Evening star., 1915-02-28
Mertz & Mertz Co., Inc, 906 F St.
LITER JOHNSON NOT
TO HURRY WORK
THIS SPRING
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(Continued from First Page)
Jimmy Austin. who recently made back
somersault from the Feds to the Browns.
It seems that Jim and Eddie Foster used
to play together on the New York team
some years ago when Foster was UP for
trial. Jimmy got the Idea that he
ought to be as well taken care OF as
Foster, and at the end OF the last season
he went to Owner Hedges and demanded
a big increase. He wanted salary
equal to that Foster was getting. he told
Hedges, and Hedges offered to make his
concession provided Austin could pro-
duce three base ball men who were un-
biased. who would testify that they con,
sidered Austin Fosters equal as third
baseman This peeved Austin and he
jumped to the Feds, but he evidently
gave the matter due consideration and
now has Jumped back to the Browns.
There has been nothing lacking In
the Nationals defensive strength IN
recent years. Good pitching and held-
ing together with a display OF intel
enabled the team to hold respect
able position in the last three cam,
paigns. Not once during that period
has the team been as strong with the
bat as a team with pennant aspira-
tions should be. and in this connec-
ton it might be said that its chances
in the coming campaign would pc
materially improved If Manager Grif-
fifth could pick from his squad OF re,
cruits one or two exceptionally sood
batters to take the place of one OF
two of the weak hitters on the team.
This is particularly necessary in the
outfield, where the average ball cIuo
carries it's heaviest artillery Inc
presence of even one consistent hil-
ter makes remarkable difference IN
a ball club. Y player like Eddie COL
Inns, for instance, who hits Tar over
the 800 mark every season. is apt TO
turn a bail team from second divi.
sion crew into a pennant factor. IT
makes a lot of difference to have
hitter in the batting order VINO az
least once every three times up is
averaging hit Of some kind.
the Chicago White Sox salary list by
reason of the acquisition OF Eddie
Collins, who is reputed to draw cool
$4,000 per. is not as great as is gen
orally believed. for. according 70
rumors which are going the rounds.
Clarence Rowland is not high sal
aried manager This being his first
attempt to manage in major league,
he was willing to accept very nom
inal salary for the chance 70 MAKE
GOOD. He Is said to draw $4,000 Tor
the first season, but IL he makes good
Comiskey will. of course. give him
substantial boost.
RoWland's predecessor drew the same
amount last season which Eddie toi. .i.
Iins is supposed to be getting this
YEAR. so that the entire increase
amounts only to the amount ROWLAND
is drawing.
Bv the first of next week all of the
ma ior lea que clubs will have their entire
squads in their respective training camps.
Many of them will be at work this week,
but TIE Nationals, Detroit and one or Two
others will not get down to real ousi-
ness until about March or g.
In the National League none OF tne
clubs is allowed to start training until
the first of the month. but this IS not
proving a hardship, because that viii
give them fully six weeks to get the play
era in shape Many of the American
I,eaeue clubs are not taking advantage OF
the absence of any restrictions as to when
they can go south, and are waiting
week or so after the time prescribed by
the National League before starting their
training.
Though Manager Griffith is suffering
from a severe cold, he plans to be at
the station this morning to see his charges
Off. The squad will be in charge OF
Coach Jack Ryan. who also Will 90 some
of the coaching of the young pitchers:
Nick Altrock, who is to have charge OF
the Young southpaws, will remain at An
uapolis, where he is coaching the Middies'
slabmen, for another week or so. when
he will report at Charlottesville
Though it has been hinted several
times that Judge Lands would render
his decision on certain day, as yet
there has been nothing Forthcoming
from the Chicago federal judge In the
Feds suit gainst organized base ball.
More than a month ago Judge Lands
took the matter under Amusement and
it was the general impression that he
would arrive at a decision in couple
a1 @ Ila
was in session in New York the story
was sent out from Chicago that the
decision would be handed down the
following week. but 1t did not come to
pass. Last week there was another
report that the ruling by judge Ian
dis was about to be put on tan, but
again the fans were disappointed.
had a couple OF trials with the Ma
had couple OF trials with the Ma
the trip to Charlottesville with the
Nationals. He is not under contract to
the local club. but as he is anxious 10
catch on with some minor league team
he has asked Manager Griffith for per-
mission to make the trip to the tram
ing camp to get himself in condition
Stevens will be allowed to pitch to the
batters during the preparatory perioo.
Dan Moeller has not looked in such
J
this spring, and he believes he is about
to have the best year of his career
The Nationals right fielder is Few
pounds overweight. but looks tit in
every other respect.
II will be ready after ten days OF
practice" said Moe1ler, .'and look to
have my best year here, because have
put in a good winter and have been
keeping in shape. will get right down
to business when start in at Char
and when the bell taps I
hope to be at my best.
II think Manager Griffith did not
make any mistake in selecting Char
because while we have en-
some rough weather there of
late years We nevertheless have always
toed the scratch in mighty good condi.
ton at the opening of the season and
that is about all that can be asked Of
training camp"
9hA Natinnala. catching departmen