The Washington herald., 1916-04-26

cast his lot with them.
go when Griff sent out waiver notices
last winter
Providing the New Yorks do not want
Ainsmith 1t is believed that the deal
whereby the catcher will go to the Bos-
ton Braves will be consummated within
the next few days. New York's refusal
to waive means that he will be carried
by the local club this season.
Owing to the rain yesterday, the first
game of the series between the Nationals
and Connie Mack's Athletics was post
poned. but Indications point to clear
weather this afternoon, and the teams
are sure to clash.
Bert Gallia or Joe Boehling will be in
the box for the Grifrmen. while Mack
|, will pitch either NaboFs or Chief Myers,
the last named a promising youngster
obtained from the Carolina League,
which produced Turney Barber.
The end club in the American League
this season will be a great ball team"
declared Connie Mack. the Athletics
manager, when interviewed at the Har-
rington Hotel last night, where the
Athletics are stopping.
II look for one of the greatest races
In the history Of the league and for
anybody TO pick a pennant winner at
, this stage, would be foolish.
, The only team 1 can see that has
no chance to win the flag is the Athletics
but don't get the idea that the Ath-
, letics won't be out there fighting for
: every game. We are going to spring a
, few surprises before the season is over
end incidentally will upset a whole lot
: Of dope"
THAI, the rr,,r Conrio NE,o,x 49,. ,,v,
3 the pennant fight in the American
I League this season, and strangely enough
Clark Grifith agrees with the taciturn
leader of the White Elephants.
:
+, With the Athletics is an old friend,
( Charley Pick who spring trained with
E the Nationals in Charlottesville during
e the spring of 1915. Pick is playing third
base for the Mackmen and putting up
e fine article OF ball.
Griff held Pick until the International
, League season opened last spring when
n he sold him to Jack Dunn in Richmond.
OF all the wildcat stories printed in a
= reputable newspaper the New, York World
slipped over the eraziest. Bozenan Bull
ger is responsible for the following:
Coming from this particular end OF
the circuit, it may sound a little like
I sour grapes, but there Is, nevertheless,
I a feeling throughout the American n
League that Clarke Griffith Is endanger-
ing his chances for the pennant by over
taxing the strength Of Walter johnson.
| Already the Kansas Cyclone has done
more work than the best seasoned pitcher
would be expected to do in midsummer
or the ten games played by the Senators
johnson has pitched four. winning three.
out OF pique of being defeated twice
In succession by the Yanks Griffith has
used johnson twice in one series-a pro-
ceeding almost unheard of except in q
final drive for the pennant.
), IF johnson, pride of the American
League and consequently OF almost as
- much value to the other clubs as to
Washington, can stand UP under the
J, truck-horse labor everything will be fine
and lovely. But II overwork in the
= spring should incapacitate him for the
long summers grind Grifith will have
t many opportunities to regret his folly.
Members Of the New York club. lust
returned from Washington, say that Grif-
hth went after the last game as II the
pennant depended thereon and that John
son pitched out OF his turn. They be-
ueVe that Grin Is making a big mistake
n There are contributing circumstances
TO the Yank state of mind. however, that
may have Influenced their concern over
the Kansas Cyclone. The New York
club has lost just three games out OF
eight, and each of those has been lost
to walter johnson. No other pitcher has
i been able to beat them. But for this
destructive effect of the Cyclone they
would now be leading the league"
As matter of fact Johnson has moi
been overworked, and never will he n,
long as Griffith holds the reins. Walter
had 1our days rest before he entered the
box against the Yankees last Monday
and will be given about the same time
= limit before he works again.
- Ihe truth of the whole matter is thai
the 1anks were lucky to win two game,
out OF the four played here, as the fan,
who witnessed the series will atest.
Griffith VIII not overwork Walter John,
son-you can bet your last cent on that
Jack Dunn, who piloted the Richmonf
. club OF the International League las
season, and who is considered a prett,
tair judge OF a ball player was here YES
terday in conference with Connie Mack
What the conference was about coult
. not be learned, but the writer asket
~ y Dunn in a casual way what he though
= of Joe Judge, the Nationals first basen1an n
Said Dunn I think Judge is going [,
develop into the greatest first baseman
the American League has ever seen. H,
is a grand fielder fast on his feet ant
can hit.
81 see by the papers that Judge ba,
not been hitting much since the sea sor
opend, but don't go wrong on this boy
he will hit, and the whole league will b,
talking about him next fall. Grif
surely picked a great young ball playe
in Judge. / know whereof / speak fo
watched him closely all last summer.
Asked II he thought Judge was bette
first baseman than Chick Gandil JacI
Dunn unhesitatfngly replied Yes
Germany Schaefer. the former National
who 10 pinch hitting for the New Yorl
Yanks and filling a role of comedian L
boot told the writer that Griff wa
foolish to let Gandll get away from him
- II remains to be seen whether Schaefe
or Jack Dunn have the right dope OF
Judge.