The Washington herald., 1916-06-26
Grif Claims Long Road Trip
Cause of Poor Showing
of Nationals.
GOSSIP OF THE GRIFFMEN
BY WILLIAM PEET.

New York, June 25.-Tain today caused
the management of the Long Branch
team to call OF the exhibition game
scheduled with the Grinmen at Long
Branch. Secretary Fowler being notified
as the club was at the station ready to
entrain.
No tears were shed by the Old Fox at
this action for he believes the rest of
one day will help rather than set back
his team.
Griffith is loud in his announcement of
the schedule makers who wished this
long road trip on his ball club and next
year is going to try and put through a
ruling calling for shorter trips
My team has been on the road a
month-the players are travel-weary. sick
Of hotel life and robbed of a chance to
get morning practice. The club fought it.
those two games. I'm glad a rainy Sum-
day interviewed" declared the Washing
ton manager.
Griffith cannot understand why his out
field has suddenly gone to pieces-why
Rondeau and Jameson are not hitting
and a whole lot of other things, and he
Is doing considerable thinking. which
means a shake-up very soon unless the
players take a brace.
Turney Barber would have been used
In right field during the New York series
but the youngster has not had a bat in
his hands for a month and could hardly
do himself or the club justice. As soon
as the team reaches the Capital next
Wednesday, Barber will be given the nec-
essary batting practice and put TO work.
II not before.
Sam Rice can hit and is fast on his
feet. He might be tried in the outheld
where hitting more than anything else
Is needed GriT said last night that he
would more than likely give Rice a
chance to show what he could do in one
Of the outer pastures.
I believe I have solved the outheld
problem for next season." stated the Old
Fox, for I am told that Horace Milan
who belongs to US and who is at present
with the Newark club. of the Interna-
tIonal League, is developing into a great
rlayer. I am only sorry that young
Milan Is not ready for fast company now,
| could use him all right"
James \. Price, president Of the Newark
club, called At the hotel today for
long conference with Griff and told the
writer that Horace Milan was the Ty
COBB of the International League, adding
that next season the Nationals would
show player who would create a big
sensation.
Joe Engel the Washington boy who
last summer was sent to Minneapolis, un-
eXpectedly called upon his old teammates
here tonight.
Engel was so wild that CantilIon re-
leased him and the youngster was pick
ed up by the Boston Red Sox. where
ne STAYED for 4 week. finally being sent
to Buffalo, a Red Sox farm.
Just couldn't locate the plate-that
was all, but l am hoping a change Of
scenery will help me. for 1 have plenty
OF stun. also better curve ball than
when Grifhth had me-" stated EngeI.
Bert Gallia is slated to oppose the New
York Yankees on the Polo Grounds to-
morrow and will be opposed BY Bob
Shawkey. This game is bound to be a
tough one, for Shawkey had rounded to
form and only last Wednesday pitched
4 two-hit game against the Boston Red
SoS when it will be remembered George
Foster was forced to hang up a no-hit.
no-run exhibition to beat. him.
Shawkey pitched two innings of the
second game here yesterday and famed
four Of the Nationals in that period.
showing how good he is going, which
means that the GriTmen must get a few
of the lucky breaks If a victory is to
be turned in.
The fact that the Washington club has
dropped down into the second division as
the result Of two doublelbarreled defeats
At the hands of the New Yorks is not
worrying Griffith a whole lot He feels
confident that just as soon as his young
men reach home and can start morning
practice things will be different, and
points out that a short winning streak
will put the club right back where he