The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-04-25
No Chance for Yankees
To Get Griff's Pitchers
Donovan After Young South
paw, but ''Old Fox" Will
Keep Staff Intact. .
OTHER SPORTING GOSSIP
BY WILLIAM PEET.

view april 81 NOT a Cndhct
in the world for New York or any
other ball club to get any of the
pitchers i have on my staff at pres,
ent" is the way Griffith disposes OF
the rumor which has gained sircula-
ton to the effect that Bill Donovan
,, hoped to buy one of Washington'a
young slabmen.
Donovan needs husky southpaw
and would be only too glad to take
either Bentley or Harper off Griffs
hands, but the Old Fox declares these
men are not for sale at any price.
A wonderful one-hand stop by Pipp
the Yank's first baseman in the fftB
inning probably changed the entire
deau was on first base and nobody out
when Morgan slashed a wicked
grounder towards first base which
looked god for a double. Pipp speared
the ball with his bare hand and al
though unable to force Rondeau at
second. snuffed out Morgan. Had this
hit gone through there is no telling
what would have happened.
Tho Nationals so over to Newark.
N. J.. tomorrow. where they will
tackle the Newark international
League club in an exhibition game
Joe Engel is slated to pitch for the
Griffmen.
Umpire Evans told the writer today
that he had heard nothing as yet from
President Ban johnson regarding the
charges filed by Griff against Pitcher
Shore, who in Washington last Satur-
day was accused of using the emery
ball. an illegal delivery, while pitch.
ing for the Boston Red Sox.
New York baseball writer's who
have all spring tried to sec the re-
juvenated Yankees as first division
club, because tho new club owners
were royal good fellows. and who
have been printing column after
column Of boosting junk have done
Manager Bill Donovan grievous
wrong.
The best that can be said for the
Yanks is that they are an improve
ment over last year. Just little bit
stronger. but still miles away from
a first division berth
Gotham fans are the most gul1ibls
until they scent colored person
lurking near the we'll known wood
pile. then they are bitter as gall.
The fact that Donovan's club won
three out Of four from the Athletics
means nothing at this stage of the
race, the Mackmen have not hit their
true stride. When they do the DON
ovanites will find things vastly Diff
ferent.
with all this boosting from the New
York press the fans had a right to
expect a better showing from the
Yankees in the opening game here
against Washington last Thursday.
yet the Nationals outclassed them
from the start-made them look like
bum ball club by comparison.
Col Rupert and Capt. T. Huston.
the new club owners. are thorough
business men. and while the club may
not make a whole lot Of money this
run in a business like manner, some
thing that cannot be said Of the
former management
Take for instance. the opening game
here Thursday. There were less than 100
free passes given out. Last season 1t is
said that nearly 1000 persons witnessed
the opening game free of charge. as
politicians and other influential citizens
were provided for by the old manage
ment.
Eddie Ainsmith's recent trouble with
a motorman In Washington, his sensa-
tionaI police court trial and thirty days
fine il about the only absorbing topic
among the Washington players on the
present trip.
The ball players who are familiar with
the facts feel that Ainsmith was pei
fectiy justified in all he did. They point
out the fact that the catcher Il q sober.
well-behaved citizen, both on and on the
bail field. that he docs not 60 around
with . chip on his shoulder looking for
night. and that during his six years
with the Washington club he has never
had trouble with anybody.
y y
Ban johnson. head Of the American
League, has made rather an unjust
ruling In his recent COMMANDS to an
the umplres abou; calling balks.
Il was no. until the day before the
season opened that club owners veeo
coxr,xuYD OK RAGS rwo.