The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-01-01
GRIFFITH MAY
LET OUT Three
Musser, Boehling, and Long
Slated for the Atlanta
Club.
OPTIONAL AGREEMENTS
John Henry Says He Is in the Best
of Condition and Will Surely
Play Ball.
BY WILLIAM PEET.

by WILLIAM PEET-
Billy Smith, manager OF the Atlanta
Club Of the Southern League, Clark Grif-
fith's bosom friend. who is in Washing
ton at present for a short visit, expects
to land three OF the young Nationals be-
fore he leaves the Capital.
Southpaw Joe Boehling. Paul Musser,
and Tommy Long are the players Smith
hopes to corral, with the betting odds 10
to / that this trio Will be on the job
when the candidates for the Atlanta club
report for practice this spring.
Long has virtually been promised to
Atlanta. Griff figures that with Shanks,
Moeller, and Milan. and such promising
youngsters as Connolly and Calvo, the
young Cuban. together with Welchonce,
untried material. he has no place for the
fieet-footed Gadsden youngster.
Musser is a pitcher who is sure to de-
veIop with plenty OF work, while Joe
Boehling also possesses the stun, lacking
only control. In fact, Manager Smith had
Boehling for a short period last season
when at the head of the Chattanooga
club and was forced to turn him back
because Joe was as wild as a March
hare. 1t is believed that both Boehling
and Musser will be sold to Atlanta on
the optional agreement plan. so that
Washington may be able to grab them at
the close of the season IL they are ready
for another trial in the majors
There is a possibility that Griff may
encounter opposition when he tries to ask
for waivers on Musser as several Amer
Jean League managers liked the looks of
the tow-headed twirler last season.
Tommy Long was sold to Mobile last
spring and played good ball for that
club. He is as fast they make EN-
and can nit. A weak throwing arm is
his only handicap. Billy Smith thinks
well of the Gadsen boy and has already
consigned him to place in his outfield.
john Henry's Knee.
Catcher John Henry, of the Nationals,
arrived in Washington yesterday and
will spend two weeks in Washington, re-
turning to lbs home in Amherst, Mass,
until the time appointed for the Ma
tionals 10 report for spring training.
AS has been stated before, Henry is
here at the request of Manager Griffith
TO undergo treatment for a bum knee in
jured last season while throwing to Sec
Ond base when the ligaments were
wrenched as the catcher made a quick
throw to second, his spikes catching in
the ground while he attempted to make
the heave.
Yesterday afternoon Henry's knee was
examined by the club physician and sew
eral other experts. who will meet in con-
sultation tomorrow to decide just what
should be done.
The writer had talk with Henry last
night, who said that he felt as fine as a
fiddle. ready TO play ball tomorrow il
necessary.
THE whole trouble is this vouch-
safed John; there is a piece of carti-
lage in the region of my kneecap which
refuses TO lay quiet and which frequently
causes me trouble. l will know on Thurs
day just what the surgeons decide. which
will be one of two things-this cartilage
will either be sewed in place or removed.
The operation, they tell me, will be only
minor one, and / do not expect TO be
laid up more than a few days. / will be
right on the job when the bell rings, as
good as new. 1 expect to be home in two
weeks from to-day at the very latest"
1t has not been decided whether to
have the operation on the catcher's knee
performed in Washington or Baltimore.
The experts will settle this point during
their consultation tomorrow.
The popular catcher was not only en-
thusiastic over his visit with Griff out
in the wilds Of Montana, but confirmed
everything the Old Fox had to say about
that famous deer-slaying incident.