Evening star., 1915-02-09
Was Star of American Asso-
citation TwirIers in the Last
Campaign.
EVERY TEAM IN JOHNSON
CIRCUIT STRONG ON SLAB
Walter johnson Expected to Have
One Of His Best Seasons
This Year.
BY J. ED GRuLo.

Judged on his showing with the Kan
sas City American Association team
last season. Bert Gallia ought to be one
OF Grifith's most serviceable pitchers
in the coming campaign.
Gallia won twenty games and lost
twelve last season. He worked in fifty
one games of ball. thus leading the
league. Gallia's fault during his stay
with the Nationals was that he lacked
control He seems to have acquired
this essential qualification during the
last season, and as result pitched gilt
edged ball.
So far as natural ability is concerned
Manager Griffith and Nick Altrock. who
both were great pitchers in their days.
consider Gallfa as having more stun
than any pitcher on the local staff. not
even barring Walter Johnson. But dur
ing his stay here his lack Of control
and lack of knowledge of the art
proved too great a handicap.
Grif1th believes Gallia will come here
this spring and continue his brilliant
work of last season in the association.
II this prediction comes through the
Nationals pitching staff will indeed be
IN d fair way to class as one of the
strongest in either major league.
Walter Johnson ought to have one
Of his best years in 1915. His failure to
10 the sensational in the last campaign
was Just one of those instances where
:. pitcher has an off season. There was
i.othing wrong with his pitching arm.
In fact, he worked in more games than
any other pitcher and also won more
than any of his rivals, though his win
ming percentage was not as strong as
usual.
Just what was wrong with Johnson's 8
pitching has never been satisfactorily
explained, but the most logical theory
advanced seems TO be the one which
blames IL on an off season
There Is nothing in the rumors that
Johnson showed signs Of going back:
He is but twenty-six years old. Is of
ideal habits and always has been ham
died with the greatest care since he
Joined the local team. 1t is to be hoped
he will get away better this spring
than he did last. when he lost several
games into which he went with a lead
of two OF more runs
There is one other pitcher on the
local staff who ought to shine the
coming season Jim Shaw IL referred
20. There were times last season when
this young man showed himself TO be a
green. but improved greatly as the sea-
son advanced. The winters rest ought
TO do him a lot Of good.
No young pitcher in the league vas
as well thought Of by several of the
umptres as Shaw. Bill Dineen, who in
his day was a great pitcher. fire.
quently went out of his way to say he
thought that in due time Shaw would
be pitcher of high caliber, and Bill
Evans. another good judge. was loud
in his praise Of Shaw.
Umpires are In a good position when
behind the plate to Judge a pitchers
ability, and both Dineen and Evans
are close observers.
Shaw. Bentley and Harper form trio
OF youngsters very apt to be sensationa.
performers the coming season. Bentie,
has filled out lot since last season and
his success is predicted in the corains
t.mpaign.
On form the pitching in the American
League Is going to be stronger thai
ever this year. Despite the fact tha,