The Washington herald., 1913-04-03
By WILLIAM PEET.

Jack Dunn, boss OF the Baltimore
Orioles, called upon Manager GRIFFITH
yesterday for the purpose of inducing
the Old Fox to waive claim on the serv.
ices of Catcher Ben Egan, at present the
property OF the PnIladeipnla AtnIeucs.
A short while ago Connie Mack askec
for waivers on Egan, for the purpose OF
sending the receiver to Baltimore, hgur-
ing that with Thomas and Lapp, the vet
Grams, and Schang, promising recruit
he could easily dispense with Egan; but
Griff promptly blocked the deal, and was
perfectly justified in so doing.
At the present time the Nationals nave
only one receiver in good shape to go be-
hind the bat-Edde Ainsmith-and il any
thing should happen to the Cambridge
boy the club would be in bad way.
Al Williams, who has been hitting like
fiend this spring, is bothered with
lame arm, but will likely be all right
Just as soon as a little warm weather
appears.
Collegian John Henry, who threw out
his right knee last summer and VINO has
been under treatment ever since, is an
uncertain proposition. henry may pe
able to don the spangles and take his
turn behind the bat in a month, and then
again he may not be able to catch at all
this season.
Therefore, it would seem that if Griff
has chance to grab OF good catcher
at this time of the year he would be
foolish in not doing so.
Connie Mack wants to send Egan to
Baltimore. but until Griff knows where
he stands, the pilot of the White Ele-
plants hasn't a chance. 1t rs also safe
to say that Griff will never land Egan,
for various reasons Mack isn't adding
strength to any rival American League
ball team, and the Nationals can be
classed as rivals in every sense of the
word so the chances are that Mr..
Egan will warm the White Elephants
bench until Griff decides that he cannot
use the receiver.
Jack Dunn, of the Orioles, made the
statement while he was In the Capital
that if he could get Egan he would
have the best catching staff in the In
ternational League.
Napoleon Rucker, the Brooklyn
Dodgers great southpaw, will be in the
box against the National during part of
the game this afternoon. and the Grill
men will be afforded the opportunity of
going against a real sure enough
twirler before the American League sea-
son opens.
II was Manager Dahien's, purpose to
pitch Rucker part of yesterdays game
and then send him back to Brooklyn
in order to rest up for the series against
the New York Highlanders.
Opposed to Rucker today, weather
permitting, Will he young Joe Engel or
Joe Boehling, as Manager Griffith stated
last night that he would send this pair
in against the National Leaguers.
1t will be remembered that last spring
the Brooklyn Dodgers came here for
couple of exhibition games and won them
both, but this time the Climbers are
ready for them.
Both clubs practiced yesterday after
noon for nearly an hour, but ii was
raining steadily and there was little
signs of a let-up. SO the game was called
off
The Dodgers appeared to be in fine
fettle. and their work in practice was
impressive.
Bill Morley. or Morley Jennings, the
youngster obtained from the Knoxville
club, Of the Appalachian League, last
fall. was sold to the Hartford club, of
the Eastern Association. yesterday. 1t
was an out-and-out sale, with the proviso
that If Griff wants to buy the player
back next fall Owner Clarkin, OF the
Hartford team, will give the Old Fox
first chance to do business.
Germany Schaefer, who should know
whereof he speaks. declares that in his
opinion Morley has the makings of
great player, and that the Hartford club
was mighty lucky i'm picking up such
promising youngster
Morley will report to Hartford, in the
Connecticut State capital, on April 10.
but will work out with the Nationals
daily until that time.
With the Brooklyn club on the present
trip here is Abe Yeager, the sporting
editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, one
OF the best-informed baseball writers in
the East
In discussing the Dodgers chances,
Mr. Yeager last night said: I'm my opin-
ion, the Brooklyn club will finish fifth
or better during the coming season.
"Dahlen took with him to Augusta,
Ca, only a small squad. and was able
TO give a lot of attention to every in
dividual player. Last year the club hit
the ball hard, but pitching lost many
game. This season it looks as if the
pitchers Were much stronger, and L ex-
pect that the Dahlenites will cause a
whole lot of trouble before the final bell
rings"
The Superbas have thus far played five
hard ball games and won them all
Pitchers Ragon and Rucker have both