The Washington times., 1914-07-26
By THOMAS KIRBY.

ST. LOUIS, Mo-, July 26.-Manaeer
Griffith today said that he stands ready
to fight for the services of young Blair.
Jack Dunn, of Baltimore, maintains
that the Orioles have a prior claim on
the services of the outfielder. When
he signed Blair, Griffith was familiar
with the negotiations for she player, as
they emanated from Baltimore, and he
insists that all the communications were
simply bids, and none CT these were
accepted by Blair.
The postponement of yesterdays game
has forced a double-header for this
afternoon. giving Clark Griffith the
chance to pitch both Engel and John
son. For st. Louis indications are that
il will be Carl WeIlman and George
Baumgardner.
Injuries have been a bitter Glow to
the Browns. and their Eastern trip cid
not bring about results satisfactory to
Branch Hickey. Lavan is sure to be
out at shortstop, so Bobby Wallace " Ill
return to that position, and the veteran
should have a decided effect on settling
the inner quarter, which has been going
none too well of late. and has led to the
Impression Of capable critics here that
the Browns have done their best days
work. meaning that from now on, In
les they take a commanding brace, they
will not merit further serious considers
tion in the hunt for the pennsnt.
To further add to the niseries Of
Hickey, Jim Austin is far from a well
man. and Gus Williams, on the recent
invasion of the seaboard cities, has
fallen of greatly in his hitting, thereby
depriving st. Louis Of its greatest bat
ting asset.
st. Louis is still remaining loyal to
the Browns and IL was a crowd of
nearly ten thousand that was disap-
pointed by the rain OF yesterday.
In batting practice before the near
game, Mike Mitchell had no trouble in
force and enthusiasm and the impress
sion among the Griffmen is that he
Will be most valuable addition to
the team. He will be used in all the
games when the Nationals are opposing
left-handed pitchers. Cube" Acosta
has yet TO prove that he is able to
successfully negotiate hits when he
faces men who twf1i from the right
field side of the rubber.
After Moeller and Foster had each
skied to second base, the game Of yes
terday was halted with Mitchell up.
John Henry last night gave out an
extended statement defending his
SDuEsS II Ine recent Controversy
tween organized baseball and the play
ers' fraternity, maintaining that as
delegate of the Washington team he
had nothing left but to conserve the
interest Of the men who choose them as
their leader.
Mrs. Moeller who came on the trip
with the team, leaves this evening for
Iowa and Montana. where she will
visit relatives.
While the rain of yesterday had the
effect of considerably cooling of this
city. the heat is still so intense that all
hands from Washington are still suf-
fering. The players remained up last
night as long as the training rules
would permit before taking to their
rooms TO try to get some sleep in what
Is universally rated the worst city in
the major leagues for the visiting men
TO get their proper rest.
Griffith decided yesterday to take the
Nationals to Decatur for an exhibition
game on August and he has practically
closed for exhibition dates at Frederick,
Nd. and Martinsburg. W. Va, on Au-
gust II and L, respectively. The latter
stops will be made on the way from
the West as the Nationals approach
Philadelphia for an all important series
with Connie Mack.