The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-08-14
TRAIL
OF Big GAME
Cri6th's Sudden Departure
for Parts Unknown Means
He is After Some Star.
OTHER SPORT GOSSIP
Nationals Have Yet to Win Game in
-Boston-Johnson to Work
Today.
By WILLIAM PEET.

Manager Grifith's sudden departure
presumably for the purpose Of looking
over some ball player. is particularly sig
niicant.
The Old Fox did not accompany the
club to Boston. placing the team in
charge of George Mcbride. Griffs move
ments are shrouded in mystery, at least
such was the case up to a late hour
last night. and he is probably after big
game.
During the four years Griffith has pilot
ed the destinies of the Washington club.
he has. until yesterday. only absented
himself from the club on one occasion.
that during May Of 1912. when he hiked
to Montreal and brought back Chick
Gandil.
That Griff is after some player Of more
than ordinary ability. one which will
likely cost the focal club a bunch of
money or involve the transfer of play
ers, seems to be the logical solution Of
Griff's mysterious disappearance.
The Old Fox has always said that he
would never pay big money or consider
an important trade for a ball player from
the minors. until he had first seen the
player in action.
present on the trail Of such a player,
and important announcements are ex-
pected today or Sunday.
The Grinmen have played nine games
In Boston thus far this season and have
yet to chalk up a single victory in the
Hub.
Friday. the thirteenth. was surely an
day for Washington-that 8 to
2 H. ~ l.
was tough one to lose.
Walter johnson will more than likely
be in the box this afternoon. with Joe
Wood or Babe Ruth opposing him.
The release of Herb Pennock by the
Red Sox did not surprise Philadelphia
fans, who figured that the Kenneth
Square youth was about through as a
pitcher unless he could put on more
weight. The wisest course Pennock could
pursue would be year in retirement.
Lack of strength when the sun grows
hot has been Pennock's great weakness.
Ralph Comstock. pitcher of the Provi-
dence International League team. has
been purchased by the Reds This is
the fourth major league trial for Com
stock. He has always been a wonder in
the minor leagues. but could never stand
the gaff in the majors.
Branch Hickey. boss Of the St. Louis
Browns. has started to rebuild his team
and all his new material is being Sc
cured from the colleges.
college players as a rule are brainier
Ind more gentlemanly than the sand lot
players asserts Hickey. And there's
lust as much natural ability among the
,ollegians as there is among the youths
who come from the small-town teams.
Connie Mack built a wonderful machine
with raw material secured from various
colleges. and I hope to do likewise
Furthermore, college player can be
for almost nothing in comparison
With what one must pay for highly
:outed minor league player
Manager Fred Clarke. of the Pirates.
criticised because he hasn't gone on the
lines this season. makes this
iefense:
Il am needed more on the bench.
where I can advise the young players
ust what to do when they go to bat.
Baseball Is. In a large measure. a
Jane of wits. A young player cannot
match wits with a veteran pitcher un-
ess he is advised. and my duty. as see
t. Is to tip OF my youngsters Just what
hey are to expect. and then advise them
low to beat the veteran.
1T doesn't suffice to tell a youngster
What to do Just once or twice. He must
V told again and again until the advice
S indelibly stamped on his brain. And
ome youngsters, you know, have brains
hat resist advice for a very long time"