The Washington times., 1914-01-11
No Club in the Big Leagues
Has More Promising Con-
tingent of Kids.
PAUL MUSSER.

When the Climbers dig for Charlottes-
vile to begin their training for the COM
! ing American League season, Manager
! Griffith is going to keep his eyes glued
70 a quintet of young twirIers who have
! yet to show their class. though bear
/ ing all the earmarks of future big
league stars. He is going to give most
of his attention to Joe Engel. Jim Shaw.
D. c. Ayres. Paul Musser and Jack
] Bentley as being quite the best of his
| assortment of youngsters.
Joe EngeI has had the most big league
experience or the quiptet. For two years
the miIk-bottle hurler has tOiIed on the
moun6 and in the bull pen of every park
In the circuit. Nevertheless, he has yet
/ TO ccme into mis- own and earn a regu-
lar berth for himself. Manager Grif-
fifth believes that Engel will show his
real stuff this year and for that reason
be will give him all his attention.
Jim Shaw, who pitched phenomenal
ball for York in the Tri-State League
last season and came through a couple
Of times brilliantly for the Climbers at
the fag end of the season, Is being tout
ell as the best looking young right hand
er treaking into the American League.
He has terrific speed. the simplest OF
motions and is big fellow.
Paul Musser comes back for another
trial with the Climbers after making
fine record for Des MUines in the West
ern League last year. He was with the
| team at Charlottesville in 1911, L".n%
sent to Los Angeles for the remainder
I Of the season last spring he WIS with
Atlanta. falling down badly and being
turned back TO the Climbers. Manager
Griffith sent him to Des Moines, where
he old great work, finishing second
! s.mC NJ the leagues twirlers.
Jack Bentley, the only soWthpaw in
| this quintet, is absolutely without cX-
perienCe yet with one Of the best fu-
.uTes ahead of him. Bentley Is a stOcky
lad who takes the best of care Of him
tinc one by no less = critic than Jack
| Ryan, while his speed is all the doctor
ordered.
DOC Ayrcs, s:ar twirlcr Of the Rich
mond Virginia League team rnr the :;st
: Climbers last var. had he s'H.u liz to
report at Charlottesville. H." preferred
% remain 1t school and 50 Ind 10 toll
| in thr. bushes last summer. coming TO
i:GC Climbers in September. H., is Il big
EeIlow with . puZZlIn" undcrhand deliy-
cry and a nne slow ball. lie show ed
! little speed here last year, but u" had
been overwOTked during the sumner and
may show more this spring.
! Joe Enge's chances for making good
are excellent His visit to EOnesctter
! Reese has put his shoulder in perfect
| condition for work. Though ;ts yet un-
successful. EnGel has never been hit
hard bv any team. Widness has been
his chief fault and Manager Griffith
! horeS to cure him of this just rs he did
| E"ehlinG.
! AIusSer j. said t" have developed a
wonderfully deceptive cury" ball since
he was last With the Climbers and
| Western League critics think he will
make good from the jump.
Jim Shaw's speed is his principal as
set. /; is frequently compared TO that
Il JohnsOn's. the games Greatest twirl-
! er. Bentley and ANTes have Vet to
show their real class day in and dav
orIt. bu: this quintet oC youthful star
fingers is about the best in the big
leagues