The Washington herald., 1916-08-20
Inhelder Will Be Here Early
This Week-Elmer Smith
Makes His Debut.
OTHER SPORTING GOSSIP

Only half Of Gririth's reinforcemeuts
from the Cleveland club arrived yester-
day, Elmer Smith, the outhelder, and he
was promptly put TO work Joe Leonard
the infelder, included with Smith for
Moeller and Boehling in the latest trade,
bought a ticket for Chicago instead OF
the Capital.
According TO rumors. Mr.. Leonard
balked at Joining the Washington club
because the Cleveland Indians still. have
the pennAnt bee buzzing merrily in every
bonnet, and naturally one prefers TO
stick with a winner.
This. according to Griffith, is all
wrong. The Old Fox is authority for the
statement that Leonard will be here carly
this week, possibly in time to take part
In Tuesdays game. The Old Fox added:
4 received a wire from Leonard last
night. He said he would report when
ever ! wanted him. and advised me tnst
he mad gone TO his home in Chicago. I
promptly telegrs phed him 10 come east
a once.
Il understand that Leonard was sore
because Cleveland did not play him rcgU-
iarly when he Joined the club two weeks
ago, and probably figured that he would
warm the bench in Washington. but 1
have assured him that he will be pls yed
In the infield as soon as he reports, and
kept there as long ss he delivers the
goods, so that ! feel sure that he will be
here either tomorrow or Tuesday
George Sisler. the Browns star hrst-
baseman. is suffering from a snrs tned
ankle. and only played four innings ycs-
terday. Sislcr is the young man who
some or those games accumulated by
Fielder Jones during the recent winning
streak.
The Browns yesterday did not look one
bit stronger than they have on an or
the two previous visits to the Capital.
probably becau use their pitching was
lamentably weak
II is easy to see how this club with
alright pitching can win ball games. for
there is plenty Of speed on the team and
enough hitting strength to score runs.
but with this must 20 good pitching,
which was not in evidence Yesterday.
Elmer Smith yesterday failed TO shine
with the stick and looked d bit wobbIy
while playing the sun field but Just as
soon as he gets his bearings and can
adjust himself TO his new surroundings,
he is sure TO deport himself crcditably.
According to the baseball expert on the
Philadelphia Evening Ledger, the Cleve-
land Indians got all the best OF the trade
which gave Washington, Smith and
Leonard, for Boehling and Mocilcr.
Listen TO this:
For the present at least, Cleveland
got the better OF the baseball deal in
which Roy Moeller and Joe Boehhng. Of
Washington, went TO the Indians in -
straight trade for Outfielder Smith and
( lnfielder Leonard Should Leonard i'm
prove with Washington during the next
year as he has since he has been with
the Indians. then Washington may claim
the deal was an even break.
But Cleveland is hot after a pennsnt
at present, and is doing more to
, strengthen the team for the current sea
son than for the future. This is nstu-s',
as the Cleveland fans never have had
an American League flag. in spite Of
their wonderful teams OF the past
Cleveland is g great ball town when
The club is up in the race. consequence
Manager Fohl is doing all in his power
to see that the club does not so back
any in comparison to the other teams
in the circuit Fohl expects MoelIer to
help him some. but Is depending more
On Boehling to win games in the box
than he is on his new outfielder to
boost the offensive strength
George Mcbride is slowing .up con-
siderably consequently Clark Grif-
nth - looking around for a man
eventually 10 replace him al short
+ stop. OF course. Leonard is not
ripe for the job yet. but he may he
by the time Mcbride is deemed unht
TO continue to be a regular"
Whether the Nationals reaIIy got
stunS or not remains 20 be seen.
Both Lconard and Smith are left
, hand hitters. and as Smith did not
grace the Cleveland ouJhcId when
southpaws worked the ;ip-oT is that
| he is weak against such twirlIrE
/ Leonard IS an unknown quantity.
, II" VIII have to win his spurs. but
from all accounts he is a Tne pros
poet and sure To make Eood
] Joe BoehlinE can pitch fuc baIl
when he wants TO. He will probably
win lot OF games for the Clevs-
! land Indians before hc quits. End
/ Grin really lost vaIusbIe asset. un-
less Thomas and YtnGlinE. who will
he seen her" later. can show ~ sd-
vantage.
Danny MoeIlcr is g-cst Rase-rur-
ner and a fair fielder but e. porr
/ hitter He Is not p HounEstcr. and.
therefore, hardly fits in with Crit
fths scheme TO build up new.
young ball club
As the days are growing shorter
the mana cement has wisely decided
to start the remaining games OF tho
/ season at $50 O'Clock instead OF (
o'clock as formerly. This plan win
go into effect tomorrow. SATURDAY.
game will start at . O'Clock
Joe Judge will be hack or FIRST base
tomorrow, according TO tho old Fox
and If Leonard reports. tho newcomer
will play third and Howard sharks
placed on the bench.
The Red SoN have beer winning ball
games by close margins because they are
able TO take advantage OF every oppor-
tunity presented to them. II Carrisan's
combination does not break the pennant
appears TO be certain for them. dcsrite
the two setbacks from the White SoN
Ray Caldwell. the Yankee pitcher, has
hecn suspended for the I,ama. .nder OF tn.
season. His twO-weelI suspension. which
started in st. Louis. has Just ended He
failed to report and Manager Donovan
announced that Caldwell would draw no
more pay thie year Donovan refuses
to trade or sell the tall telegrapher He
intends TO punish him a plenty for stay
Ing away from the straight and narrow
path
Frank RUpponJhsI jr.. Of ST. Louis. rep