have to give
, up almost every one of Its star players
TO secure him, and the deal was called
off. Knabe is not in good condition right
now as "A result of long lay-off caused
by an injury. He Is pounds over weight.
but expects TO lie ready when the season
opens. Enabs Is not only n brilliant bail
player. but he is considered one of the
headiest players in the old league. and
would undoubtedly have made a success
of the Cincinnati mana cement had he