Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-14
WALTER JOHNSON
REALIZES HE is
NOT IN BEST FORM
Continued from First PageD

having a chance to make good. Ii he
was short on twirlers Bentley and
Harper would get a better chance than
they need, but after a while something
may happen which will force him to use
them. and they both give promise of do
ing good work. The improvement in this
pair is nothing short of marvellous.
Not even barring Walter johnson, no
young pitcher who has broken into big
league base ball as member of the
Washington team has ever made as good
an impression as Doc Ayers. The former
Richmond star has done splendid work
this spring, and any time he is selected to
pitch good performance is to be ex-
pected. Ayers not only has lot of de-
ceptive stuff, but he has nearly perfect
control. a fact which makes him hard
man to beat. for the very good rea son
that he never presents the opposition
with any runs; it must earn what it gets,
Ayers really had but two years minor
league experience before coming to the
Nationals. and he looks more like fin
ished artist than the average youngster
who comes up from higher class.
Jim Shaw too. is sure to make most
competent hurler. but. like most young
men. he needs experience and after this
season he ought to be able to show to
much better advantage.
1t looks very much as if the Wash
ington club were going to be greatly
benefited by its arrangement with the
Los Angeles club, whereby, for the
sending of various players to that club.
Manager Griffith is to have the pick of
the players of that team at the end OF
pitching sensation just now, young
man, Ehlnke by name, who gives
promise Of being a phenomenal per-
former. Ehmke is described as being
81. ry1lx nj ga re
old and has won every one of the eight
games he has pitched in a common gal
lop. Frank Dillon. Griff1th's cousin. who
manages the Los Angeles team. is on
record as saying that Ehmke Is the
greatest youngster that has ever come
under his observation.
If this young man lives up to his
reputation he is sure to be q valuable
addition to the Nationals pitching stan.
and just what a difference one more
wonderful twirler would make to the
team is easily recognized.
Griffith, of course will have Ehmke
report to the Nationals just as soon as
he can. but that may not be until very
late in the present season or during
the training period next spring.
John Henry. representative of the ball
players fraternity, made a business call
on President Ban johnson of the Ameri-
can League this morning. The object of
the visit was to make formal protest
against the visiting teams dressing
room in Connie Mack's ball park. and
also to call attention to the fact that
the scoreboard at Shibe Park is so
constructed as to obscure the bats
mans vision when a left-handed
pitcher is on the rubber. This is in
strict violation Of the agreement exist
ing between organized base ball and
the fraternity entered into last win
ter. The dressing rooms. according to
Henry and all other players of other
teams. are insanitary, and, for this
reason, menace to the players
health.
Henry's protests and suggestions
were well received. and President
Johnson has promised to take the mat
ter up with the Philadelphia club at
once, and have necessary changes made
as soon as possible.
Otto Nye. the young infielder Griffith
sent to Scranton. has failed to make
good. Notice to this effect reached Crit
fifth tonight He has not decided what
disposition he will make of Nye.