The Washington times., 1915-02-18
Great TwirIer Tells Griffith
That He Is in Fine Shape,
and Promises Best Work in
Coming Contests.
Old Fox TickIed at Optimistic
Note in Pitchers Letter, and
Forqets Worries Of His
Official Job.
By LOUIS A. DOUGHER.

BY LOUlS "A, DOO1l1Cn.
"1 am in good health and just
waiting for the training season to
begin. I hope to pitch better ball
for Washington in 1915 than ever
before"
This is the message received from
Walter johnson by Manager Clark
Griffith today and it is quite need
less to say that the Old Fox is
tickled at the information. In long,
chatty, and most friendly letter to
his boss, the great twirler breathes
optimism for the coming campaign
on the diamond. He will arrive in
Washington several days before 1t Is
time for him to report at Charlottes.
vile.
Il had written Walter to come here In
time to attend the Anacostia banquet.
thinking 1t would be later than 1t was.,
he expected to do SO. But 1 have now
written him that the banquet has been
held However, l think he will get here
around the first day Of March. He
:. but he'll need a few days to get SET
waiter writes that outdoor work all
winter has done him world OF good,
thinks that the team will have a good
chance to win the pennant this season,
and will do all in his power to land
Washington on top. This Is the best
With Walter pitching the style Of ball
he did in 1912 and 1913-well, watch
those other fellows scatter whenever the
big fellow Is out there in the box
Joe Gedeon will play Salt Lake next
summer. The deal was completed to-
day by Manager Griffith
NJ. Ferdinand Martin, the Grinlncns
trainer. has all his plans finished now
to leave for Charlottesville on Febru-
ary 9. He will be the vanguard OF one
to prepare the training camp for the
athletes.
Emil Meusel. the young outfelder from
California farmed out to Elmira last
season by the Griffmen. Will play with
Los Angeles this season. instead OF
Minneapolis. Meusel kicked at the SAL
ary offered by Joe Cantillon. claiming
he wanted 5000 more q month. So Grif
has shunted him to Los Angeles. his
home town.
Eddie Plank will not 60 to Havana
=, with the St. Louis Reds. He has been
allowed to do his work in Jacksonville.
The veteran southpaw claims that Gu
ban weather is bad for him. and Fielder
Jones Is willing to allow the former
Mackman to use his own judgment.
A game warden is on the hunt Tor
Jack Coombs; A few weeks ago u;t
of the Mackmen. and Danny Murphy,
of the Brookfeds, were hunting in
Maine. Cocmbs is said to have broken
the game law by getting two deer.
Billy Hollander. the former George
town University shortstop. and James
Ritter. infelder. have been released to
tho Wichita club, of the Western
Last season Hollander was with Mont
somery. in the Southern League. play
ing good ball throughout the season.
Carl w. Mays. the Providence pitcher
reported to have hoppeA to the Federal
League, comes to bat with a signed con-
tract to go to Hot Springs with the
Boston Red Sox. Mays pitched clever
ball for Donovan's team last year. and
will be given thorough trial by Bill
Carrigan.
Juts what Rube Marquard will do this
season cannot be learned. The tall
southpaw conferred an hour with Harry
Hampstead. boss of the Giants. yester-
day and admitted after the meeting that
ne had been ordered to report at Mar.
lin, Tex, on March !. rev DAYS ago
he was ordered by Lee Magee. manager
of the Brookfeds. to leave with that
team on February &c. He told Magee
that he would be delighted to do SO.
YESTERDAY he is said to have told Hemp
stead that he did not want to pitch for
any club but the Giants.
Marquard accepted $500 this winter
from the Brookfeds. though having two
Years of~An iron bound contract with
the Giants to run. 1t is thought that
he asked Hampstead to return this
$500 to the Wards. and take 1t out OF
his salary. but neither MarQuard nor
Hampstead will discuss this phase OF
the situation.
Even If he twirls for the Giants this
season. Marauard has ended his popu-
larity in New York. The fans will GER
tainly Jump him the first chance they
get. This backing and filling Of certain
players is certain to come back against
them next summer
John CAMEL. Rochester's successful
manager, may purchase the Newarl