Evening star., 1913-01-20
CALvO|S TAKING
ENGLISH LESSONS
Cuban Player Wants to Be
Able to Converse With
Griffith.
WALTER JOHNSON is
ANXIOUS TO REPORT
Bio Pitcher Writes He Is En-
joying Good HeaIth-Mc-
Bride Is Heard From.
BY J. ED GRILLO.

II is doubtful if 1t has ever happened
before that a ball player coming into
the major leagues has to put i'm his
winter months studying the English
language SO that he can make himself
understood to his manager. This. how
ever. is what Jacinto CalvO. the Cuban
outfielder signed by Manager Griffith,
is doing
Griff received a letter from Cuba this
morning telling him that Ca1vo is
taking lessons in English: that he is MAX
ing rapid progress. and by the time he re-
ports he expects to be able to have mas
tered the language well enough to make
himself understood.
Calvo is a youth not yet out of his
teens, who has shown some remark
able ability as fielder and hitter while
playing with the Cuban teams. But he
recently could not speak a word Of
English. He realized that this would
prove a serious handicap when he
joined the team so he started to learn
the language, and, according to reports,
he is progressing rapidly.
A letter from Walter Johnson to Grif-
fifth informs the manager that his star
pitcher is ready to report whenever called
upon, and that he is In the best possible
condition This Is particularly encOurag-
ing. for there has not been single spring
since johnson joined the team, nearly six
wears ago. that he has been in good
health. Johnson seems anxious for the
training work to start He says he is
anxious to get down to work, and as
sures Griff that the coming season will
probably be the best in his career. Wal
ter has had his tonsils removed this win
ter, and this has greatly benefited his
health. Griffith will have him report
early in March. as he is anxious to wit
he ipl.ar nm, mi hor
George Mcbride was also heard from
this morning. AS usual, the Nationals
captain Is spending a quiet winter doing
some bowling and taking long walks. He
is ready to play tomorrow. he says. Nc
Bride had visit from Eddie Foster, whom
he reports to be in much better condition
this winter than when he reported last
spring.
John Henry is progressing nicely after
the operation on his knee. The wound is
almost entirely healed. and today the
be continued for a week or so. after
which 1t Is expected that the big catcher
will be able to leave the hospital.
Joe Birmingham, manager of the Cleve-
land club, announces he will make D.
great base runner of Joe Jackson. You
see. Joe is a speedy fellow getting to
first, but doesn't know what to do after
ne arrives. Blrmy believes jackson IS
wasting a lot of good talent. and will
instruct him to take bigger leads next
season. II am going to have Joe caught
off first base until he gets over the fear
of being ridiculed by the FANS" Bir-
mingham says. THE best base runners
get caught off bases the oftenest because
they take chances Which same Is
another version Of the old saying, Moth
ing ventured, nothing gained"
Do you think base ball is big busi-
ness? Do you think it is organized? :?
If you doubt it, lamp these facts from
the annual report of John f. Bruce sec
retary to the national commission. The
commission. understand, has no rake-off
on drafted and purchased players but
merely handles the money passing be-
tween clubs.
For the season of 1912 the commission
received SLAB. .931 50. What became of
S155.2OO was for the drafting of players.
Then there was the little matter of $780,
as9. 10 for purchased players. Some Shy
lock In the bushes must have been stick
ing out for the little sums to ring. in that
10 cents. but it's there. Mr.. Bruce con-
cludes his report with this statement:
II am still keeping up a card index
system record Of every player in organ
lied base ball.
No wonder some ardent fans with MANY
dollars always are thinking of starting a
third major league. And they'd have a
rat chance coming through with the COM
mission fortified as it is.