The Washington herald., 1913-05-17
Griffith Buys Mullin
From Detroit Club
Veteran Hurler Comes at
Waiver Price-Groom
Will Pitch Today.
BY WILLIAM PEET.

Detroit, Mich, May I6.-Manager Grif-
fifth this morning completed arrange
nIents with Owner Frank Navil, of the
Detroit Tigers, whereby the veteran
pitcher. George Mullin, comes to the Ma
tionals at the waiver price. $500.
Mullin will be out in a Washington uni
form tomorrow, but according to Griff.
will not be used I'm a game for at least
two weeks, as the twirler Is badly over.
trained, and until he Is able to get back
his fun strength, will be Of little use t.
the Nationals
The acquisition of George Mullin was
predicted in The Herald yesterday. also
Manager Griffith's reasons for buying
him. 1t is expected that the veteran will
add just the needed strength to the
Washington twirling stan while the
youngsters are being developed.
George Mullin is thirty years old. He
has been with the Detroit club twelve
Years, during which time he has. until
the past two years, pitched winning ball.
Last season Mullin allowed himself to
take on 100 much weight during the
winter, with the result that when the
league games started he was never in
shape to do himself justice. This ac-
counts for his poor showing in 1912.
During the present winter Mullin
placed himself on a diet, cut out drink
ing beer. and when he returned to De-
troit with the Tigers, after a strenu-
Gus spring training period spent in
GulfpOrt, Miss, he had reduced his
weight exactly thirty pounds.
Griff had a long talk with Mullin
this afternoon. The twirler jumped
on the scales and weighed exactly 1T
pounds. He looked thin and drawn.
and complained OF not feeling well.
Said GTin tonight: Il am convinced
that Mullin is badly overtrained, and
have ordered him to lay of the diet
and strenuous exercise until he has
taken on about eight pounds. Then
he will be ready to go into the box.
l feel sure that Mullin can win for
us. At any rate. / am going to take
a chance with him, and will make the
prediction right now that II Mullin can
win when our team Is complete with
Gandil and Foster in the lineup. we
will stand a fine chance of landing
Even if Mullin only lasts the one year
l shall consider that I have made a
good investment
Although the Detroit Tigers won to-
days game from the Nationals. the
Michigan club does not look much
stronger than last season. and Jen-
nings has a hard lob on his hands to
round out a team likely to finish in
the first division. either this year or
next.
In comparison with the ST. Louis
Browns or the Chicago White So8 the
Tigers look about as weak as the New
York Americans against the Climbers.
Jennings has a lot of youngsters in his
lineup, but they do not class with the
kids Griff developed last year. such as
Morgan, Shanks, Gandn, and others.
The Detroit team will likely improve
during the summer, but will never dis
lodge any of the present first division
clubs.
This is the writer's opinion after watch
ing them in action today.
Bob Groom is slated to face the enemy
tomorrow in the second game OF the
series, and as Sir Robert has not pitched
since Monday in St. Louis. and further
more has always been effective against
the Jungaieers, victory Is IN sight, pro- |
vided. of course, the Nationals are able |
to collect any runs. This horrible bat |
ting slump cannot last much longer.
Chick Gandil was given another rest
today, but Will more than likely play
first base tomorrow, part of the game at