The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-05-16
Mullen and Lake Are
Offered to Nationals
Owner Navin, Of Detroit Club,
Gives Gri9 Chance at Vet
Grams Would Be Big Help
to Team.
HUGHES PITCHES TODAY
By WILLIAM PEET.

Detroit. Mich, May 1.-THE postpone
ment of today's game with the Tigers
was Godsend to the Nationals, who ar
rived in Jungletown this morning three
hours behind scheduled time. The play
ers dressed in a rush, after consuming a
hasty lunch, and just as the park was
reached terrific thunder shower broke.
There was nothing left to do but call
off the ball game.
But few of the ball players were able
to get any sleep on the long ride from
st. Louis, and the hot ride had a de-
pressing effect on ALL
Between showers the Washington
pitchers were able 20 timber up a bit
with Catchers Ainsmith, Henry, and
Williams helping out.
The chief topic tonight among the ball
players was the narrow escape Griff had
this afternoon while talking with Owner
Navin, of the Tigers. in the Detroit
clubs headquarters. A bolt of lightning
hit flag pole over the room in which
Griff and Navin were sitting. knocking
GrifT out of his chair. The interior of
the room was badly battered up, but
neither Griff or Navin were injured.
May Get Mullen.
Had the game been played, a stormy
exhibition at the best would have been
put up by the Griffmen, who were "all
in" Then, too, Chick Gandi needed an
other day of rest for that bum foot of
his, and no regrets were heard when the
contest was shuffied into the discard
deck for a new deal when the Nationals
hike to the West again.
Before the Nationals leave Detroit 1t
&c ha, lyalr. has thay will taE a
with them either Pitcher George Null
lin. the Tigers veteran, or Joe Lake, the
"spitbalr' singer. both of whom are
on the market, and either of whom
would be acceptable TO the Climbers at
this stage of the pennant race.
Mullin is an old timer, who in his day
has been ranked with the best. He
helped the Tigers win two pennants, but
during the past two years has not rem
dered satisfactory service to Jennings
and Navin.
Joe Lake was purchased by Detroit
Tigers from the st. Louis Browns last
fall Lake was once with the New York
Highlanders and is far from all in
but like Mullin he cannot win for De-
troit hence the willingness upon the
part OF the Tiger management to unload
these pitchers to the highes; bidders
At Waiver Price, Yes.
Griff informed Owner Navin this after
noon that he would take either Mullin
or Lake at the American League waiver
price, 100, but when Navin demanded
more money the Old Fox said, Nothing
doing"
1t is believed LAT Mullin will come to
Washington at Griffs figures. The deal
is up in the air at present and Griff has
another appointment with Mr.. Navin to-
morrow.
To Washington fans it might possibly
seem as if Manager Griffith was taking
a step in the wrong direction. should he
sign up either Mullin or Lake; yet Just
stop to consider one phase of the situa-
ton, which will show that such move
would be to the interests of baseball in
Washington.
For the sake of argument il can be
said that Mullin has seen his best days
as a pitcher. He cannot win for Detroit
principally because he is with a second
division ball club. Detroit is building
for the future; so, also. is Griffith, but
the Old Fox is much farther advanced
than is Jennings at this stage. In fact
Washington has a fighting chance to win
the pennant; all that is needed is one
more dependable pitcher, as thus far
johnson, Groom, and Hughes are the
only fingers who have pitched consist
emily.
Mullin, with a team behind him OF
Washington's caliber, has enough pitch.
ing left in him to win ball games. Al
least it would seem so, for in combats
he has worked this season he has LOST
principally on account of poor defense
and equally poor offense by his owr
players.
In 1910 the Detroit Tigers grabbed Ton
Jones from st. Louis and Jim Dele
hanty from the Nationals, both veterans
\ who had only about a year left in the
big shows. Jones and Delehanty proved
Just the strength to win the pennant
Both were signed when NEEDED the most
What the Nationals must have righ
now is one more dependable pitcher
George Mullin is worth a chance at th'
waiver price. and If he is purchased
there is no telling what may happen.
Few Washington rooters down II
their hearts believe that Engel Cashion
BoehIing, and Gallia, all promising bur
inexperienced pitchers, would be o
as much value to the Nationals this sea
son as a man Of George Mullins ex
perience.
Had a ball game been played here THU
afternoon Joe Engel was slated to d.
the pitching for the Nationals, but to
morrow Griff announced that Ton
Hughes would be in the box. Opposet
to Tom will likely be Mark Hall, one o
the Tigers promising youngsters.