The Washington herald., 1913-03-09
GRIFF HAS STAR I
CATCHING STAFF
Williams, Henry, and Ain
smith Outrank Other
Receivers.
'RIPPY'S" ARM Is STRONG
Clouing Receiver l. Con6dent Of Hav-
ing q Great Year-Hsnry
Getting Well.
Special to The Washington Herald.

Special to The Washington Herald.
Charlottesville. Va, March s.-Wash-
ington's catching staff. the envy Of every
American league manager last season.
remains intact for the 1913 campaign
John Henry. Eddie Ainsmith and Al
Williams-and Grir is counting on these
sterling receivers to do even better work
than last summer.
No club in the Ban johnson circuit is
as well fortified behind the bat as the
Nationals Even the Boston Red Sox and
Philadelphia Athletics cannot boast of
as capable a trio.
For fear that Eddie Ainsmith might
not have fully recovered his health after
a winter spent in Texas. and that John
Henry might possibly have failed to
yield to treatment following his recent
operation for floating cartilage In his
left knee. Manager Griffith signed
Dutch" Munich, Washington sand lot
star, and Jack Egan, Q Connecticut semi
pro. both Of whom are here In the train
Ing camp.
Likes Younxsters.
Asked il he would carry four catchers
with him during the coming season
Manager Griffith replied: "I certainly will
il either Munich or Egan can show me
that they are able to hold up their heads
in fast company. I have not been able
to get a line on what either of nv
young catchers can do as yet. but will
have them sized up before we leave
camp.
Jack Egan. the chunky little bow
legged Bridgeport kid. is also a willing
worker, and has a good position at the
plate. meeting the ball with a powerful
swing He has not attempted 10 do much
throwing thus far. but appears TO be
very much at home behind the plate.
Il have watched Henry very carefully
since We have been here remarked
Grin to-day. Ind am convinced in MY
own mind that he will be ready to tak-
his turn behind the bat when the Amer.
lean LeagIe season opers Henry is
~ea ring that knee brace and only taking
mild exercise. but he tells me that his
knee grows stronger every DAY. o.
course, I shall not let him work in a
league game until he is perfectly all
right. but I feel confident that by the
time the season opens. ard that day is
nearly a month of he will be ready"
Eddie Ainsmith is altogether too am
bilious. and GriH's warning voice is con-
stantly heard calling out. Take things
easy. Ainsmith: don't cut loose too
often
Ainsmith never appeared to be So live
ly and in such high spirits as he Is now
since he has been with the Washington
club The vacation spent down IN the
wilds % Texas last winter proved Just
the right tonic for the peppery young
ster. In batting practice. .ainsmith Is
hitting the bail to all corners of the lot
Williams Il All Right.
Al Williams believes that his visit to
Bonesetter Reese last fall, when the
famous bone and muscle expert dis
covered couple OF ligaments out of
place and promptly snapped them back.
worked a permanent cure. and tha, he
will be able to peg to bases a. whole lot
better than during the 1872 season My
arm has not given me the slightest
trouble, so far" the husky hackstop
said to-day. and this is remarkable.
too. for last spring l was bothered with
a lame whip from the first day we start
ed to work outdoors
Williams for a big man is wonderfully
fast on the base paths. and hits better
than either Ainsnith or Henry Grit
figures on working big Al whole lot
during the coming season
Connie Mack, The astute pilct of the
White Elephants. gave out an interview
one day last fail. in which he said that
Henry was the best catcher in either Of
the major leagues. Other managers hav.
said the same thing.
Griff Is not worrying a bit over his
catching staff. Henry, Airsmith and
Williams form a trio of receivers who
can hold their own with any baseball
team in the world.