Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
GAND|L LOOKS FOR
CASH|0N TO STAR
Picks Big Pitcher as Running
Mate for Johnson and
Groom.
SURE TO HAVE GOOD
CONTROL NEXT SEASON
AIva Williams Slated to Do
Bulk of Catching for Ma
tionaIs-Live Gossip.
BY J. ED GRILLO.

1t is generally conceded that if Carl
Cashion has secured control of the ball
when the season opens the Nationals
chances for the pennant will be material
~ increased. He looks to be the one
best bet among the recruit pitchers be-
cause of the rather good showing he
made last season, which was virtually
his first in the major leagues Winning
ten out Of sixteen games is rather en-
couraging accomplishment for a young
pitcher who lacks control. Cashion was
not hit hard in any of his games. but
was in. trouble many times because he
could not locate the plate
This has been the trouble with other
pitchers OF fame. Mathewson was as
wild as March hare when he broke in,
and there never was a pitcher who could
keep the ball as far away from the plate
as Bill Donovan during his first few
years in the game. Yet both eventually
mastered this weakness and became
stars.
Chick Gandil is one of those who look
coming campaign.
'Cashion is going to be the most i'm
proved pitcher this season that the game
has experienced in some time" said
Griffith's crack first baseman.
HE gave evidence last year of steady
Improvement, and being a fellow who is
anxious to learn, he is sure to make
success of 1t. With control Cashion is
possible for him to cut loose when he
has to. and don't overlook the fact that
when he let's his arm out he has about as
much stuff as any pitcher in the busi-
ness.
1T is easily figured that with Cashion
going good and sandwiched in between
johnson and Groom that the Nationals
will have three pitchers who will be hard
TO beat and team which has three
pitchers of their ability must be reckon
ed with
Gandil, by the way, believes that he
will have the best year of his career the
coming season. his health is so much
improved as the result of the removal OF
a good deal from a tired feeling which
ne attributed to the conditions Of the
organs which he had removed.
Doc White seems to be in, error when he
made the statement that Griffith had
promised to allow him to use American
League Park to play semi-pro games
Sundays in the event that he could get
his release from the White Sox II never
agreed to any such proposition said
Griffith this morning. IF Sunday base
ball is ever played in Washington we
will do the playing, and l don't believe
there is chance for Sunday base ball
here for some time.
Reports as to John Henry's condition
are most encouraging. but there is no
doubt that even if he has a complete re-
covery that it will be some time before
he will take his regular turn behind the
bat Rest will help Henry more than
anything else, and Griffith proposes to
let him have a lot Of it. Furthermore,
Griffith has decided to work Alva Will
liams much more this year than he did
last. The batting strength of the Ma
lie ic nt mol nat hn fpQYl pan al
ford to allow a batter of Williams abil-
ity to sit on the bench. He led the team
last season with an average Of 31S. He
was most timely hitter and his catch
ing was much better than ordinary.
Williams Is down to do lot of work
the coming season, though, of course,
Henry and Ainsmth will do their share.
One of the freaks of the American
League schedule is the fact that the st.
Louis Browns play their last game at
home September Z, leaving them almost
month of play on the road before the sea-
son closes. If the Nationals are up in
the race during the closing weeks of the
season they will have an advantage, be-
cause most Of their games will be played
on their own grounds Griff1th's team
was e. splendid road aggregation last
season.
home. but it's winning streak did not
start until two months of the season had
passed and morning practice was no long
err necessary. This years schedule gives
the team but ten games at home during
the first six weeks. and 1t remains to be
seen il the failure to get morning prac-
tice VIII make any material difference in
it's showing.
That Jacinto Calvo is a natural hitter
is shown by the remarkable average he
has made this winter in Cuba. He was
forced to face the three crack pitchers of
the Athletics-Bender, Plank and Coombs
in twelve or more games, and acquitted
himself splendidly. His average up to
week ago was .392 mark which few
players could reach during three or
fours months season.
It develops that keenan,, whom Crit
fifth purchased from Helena. Mont. has
been pitching under nom de guerre. ne
lives in California, and his right name is
Charley Sullivan.