Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-11
GRIFFITH HAS NOT
GIVEN UP HOPE
Expects to Obtain New Out
fielder Before Spring
Arrives.
WANTS SEASONED PLAYER
TO USE IN EMERGENCIES
Many Clubs Anxious to Secure
Catcher Owens, Who May
Figure in Trade.
BY J. ED GRILLO.

Empty handed, but not discouraged,
Nar ager Griffith has returned from the
National League meeting in New York,
where he went in quest of an outtielder.
There was nothing doing so far as
deals were concerned, but there is hope
for the immediate future. The fact that
most of the National League clubs were
anxious to secure Joe Tinker from Gin
cinnati eliminated whatever chance
there was for considering other propo-
sitions and Griffith finally concluded to
return TO Washington and resort to cor
respondence to bring about desired re-
suits.
My sole object in trying to get sea-
soned outfielder is to fortify my team
AGAINST accidents said Griffith. III want
to get one of several outfielders who l
have reason to believe will not be car
ried by the clubs. m the National League
which now have them. | dor't want the
impression created that l am looking for
a player to take Shanks. place 1t would
take a mighty good ball player to do
that. In my judgment, but i want a sea
soned man on the bench who can go 10
the outfield and fill one of the regulars
places in the event of emergency l VIII
have Acosta and one or two other young
outfielders around but it is questionable
whether these have experience enough TO
hold the team intact when they are ask
ed to play. and 1t is for TINS purpose
that | want season man.
Mitchell or Wilson of Pittsburgh or
Bates of Cincinnati would suit ME mighty
well, and l expect to get one OF them De-
fore spring rolls around. have no inten-
ton of benching Shanks. / believe that
he will show TO better advantage the
coming season than heretofore, and, as
said before, they will have TO show me
mighty good ball player before l VIII
think of taking Shanks out OF the lineup
But under existing conditions IL is aDso-
lutely necessary that a team carry a vet
eran or two on the bench TO be used II ac-
cidents or Illness take one of the regu-
lars out of the lineup. 1t takes PLAYER
of experience to fill holes in the team
which come occasionally
Il found that several clubs are anxious
to secure Catcher Owens, whom We draft
ed from the Minneapolis club. and l am
satisfied that within week or two l
may be able to trade him to advantage
We can spare Owens because l con-
slider my catching staff as good as any
In the country.
Eddie Ainsnith is due 70 arrive in the
city some time today. Ains-nith has been
wintering down in Comfort, Tex. since
the season closed. He put in request
for some advance money the other day.
and after It had been nailed him he
wired Griffith that he would arrive here
on THURSDAY. though If he left on the
day he indicated he missed the check
mailed him. Ains1nith is expected to
spend the remainder of the winter here
The Nationals spring schedule IS stu
a rather uncertain proposition While
Griffith has succeeded in shifting the
two gares with the Boston Braves from
April and to the 10th and 18th. he
has been unable to induce the Philadel-
phia and Brooklyn clubs to make a
change while to date no arrangements
have been made with the New YORK
Giants Secretary John b. Foster. VINO
is looking after the affairs OF the New
York club during McGraw's absence.
says that the Giants. are signed Up 10
stay a certain period In New Orleans.
and that unless this Contract Is cancelled
il will probably be impos sioie to play any
games here next spring.
II don't remember when there was
such a scramble among lot OF Daii
clubs for a player like there was at the
meeting in New York for Joe Tinker,
remarked Griffith. Every club In tne
Nationa, League wants him and they
are not giving Garry Hermann time 70
breathe bother.ng him With propositions
Hermann is sure not TO retain Tinker,
out he IS not gong to have an easy time
figuring which OF the many deals propos-
"a viii be the best one for him to make
Tinker is worth all that is being o1er2ds
Ee is q wonderful ball player. and Is
sure 70 add strength TO any team ne may
join