The Washington times., 1914-10-12
IGR|FF AND JOHNSON
HAVE UNDERSTANDING
Pitcher Will Probably Be Signed
Up During the Winter
Months.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

pected to be reached through the mails
before spring.
This was the information from Clark
Griffith today when the manager denied
The reports from Philadelphia that he
had had series of interviews with the
pitcher, on the matter of contract for
term of years, while the pair was in
Philadelphia at the two worlds series
sames.
Il simply told Walter that / would
write to him, and he said he would be
glad to take up the matter" explained
the manager You know Walter has
never hurried about signing and he will
before lie reaches training camp. But.
of course, | never had any doubt about
signing him and | do not expect any
great trouble when We come to talking
business"
Griffith once more took occasion to
'reterate the story that has constantly
been bobbing up and was brought back
to life at Philadelphia to the effect that
he had made Johnson an offer that
had been refused. Griffith says that
the amount of money has not been even
reached
johnson went to New York yesterday
to pitch in semi-pro game and last
night started for his home, In Coffey-
Vile, Kan. Whether he will visit Wash
ington during the winter is dependent
entirely upon the wishes Of his bride.
The day after tomorrow has been set
foc the wedding of John Henry. This
year has been a busy matrimonial one
for the Nationals. Doc Ayers was mar
ried on Saturday at lulaski, Va, adding
to tho list which contains the names OF
Moeller Milan Johnson, Ainsmith Ged-
con, who have Lately taken unto them
selves brides. Howard Shanks is yet
to be heard from.
~-
Should the Athletics win today or to-
morrow. Clark Griffith will be a men,
Der of the Washington delegation that
will go TO Philadelphia on Wednesday
Griffith remains stanch in the belief
that the Boston Braves will be the win
ners of the present combat for the dia-
mond title OF all lands.
He declares that the Boston pitchers
have completely outguessed their oppo-
nents at every turn. However, he con-
cedes that the Mackman are due for
at least one win.
Be prepared for a complete change
in the tactics of the Athletics at the
bat when diamond hostilities are re-
sumed today at Boston.
Thus far the flower OF the American
League has been outtielded. outhit, out
guessed. outpitched, outrun, and, in
short. outclassed. The series as far as
it has gone has proven epical. in that
the supposedly weaker Braves have not
only been returned winner in both con-
tests. but there has been such sharp
contrast in the work Of the two teams
Athletics hardly had justified their
claims to be spoken of in the same
breath as the dashing Bostonese.
Before the set was started It vas
thought that terrific work with the
bat by the Mackian clan would carry
nitHheYa
might falter. To date. the Athletics
have made one run. and even this was
not earned.
Aside from the unexpected straight
triumphs of the Braves, the real sur
prise has been the poor Judgment the
Mackmen have shown at the plate. No
matter where either Rudolph or James
has aimed the ball ii appears the Ath-
letics have sUiped At 1t. Sixteen OF
them have been fooled INTO striking out,
the fact that they have been hitting at
such poor balls that they have been
BILE 10 meet the leather sauarely.
Tha admitted weakness of the Mack
men is n curve ball around their knees.
Rudolph and James kept the ball in
this Vicinity nearly all Of the time in
both Of the gamer and when they were
not getting It by as a strike they We're
Goa King the Athletics to sweep through
the air il, vain efforts to whale II into
safe territory. OldrinG. IN particular.
has been severely faved for the manner
in wlich he has fallen for the tactics
of the two Boston pitchers.
Having twice failed to max" r"-
spccIable showing by their aggressive
campaicn at the bat, il would not be
surprising If Mack should today give
is particularly likely, should StallinIs
go through with his plan Of sending |
back Dick Rudolph. victor in the open !
ing contest. Up TO the present the 1uo
have constantly been get |
ng tho man in front Of them III III"
hole Mack's hopes are probably to
reverse this condition by saddhns Tn"
hand cap on the pitcher. 1t would 40 |
pear as though tho only manner through !
which he will he able to accomplish |
u = NiIl l." TO stop tls hltters soi'ls
after the balls through their weakest |
aIlevs aud force the twirlers to lay IT
\r.. ami then will he the instructions |
10 xuch sphere -maulers AS Baker. or. !
lins, McInncs, ami the rest to bust II.
tb,. wilt rg chances Of the Mackmen. il
is 10 make even respect /
able showing against the team that
was supposed TO be the inferior. JhH
trouble has been ~ the plate, ana tH-
dav's game is the one IN which the
.hreMd Mack probably will shift his
system Of ha v'ng his ntoH try 10 pound
tn, ball 10 the wall instead OF endeaV-
oriu.y 10 get men On, work them aroinn.
and then depend upon his pitchers 70
hold the Braves close
This must not be taken as indicating;
the Athletics ar: out of 1t. They SUI
have q chance. not an even one TO De
- re-. But they still have a chance. IL
tho tall tactiCisn can devise some |
method of getting his sluggtng star"
into their normal gait, the ending "r
the series may De As sensational as the
beginning.
TIL, betting still remains at 2 to J.
whi.h appears about justifable, NJ
though thern is likely to be q decided
slump In the odds should the Mackmen
realize the hopes and prayers of Phila
dcIDhia fandom by coming through tHls
afternoon.
Th. attendance figures that are beng
with the ones Of last year
arc misleading. The impression gained
rom these tabulations is that there
has been a falling off since last du-
tnmn. The difference is brought about
through the fact that the games lssI
fall alternated between New York and
I'hiIa delphia. while thus far both have
been contested u Shibe Park. with its
limited capacity. AS a matter OF fact.
exactly one less person saw the game
this time that corresponded with the
same game In L2i1