The Washington herald., 1916-05-23
STANDING of THE CLUBS.
GRIFF DENIES ABSURD RUMOR
THAT WALTER JOHNSON is TO
BE SOLD TO CLEVELAND CLUB

Clark Griffith, manager of the Wash
ington club, nearly laughed himself
into a ft yesterday, when his atten-
tion was called to a newspaper article
penned by a Cleveland scribe inti-
mating that the Nationls might sell
Walter johnson to the Indians.
For Heavens sake-where do these
absurd rumors come from-who dopes
out this stuff? I have never talked
trade or sale with any club owner
in either league regarding Walter
ohnson.
There is absolutely no chance in
the world for Washington to lose
Johnson. As for the Capital being a
poor baseball town and drawing small
crowds, l will say that I am perfect
ly satisfied with Washington. and the
treatment accorded me by the fans
here. l consider Washington a great
baseball city and am going to give
them the best ball club l can get to-
gether. The fans of the Capital are
entitled to the best my ball club can
give them, and I think you will agree
with me that we are putting up
good article of ball"
That's what Grifr had to say last
night when questioned about the re-
port that Cleveland might buy Walter
Johnson.
with a manager the caliber of Clark
Griffith, Washington fans certainly
should stick by him and give him their
support.
The Nationals are playing winning
ball these days. They have demon
strated that they are just as good as
any club in the American League, and
are certainly entitled to the support
of every fan.
Yesterdays victory over the Chicago
White Sox, and the rout of the Cleve
land Indians by the Athletics. jumped
the Nationals into first place once
more, with New York, the third club.
more than four games in the rear.
1t is rather anew sensation for the
GrIffmen to be leading the pennant
fight at this stage of the race, and
local fans are enjoying the sensation.
The Chicago White Sox have no bust
ness in last place and are bound to climb
higher just as soon as they once get
started, but II the start Is not made soon
Rowland's bunch will wake up about
July with the toughest kind Of a
proposition on its hands, and a rocky
road to travel.
The Sox have played good ball all
not win.
Jack Ness. the White Sox first base
man obtained from the Pacific Coast
League. got his first touch of high life
yesterday. Ness Is a big chap and takes
a healthy cut at the ball, but he pulled
a bad play in the third inning yester-
day which gave the Nationals a tally.
with Milan on third base. Rondeau
smashed to Terry, who slammed the bali
to Ness at the same moment Milan
elected to dash for the plate. Instead of
setting the ball away as quickly as pos
sible and slamming home to turn back
Milan, Ness tagged Rondeau on the path
and thereby lost the few seconds needed
to turn back tally at the plate
For today's game providing rain does
not interfere, either Joe Boehling or
George Dumont will be in the box for
the Nationals Faber or Scott will be
selected by Manager Rowland.
The man who threw the pop bottle
from the upper tier at Umpire Chill. last
Saturday. he's apologized in letter to the
writer. and the little arbiter when in
formed was perfectly willing to accept
the apology.
sender is published in full and follows:
Washington, D. c., May q. 1915
William Peet The Herald:
Sr-with respect TO the attached clipping. I wish
through you not only to apologize to Umpire Chill,