The Washington times., 1915-04-14

bad throwing arm, but he wants to
play. and Manager Griffith may yield to
his desires and bench Rippy Williams,
who has been doing good work at the
initial corner. In shape. Gandil Is most
valuable and he thinks he can hold up
his end today against the Yankees.
Ray Morgan Is another doubtful
proposition. The watch charm second
baseman has been suffering from a
strained tendon in his groin for the
past week. and has been allowed to rest
In preparation for today's contest. II
he feels lively enough to get back into
the lineup, he will be found at second
base today, and Charlie Pick. who has
been cavorting around that section of
the infield. will take up his duties on
flrst-class baseball for the Nationals
until he was hurt. and Manager Grit
fith Is IN hopes Of his coming right
back and starting in where he left OFF.
Shanks the marvellous fielder Of the
past three seasons. Hank was bench
ed in favor OF Henri Rondeau. but
when the physicians ordered the latter
to go to bed and remain there for one
full week, Shanks was sent back to his
old berth, where he Immediately began
to show frst-class form.
IF Shanks can hit hard enough. he
stands an excellent chance OF holding
that left-field berth, at least for several
IT,
Rondeau will take his place as soon as
he Is able to walk.
The Griffmen of 1915 look much the
are most Important changes. Today
Manager Griffith starts upon his way to
a possible pennant. He banks on go
many possibilities, however. that It is
ma anirestly unfair to speak Of pcnnants
on the opening day OF the season.
II the team meets with few injuries at
important places II the young pitchers
show as much against league teams as
they have In practice, IL certain men,
bers of the team hit up TO the expected,
the Griffmen may be found next Oc-
tober battling for the worlds champion
ship with the winners in the National
League race, also starting today.
Manager Griffith has one Of the most
powerful pitching staffs In the history
or the league. Six right-handers and
three southpaws make up the squad tc
mer Walter Johnson. Jim Shaw, Joe
Engle. Bert Gallia. Booth Hopper and
Doc Ayers are the right-handed heroes
with Joe Boehling; Harry Harper and
paws. 1t 10 difficult to see what four
or five will be expected to bear the
prunt of the work this season. Man
ager Griffith himself has made no de.
be used at whatever times they happen
to be looking good.
Walter johnson, of course, Is ranked
as the leading pitcher in the game. II
he pitches the kind of ball this season
that lie did In 1912 and 1913 most wise
/ followers OF the game believe that
! Washington may have the honor Of de.
! tending the league against the Tenei
! tribe next October for the worlds title
| johnson Is believed to have sufficient
support from the other eight twirlers tc
| make this almost certainty.
! Joe Boehling Is better this spring
than he has been since first reporting
| to the Washington club, and hopes are
| entertained that he will come close
! to leading the southpaw pitchers OF
| the Anne erican League. In every tria
| Boehllng has impressed onlookers with
his ability. He has been through the
| mill and has few rough edges.
| Doc Ayers. always a great spring
pitcher. Is ready for the gong. He
is in better condition now than ever
before. thanks to Ferdy Martin. the
| expert trainer. and he should do his
! share of the early work.
Bert Gallia has acquired control. al
! he ever needed to take his place among
the best pitchers in the business. Thi!
| also applies to Joe Engel, the Silver
| Spring athlete. Both OF these young
sters have developed wonderfully since
| last season and Manager Griffith look!
for them to be winners this year.