The Washington herald., 1915-02-14
BY WILLIAM PEET.

When the Griffmen start spring train
ing in Charlottesville next month, the
interest of Washington fandom will be
centered on the new players, and at
once will arise the question: will one
of the regulars be crowded of the team?''
II will also be interesting to note just
how many of the new men show signs
OF developing into big league timber.
also how the flock of youngsters this
spring compares with the recruits Grin
shipped to training camp last year
a dozen or more youngsters were tried
ont last March and of this number only
one lasted the season with the Nationals
Jim Shaw cannot be placed in this class
for he had demonstrated in the early fall
Of 1913 that he was pitcher of marked
ability.
WaIIy Smith. the Atlanta fence buster.
was the sole survivor of the 1914 flock of
recruits, and, as Wally did not set
the league on fire last summer, he is
no longer with the club.
OF the recruits who leave for the
training camp in two weeks, two at least
are expected to demonstrate their worth
and show just cause why they should
he measured for a Washington uniform.
These men are Henri RDndeau, the out
fielder obtained from the Minneapolis
club OF the American Association, in
exchange for CashiOn Meusel, and
others. and Booth Hopper. the spitball
hurler from st. Paul of that same league
Douglas Nef, the former Virginia
coIlegian. and Charley Pick. will also
be watched closely and there is. of
course. a chance that either one will
land a regular birth. The others are
for the most part raw recruits with
nothing but a recommendation from some
former big Lacquer to back them up.
i,,i
well known to the fans of the Capital
10 bear repeating. He makes his play
ers work hard. feeds them well. and
gives them plenty of sleep. Charlottes-
willie affords all these opportunities for
the reason that when a ball players
work is over for the day there is little
left for him to do except go to bed.
The town is locked tight after 1880
o'clock. when the moving picture
houses close.
In order to get a good line on all
Of his pitchers and also for the purpose
OF giving his youngsters plenty of op-
portunity to gain control. Manager
Griffith has, as usual. booked a long
string Of exhibition games TO precede
the opening of the 1915 season
With good weather the exhibition
games should draw almost enough
money at the gate to pay training camp
expenses.
Last spring the weather in Char
f.,ttesvile was just one snowstorm
after another and the team derived lit
tic benefit other than gynnasiu eNer-
else Fortunately the weather was
warmer and snowstorms were elimi-
mated when the club returned home.
and the Nationals were able to get in
about as good shape as any ball club
fa the league for the opening of the
-~ason. 80 ..-.
'r another column is printed box
-. .. . Of a ball game PLAY ed in Chicago
B.. rNS5 between the Old White Stockings
AVID the New York Giants.
This relic of olden times is the prop
.rty Of Tom Brown. Of Washington. the
former National Lacquer. and until six
years ago a minor league umpire.
shown on this score card is picture
Of Fred Pfeffer. than whom, according
10 Clark Griffith and others, no better
second baseman ever drew breath.
In this game. until the ninth inning,
the score was 4 to l in favor Of Pop
Anson's White Stockings. With the bases
full in the ninth Pfeffer caught hold of
one Of Mickey Welch's fast ones and
drove the ball over the fence for home
run.
Pfeffer used this score card as an ad-
vcrtisin- medium for after he quit the
game he went into the cigar business
and Fred Pfeffer Home Run" cigars
were the popular brand out in Chicago.
Old-time fans will enjoy giving this