The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-03-12


Johnson in the opening game of the
season."
Big Jim Shaw has shown better con-
troll this spring than at any time since
he has reported. Shaw was very
much discouraged young athlete late last
summer when it will be recalled he
caught a severe cold in his right arm
and was virtually useless to the club for
month or more, but Jim has now taken
on a new lease of life. He declares that
since he has been practicing here he has
felt absolutely no i'll effects, no more
pains and aches.
I'm be there with bells on when the
old gong sounds" announces the Pitts
burgh lad to his teammates.
| Clyde Milan, who recommended Tod
Sloan ia Grtn for trial has the follow
ing to say about the youngster: II am
not predicting that Sloan will make a
big league pitcher in this, his first trial,
but ! do know this: Sloan pitched such
good ball last summer that the St Louis
Cardinals were after him and made him
an offer. so I quickly got in touch with
Grin telling him that If Sloan was good
enough for a trial with the Cardinals
he ought to be worth a trial with the
Nationals, and not only urged Gnn to
sign him up but advised Sloan to cast
in his fortunes with Washington.
"Of course Sloan may prove to be a
| 'bloomer,' l know little about him other
than he is a big rangy chap, green OF
course, but willing to learn and possess
ing plenty OF stun. l am sure Grin will
give the kid a fair chance-so its right up
to Sloan to make good" was Milan's
characteristic reply when questioned by
the writer.
, There Is a while lot of speculation in
camp as to just what combination Man
ager Grifith will name to start the cham
pionship season.
With six outfelders, three young in
| felders and half dozen new pitchers
in camp all of whom look promising, the
Old Fox is going to have his troubles
when the time comes to tell who's who
and why.
Howard shanks always hits like a fiend
in the spring. 1t is hard to see how Grifr
can keep him off the ball club. On the
! other hand. both Rondeau and Barber
look mighty good.
No young shortstop has reported who
looks At to step into McBride's shoes. but
both Sawyer and Parks or Schwab may
give Ray Morgan a fight for second
base.
It's all gamble at this stage of the
game, and a question of write your own
ticket.
Charlottesville natives who have
watched the progress of the Washington
ball club ever since Griff has been COM
ing here were out in full force Friday to
take peek at First Baseman Joe Judge,
who has been selected to I'LL Chick Gan
| dis shoes.
Gandil has always been a warm favor
lite here, and the native sons still talk
about his long drives and wonderful
| stops, but when Judge appeared and went
through his PAGES the old-timers had to
admit that Grin had picked up a mighty
promising youngster.
The answer to the whole business is
this: Judge will probably lose lot Of
throws at first base that Gandil could
eat up, but Joe being a left-hand thrower
can pull off plays which would be impos-
sible for Gandil. Thus the fielding COM
paFison would put both men on a par.
As for hitting, Judge never was noted
for his long drives, the kind which made
Gandil an idol among Washington fan
dom three years ago. On the other hand,
Judge has a keen eye, can chop the ball
over the infield. and showed to great ad-
vantage In the few games he played with
the Nationals late last season.
The biggest boost for Judge is this
Gandil is nearly 30 years old, Judge
only 81
WILLIAM PEET.