Evening star., 1914-07-25
GRIFFITH EXPECTS
AH|GHER STANDING
Says Club Should Improve Its
Percentage Before 1t
Returns Home.
MIKE KAHOE is MAKING
LONG TOUR OF MINORS
Efforts Are Being Made by the Scout
to Corral All the Talent
Possible.
BY ]. ED GRILLo.
Special Dispatch to The Star

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ST LOUIS, Mo-, July 25.-Though
there is doubt prevalent among those
who have seen the Nationals in action
lately as to their ability to retain their
present position on this trip. Manager
Griffith not only expects his charges to
accomplish that. but he says he will be
disappointed If the team does not i'm
prove its percentage before it reaches
home.
Griffith does not seem to have a very
high opinion of the western teams. He
believes that all of them. with the pos
sible exception of Detroit, have shot
their bolt and will not be prominent in
the race hereafter. He does not expect
lot of trouble from the locals though
he realizes that the Browns have good
pitchers and are hustling team.
He does not propose to start Walter
Johnson in the first game of the series
mere today; He wants to hold him
back for a day or so and will use Engel
or Ayers. If he gets away with either
Of these twirlers he may use Shaw
Sunday and keep Johnson for one of
the hnal games. But, of course, these
plans are always subject to changes.
The Nationals are again housed in
very hot downtown hotel, and it is
needless to say that the heat is intense
here Other clubs have been stopping at
suburban hotel. but Griffith does not
want to take his charges there because
the house is frequented by the Federal
League teams 1t IL opposite a big park,
and the nights are cool there. compared
to the downtown hotels, and sleep is
possible. Report has 1t that Ban john
son has issued an edict against any of
the American League clubs stopping at
this hotel because it puts the players in
touch with Federal League environments,
which are figured as detrimental, so the
American League players seem destined
to spend their nights in front of a whirl-
ing fan In the hope of getting few
winks Of sleep.
is to be tried out on the present trip,
halls from Reading Ohio. a little town
just few miles from Cincinnati. Blair,
it develops. Is a cousin OF Mike Schreck,
the heavyweight pugilist, who a few
years ago fought some notable battles.
Blair stands a chance of making good
with the Nationals. He has impressed
every one with his speed in chasing flies.
and. while no line has yet been gotten on
his hitting. he will be given plenty OF
opportunity in practice during the pres
ent trip.
Scout Mike Kahoe Is making an exten-
siye tour through the minor leagues all
over the country in search Of playing ma
terial. Gnfhth is anxious to corral as
many recruits this fall as possible. for the
reason that the demand for players Is
going to be greater than ever now that
the Federal League seems sure to be
in the field again next season. The new
league will make every effort to recruit its
teams with young material from the
minors. and this means that the major
leagues will have to get d move on II
they expect to get their share OF the re-
cruits from the bushes.
Kahoe, 1t is understood, has been on
the road steadily for nearly two months
and he probably will not get through un-
til the middle of August, when purchases
must be made in order to make them
legal.
The trip here from Washington was
hard one 1t was. of course. hot and the
dust and SCOT were so thick that it was
not easy to recognize the players until
they had washed
Mike Mitchell the outfelder secured
from the Pittsburgh Club. made his ap-
pearance here this morning. Mitchell
looks fit and ready. and in the event OF
q left-hander pitching against the Ma
tionals this afternoon may be played in
one of the outfield positions Mitchell
seems pleased with his new berth. Il
am glad to get back with Grif.' he said.
because the best years of my career
were spent under his management. l
am in irst-class shape, and l hope to
make good with Washington.