The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-02-22
Another Recruit Added
To the Nationals Roster
Leonard Schwab, Cincinnati
Semi-pro., Is Signed by
Manager Griffith.
OTHER SPORTING GOSSIP
By WILLIAM PEET.

Leonard Schwab. a Cincinnati semi
pro ball player, was yesterday signed
by Manager Grifith for a trial this
spring. schwsb plays second base and
shortstop, weighs 100 pounds and is
feet inches tall.
Playing with the Shamrocks, a crack
semi-pro aggregation. last summer.
Schwab batted somethink like ABS,
showed amazing speed on the bases
and attracted a whole lot of attention,
but this is not why Griff signed the
young man. Listen to what the Old
Fox has to say:
Tn 1911 while I was manager or
the Cincinnati Reds, young Schwab,
who is a brother of Garry Herrmsn's
ground keeper, attracted my attention.
He looked as II some day he might
develop into a real big Lacquer.
Schwab worked out with the players
during morning practice and was am
bilious. 1 told him that when he
grew older IL he ever decided to try
his luck in professional ranks l would
give him a chance
"A short time ago l received a let
ter from Schwab in which he said that
he would like to get chance with
the Nationals, and 1 am making good
my promise"
From Cincinnati comes the report
that Schwab not only played with a
crack "a jack semi-pro club last sum-
mer, but was easily the star of the
league, and competent judges have
gone to bat with the statement
that the kid stands an excellent
chance 20 make good with a fast
minor league club. where he will be
sent II he fails to impress Grin with
big league ability.
According to Home-run Baker. the only
thing that can keep him from hitting
over go for thelYanks Is luck, says the
New York Evening World. He thinks he
will hit better for New York than he
did for Philadelphia, because he has a
new ambition-wants to lead the league
and help win another pennant.
ITO begin with, l want to tell you that
this talk about my leg being weak is all
tommyrot." he said. 81 was never in
better physical shape, and the fact that
l went through pretty busy season
with a club in SIN all independent league
last year, hitting close to 400, proves it"
Il always wanted TO play in New
York" the famous home-run hitter con-
tinued, land for that reason I think
will take on new life in a new uniform
This is chance for me to get on another
club that Is building. and II is quite a
satisfaction to start with one and sc
right through to a championship. I don't
say that the Yanks will win a pennant
this year. but with the material they
have on hand they ought to come pretty
close"
It was rather odd that the day prior t.
Eddie Collins trip to Palmyra as this
guest of Russell Blackburne, to lecture
before RusseIl's old Sunday school ella SIS
.has pT,r OH
that he had been released to Toronto, o
the International League.
There will be meeting Of the Nationa
Commission this month to straighten ou
some of the tangIes caused by the peace
agreement. One Of these concerns Jimmy
Johnston, the outielder, who was one
with the Chicago Cubs and who played
with a Pacific Coast League team las
season.
Johnston last fall signed a contract Il
play with the Newark Federals. Late
the player met President Ebbets, o
Brooklyn. and accepted the terms of tbs
Flstbush Squire. Then peace was de
clared. Ebbets, it is claimed. bought tht
Oakland, Cal. clubs claim in the playel
and gave Harry Sinclair 81 800 which in
cluded 1900 advanced to Johnston ant
some expenses the Federals had in sign
ing the player.
Johnston's contract with Ebbets call
for $500 per year and contains the ten
day clause, while his Federal Leagu
contract calls for $1,000 and the ten-da.
clause is eliminated. The player insist
that the Federal League contract and no
the one he signed with Ebbets be livet
up to, and he is supported by Presiden
Fultz, Of the Players Fraternity.
Commenting on the foregoing Bill,
wesrt, of the Philadelphia Telegraph
says:
II Jimmy Johnston can catch hard-hi
balls and slug the horsehide with tn
same facility. not to say alacrity, tina
he signs contracts he will prove a sta
with the Brooklyn Dodgers.