The Washington times., 1916-08-13
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

n
cipal individual owner in the Washing
ton ball club, Is not going to sell out
to anybody and he would like this in
formation to go home to Washington.
hoping that this official announcement
from him will stifle the rumor- mongers.
The occasion for this statement from
Griffith Is furnished by a rumor. for
warded to this city, that Griffith would
sell his holdings in the Washington club
70 Connie Mack and that the long. lean
leader would take UP the task of build
Ing a winner In the Capital.
Please say for me that there's .
nothing doing In way Of my selling any
said Manager Griffith. II wish those
who know moro about my business than
do myself would please lay of me.
am in Washington to stay. I'm not
going to sell to anybody for anything.
me ever since We started losing. ex-
when my - team Ioses. Ri 'e%s ean DO dana in
that case is the best possible with what
! have and try to get other players to
Ing. ! am doing the best can with the
men men ! have and I am getting more for
next year.
II have no excuses to offer. II the
fans are disgruntled because the team
hasn't been winning. how about me?
I have felt 1t worse than they have.
Until was leading a bunch of crippies
! thought l had good chance to win
the pennant. at least as good as that
In addition to these rumors from
Washington Of dire changes coming In
the ownership in the club. are Q num-
from many fans. In st. Louis two tele-
grams from leading fans were received
on the Washington bench. They served
TO cheer up the players. even II the
Don't give up the Ship read one
you to the end. Hard luck must come,
but Washington will stay with you be-
cause you have tried"
These kilograms have done much to
cheer up the Old Fox, weighed down
with disappointments since his team be-
gan sliding. Speaking with the man.
that have him selling out his stock N
the ball club. He is girding himself for
. greater fight than ever next season.
The unexpected injury to Judge has
disastrous slide Of the Griffmen into
seventh place. costly as were the in
1uries to Morgan and Williams. When
Judge was unable to play regularly. the
ciaky on the bases.
New players are to be obtained in the
draft. Others have already been pur-
chased as soon as the draft list IL an
nounced. 1t Is certain that a big shake
UP In the Griffmen will be in order be-
fore the 1917 season opens. But for the
remainder OF the campaign the OLD Fox
has. They lack the weight to win out
viii he kept in the Aght to the end.
Once more. 1t may be we'll for the
fans to realize that Clark Griffith Is not
quitting under fre. He expects criti-
cism because he Is the manager. II ne
were not an owner he might well eN-
peot demands for his release. but being
the largest owner OF stock In the club.
he is going to stick until he gets o
winning combination.
The arinmen. sadly shaken by their
defeat Of yesterday. gladly welcomed
today's rest. Many visited neighboring
beaches to enjoy salf water bathing.
Others passed the day Just loafing about
tho hotel.
After battling the worlds champions
to a standstill In their own bailiwick,
the Griffmen exploded In the ninth in
ming and lost their FIRST contest here:
q 10 l. AL tho CNSShSht VI
Harry Harper was wasted by the fire.
works Of that concluding frame. John
son, who had relieved Harper In the
eighth and escaped with his life. faced
Hoblitzeli in the ninth. The first sacker
singled to center. Walker laid down a
sacrifice bunt to Williams Johnson was
late in getting over to the bag and Will
Iiams' peg was none too good. the ball
dropping from Johnson's hand and the
runner being safe.
Then oame the break that settled
Things. Gardner laid down a bunt
toward third base. Foster, instead of
covering the bag with runners on first
and second came in. Johnson fielded
the bunt perfectly and went through
with the play. tossing accurately TO
third without looking up. But the base
was uncovered and the ball rolled into
foul territory, allowing Hobby to tie the
score.
Walker was on third and Gardner on
second when Thomas came up for Leon
ard. johnson wisely passed him, pre-
ferring to take his chances with Carri-
gan. Up came "Chick" Shorten a sub
stitute outfielder for the slow-footed
Red sox manager. Shorten drove what
looked like q hit to center field, a low
fly ball that Milan came close to catch
ing. 30 close did he come that the run
nsrs remained nxed to their bases.
S1a~~ Quickly pexsed to second. forcins