The Washington times., 1915-02-23
Former Mt. st. Mary's 0utfieIder
Will Accompany Regulars to
Charlottesville, Says Man.
ager Griffith.
Old Fox Denies That Merito
Acosta, Midget Gardener,
Will Hop to Feds Through
Failure to Land Job.
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

BY LOUIS A. DOUGHEh.
Joe Letters, the former Mt. St.
Mary's College outfielder, is to be
given a trial at Charlottesville by
Manager Griffith. He will accom-
pany the regulars on March z to
the training camp.
II have forgotten to add Letters
name to the list" explained the Old
Fox today, "but he's going down for
q trial, anyway. watched him
bit out at the ball park last fall
when Dutch Schaefer brought him
back from Atlantic City and his
movements were favorable. I don't
know how he. hits or very much
about him in any way at all, but
there's something about him that
makes him look worth q. trial. Some
times they fool you, you know, and
I'm taking no chances. Yes, he'll go
to Charlottesville with the regulars" "
Letters failed to make good in the
New York State League. probably
through inexperience He caught on
with the Atlantic City semi-pro team
and was playing with that team when
Herman Schaefer, convalescent from q
slight illness. was visiting the beach
resort. Schaefer liked his looks and
forwarded him to Washington.
The young outtielder has one draw
btck-a wealthy father. This may in
terfere with the youngsters ambition.
poor boys who have to fight for their
living generally proving more success
full on the diamond than the other type.
Raymond Carville Cutie" Morgan
has obtained a respite of q few days.
Instead of beginning his weight reduc-
tion stunts tomorrow at Chariottes:
Vile, the pudgy second baseman Will
not go to the training camp until next
Sunday with the battery candidates.
Morgan is pleased at this good luck and
insists. that he will enter the Campaign
IN perfect condition to show at his best
However. the Old Fox says that Sec
ing Is believing. and 30 Ray with have
weeks additional work before the
rest of the squad joins the Charlottes-
Zeb Milan is going to be here a day or
so before the regulars leave for the
camp b;s 80 ne wrtes to n.
Milan says that he is in good health and
hopes for a good year.
->-
Unless he changes his mind. Walter
Johnson will arrive in Washington be-
fore this week is out. He had planned
TO get here before March l.. and, SO far
as known. has not shifted the scheme.
According to dope from Cuba. Merito
Acosta may hop to the Feds. The
little fellow Is said to have been advised
by Manager Griffith to spend a year
with a minor league team. thus gettins
In daily practice and fitting himself fol
the big show. Armando Marsans is be-
lieved to have talked the midget into
considering a Federal League offer.
That's all bunk, plain bunk" replied
Manager Griffith today. when told OF
the Cuban report "Acosta has never
been told by me that year in the
minors would help him. want him
for my own ball club. and that's where
he is going to remain. That tale from
Cuba Is merely a dream. There's moth
Ing to 1t in the slightest"
Ramiro Seiglic. the Cuban infielde,
tipped Off to the Griffmen. will receive
a trial with the Philadelphia Nationals
this spring
Doc Johnston; former Cleveland f,rst
baseman. will be with the Pittsburgt
Pirates next summer. every club II
the American League having waived or
good fielder, bur his hitting is neithe,
timely nor hard. In new surroundings &
though he may make good and fll tina
vacancy left by Kitty Bransfield som,
years ago.
Buck Herzog fooled the Pittsburgh
sport scrihes Yesterday. While the'
wcrc writing tales that Rebel Oakes
the P'ttsfeds' leader. still had n chanc,
to sign up Wee Tommy Leach. Her
zoG sncaked into town and grabbed tn,
veteran outfelder for the Cincinnati
Reds Leach has signed for but on
RnHQ
Tho Athletics will have thirty-trre
rlavcrs training at Jacksonville, Fla
this spring. Thirteen are rockies
seven Of whom are pitchers. Evident
" Comm" Mack means to find success
sors to Bender, Plank. and Coombs.
t'ntil "omethlnC really happens in tn
Frank Baker ease. Connie Mack vii
continue to be kent mighty busy deny
ing rumors. He Is now out with
statement that. at least for two NOR
seasons. Baker will plav with the Mack
has that long to run before dying. an
Connie saws he won't sell or trade hir
for anything in the world
Ray Caldwell has shown up at He
Springs, Ark. Now let the Europea
war go on.
Though not allowed to begin trainin
until March ]. fourteen rockies haN
begun work at Marlin Springs. Te,
Because no baseballs or bats are "
in camn; this work Is not called "trai,
have to investigate the case and d.
~ just what "training" 10.