The Washington times., 1913-01-15
By SENATOR"

II see where John Henry had to SUBJ
init to the knife. i sure hope it was an
absolute success, for I think John will
have a great year for US. He's the
greatest catcher I've ever seen in ac-
ton. You can talk about your STAN
ages your Meyers, your Ira Thomases,
your Jimmy Archers, and your Roger
Bresnahans, but give me John when
he's going right, and he's got 'em all
faded. With him in there nextssummer,
were going 10 make it. hot work for
any team in the league to trim US.
Thus says '.Rippy" Williams In a let
ter to the writer, and II shows better
: than auything else the spirit of the big
sackstop who was third string receiver
last year until Afnsmith went to pieces
and Henry injured his knee. Here he
Is booming the catcher whose return
means the possible unseating of VIII
liams. That's the spirit that put the
Climbers In second place last season.
Lest he make any mistake about ex-
pressing his real thoughts, "Rippy"
adds: Il also see that Ainsmith has re-
covered from his sick spell, of which
I am glad to learn"
There's nothing small about Al Will
liams- But while he's busy booming his
competitors. let's hear what Griff. the
'old Fox" has to say about him.
Best In Blocking.
1--WE seen a lot of catchers, but this
big fellow williams has 'em all beaten
when It comes TO blocking of base run
ners at the plate. He saved many a
game for us last season when he was
doing all the work behind the bat. by
getting In there and freezing the run
ners coming down the line. He's the
H<u~ tn, fEa NJ Alas
Grit.
" sRfppy' sat on the bench a long
while last year and he grumble6 at 1t.
He wanted TO work. He wasn't satis-
ned to draw his money doing nothing.
He wanted to take his turn and sting
that pill. Everybody knows how well
he played when the emergency came
along. He was johnny y-on-the-spot
then, all right
The best thing that ever happened
was his acquisition by us. 1t gave us
q backstop worth while. I'd been stuck
on him for many years and was de-
lighted TO get him. His hard hitting
means that he'll be in there more next
sumner than he was last, that's
Goes Hunting a Bit.
There is very little for me to say"
writes Williams, about nv winterfng
out here in Illinois. About all I've done
is keep myself warm by the fireside.
i have done some hunting, but the
game laws give us but short period
to hunt small game Az that, I've had
a very good winter and feel as though
j could go out and work a good ball
game night now, but / guess that's
all In my head.
hope to be back in the best of con-
dition In the spring with the big stick
IN Just as good condition too. I might
add. Let us hope all the boys have
their clubs working, and we have a
great season. That's my sincere wish.
for To like to see Griff up there fighting
for those honors.
1T won't be long until we're back I'm
the harness, and that will make it easy
for you fellows to write news again. II
looks on paper as II we had some new
recruits who are going TO show up well
this year. They'll have to 20 some,
though, TO beat out the old bunch
There you have "Rippy' Williams,
who led the Climbers with the stick
last year. pounding out fifty blngles,
eleven OF them doubles. and four OF
them triples, for an average of .3ls.
Counting his plnch-hitting, "Rippy" fig
ured In ffty-six games in 1912. Here's
hoping itH be FAR more next summer"
Dubuc viii Stick.
Jean Dubuc will stick with the Tigers
next year, according to some Of his
atcAo6 "HeFe Tiger
Ginger is conducting a bowling alley of
his own. That $4,000 salary for five
years as an instructor of baseball in
France didn't have quite the right tingIe
and the chunky pitcher has decided to
sign his contract That leaves Craw-
ford, Cobb. and Stanage in the hoidout
cfan.
Boston fans have won part of their
fight against Jeems Robert McAleer,
and 100 more 25-cent seats will decor
ate Fenway Park next summer. Ap-
parentIy McAIeer must have needed the
intention Of the fans in the Hub TO boy
cott the club unless the two-bit seats
come in.
Chance and his Yankees will open
Charlie Ebbett's new Brooklyn park on
April 5, repeating on April Z, and all
New York Is N delirium of Joy. Half
. million fans should be fighting for
admittance on the 9Th. II the weather