The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-05-26
Shanks Poor Batting and Con-
nolly's Weakness Against
Southpaws Causes odd
Fox to Make Change.
GOSSIP OF NATIONALS

outer patches before the bell rings next
October
Howard Shanks appears to be OFF color
in his batting this season. and George
town Tommy Connolly looks good only
against right-handers.
When southpaws are in the points for
rival clubs, Grifr could 20 farther and
do worse than substitute Walter John
son, who. by the way. is not poor
fielder despite his voca ton.
Against Pug Cavet today Johnson banged
out two cle/n singles. both of them vi
cious, hard drives. Walter did not have
a chance in the field. but Grif is willing
TO make little bet that the big fellow
will handle nine chances out OF ten. For
three innings this afternoon he played left
field. Neither of his hits figured in Wash
ington's scoring. but one of these fine
days he may be the man in "A pinch.
Umpire Eldridge. who is subbnC for
Mullaney. pulled two boneheaded plays
this afternoon that made him look ridicu-
lous in the eyes of the Detroit fans.
In Washington's half of the first inning
Connolly beat out an infield tap and was
declared out when he should have been
safe. In the second inning George Nc
Bride was chased from the park because
he exercised his captains privilege and
Eldridge has a whole lot to learn before
he can be classed as a big league indicator
handler.
Clyde Milan has at last started to hit
the ball. Miian's stick work is going to
help whole lot from now on. Gandil is
long overdue. but he is meeting the ball
nicely, and but for sensational fielding
this afternoon would have had a couple
of safe blows
Weather predictions for tomorrow are
not a bit cheerful. as the local forecaster
announces rain. but if there is a chancee
10 stasee the third game of the series,
Jim Shaw will be in the box for the Ma
tionals. while either Boland Or Dubuc
will oppose HIM
1t looked Ike bad baseball for Ty Cobb
to attempt TO steal home with one down
and the bases crowded in the final half
Of the ninth today. Cobbs run would
not have won the ball game by a jugful.
and as it turned out. the Georgian look
ed foolish as Young's fly to Foster re-
suited in double play.
Just how good a hitter is GEORGETOWN
Tommy Connolly. at present holding
down left field for the Nationals. will
not be known until he has faced rival
pitching for the second time.
At present no hurler In the American
League has been able to fool the ex-
collesian. but in every instance Con-
nolly's hits have been made off fast
balls. 1t being figured that he might
be weak against speed.
Connolly has whole lot to learn before
he can be classed as a real sure enough
slugger but he looks to have the natu-
raj ability, and that is what really
counts.
In Cleveland last Sunday, GUY Morton
made the fatal mistake of trying to buzz
fast one past ConnoIly's nose. 4
screaming triple resulted. also a run
After that 1t was noticeable from the
press box. that Morton refused to serve
up any good balls when the youngster
came to bat. Connolly's triple in the
first inning was his only blow of the
day.
Of~confidence Connolly has plenty. He
is Just bit over anxious and must
necessarily pass through a sta se of fac
ing mixed pitching. learning by expert
ence which balls to go after and which
to let alone.
That Connolly is going to make good
is already assured. He's willing work
er. anxious to learn and Washington
fans are bound to like him.
When the attention was called recently
to his low average, Clyde Milan said:
IF you will look up my record the past
few years you will find that never start
hitting until the warm weather sets in
am perhaps batting a little poorer
right now than last season at this time
but / will soon get started. and | con-
fidently expect to he right up among the
leaders about the latter part Of July"
What Milan says about his hitting il
borne out by facts. The little Tennessee
Flyer gave an indication of what might
be expected later over in Cleveland.
With Milan hitting. as he sure can hit,
prospects loom up quite little brighter.
This young Morton. of the Cleveland
Indians. who has been twirlng great
ball so far, looks like greatly improved
slabman over last year
Coming from Cleveland TO Detroit via
boat last Sunday hight. Griff was asked
what he thought of Morton. and replied: |
He looks like good pitcher. but
wouldn't trade Jim Shaw for several like
him.
THE next time Morton pitches against
us am going to oppose him with Shaw
and II you want to make little wager
I'll bet YOU a good cigar Shaw not only
outpitches Morton. but outgames him."
the Old Fox added.
Manager Griffith has entered an en-
phatic denial to the effect that he plans
a wholesale shake-up Of his ball club.
as one scribe from Washington predicted
last week in a st. Louis dispatch.
when a club is going badly the news |
papermen usually get busy and make
suggestions, but take 1t from me there
Will be no general shake-up in the per- |
sonnet of my Club" announced the Old
Fox.
Doc Ayers is waxing bit peevish these !
DAVIS because the Old Fox does not start |
him in a regular game. Ayers claims |
to be in better share than ever |
before In his life. and wants to show |
what he can do.
The Virginia doctor need not worry. |
for ubIe-headers will be coming thick !
and fast later in the season and he i
will get his fiji of work.
One of the best overland pitchers ten |
wears ago was Bill Dineen, at present an |
umpire.
Grin states that the only youngster who /
has broken In since Dineen's time pos |
sessing that same overland delivery u
Jim shaw.
Take a pitcher with an overland ming |
who can make the ball rise as It shoots
past the batter's Knees. and you've
got a man that has something out OF the
ordinary. That's what Jim Shaw's got, !
and that's what Bill Dineen had when |
he was in his prime
whether this IL q boost for Shaw or
- A.