Evening star., 1917-02-27
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

BY DENMAN THOMPSON.
Clark Griffith strongly advocates drop
ping Nationals as the name for the
Washington base ball club and adopting
some title more appropriate and less
misleading. "Griffmen" he looks upon
with particular disfavor. He contends
the team belongs to Washington, not to
him. and that its sobriquet should
identify it as representative Of the city
rather than connect it with some in
dividual
In expressing dissatisfaction with the
term Nationals" Griffith believes he
echoes the sentiments of a majority OF
the patrons of the club in Washington.
He recognizes the name is appropriate In
so far as this city is the National Capt.
tai, and the first ball team Washington
ever produced that earned fame on the
diamond was known as the Nationals
that of 1879, which was nosed out OF
the pennant In the old American Asso-
citation by the Albany club-but thinks
it Is so misleading and confusing be
Philadelphia Nationals. ST. Louis Ma
tionals, Chicago Nationals and other
teams in the older major league, that
it's use is inadvisable.
ter If the local team were referred to
simply as the 'Washingtons, Griffith
said today. THAT Identifies the club
with no chance of a mistake. Gr1T-
men implies that the team is owned by
one man and is his exclusive property
which it is not. The team belongs to
the city. in that 1t is a Washington In
stitution and represents Washington in
the American League.
Senators is much moro appropri-
ate name than Nationals 1t is one
that means something and easily iden-
titles 1t. The local club still is known
and referred to by the newspapers and
fans of the middle and far west as
Senator's 1t is true the old Senator's
usually finished in last place or near it.
and the name came to be looked upon
as sort of hoodoo, and if 1t is not ac-
cepta BILE to the fans for that reason
should not be revived. but it does ap-
pear to me that Nationals should be
abolished and some name less confus-
ing be adopted"
Manager Griffith today received a let
ter from Trainer Mike Martin advising
him that everything is in readiness
for the arrival at Augusta Thursday
of the advance squad Of the Washing
ton team Martin says the clubhouse
is adequate for the needs of the players
and that the grounds. although not in
the best of shape at present. are being
worked upon daily and should be in
|
ers get there
Another communicable today was a
telegram from Ed Charity. The young
catcher is visiting relatives at New
London, Conn, and informs his boss he
will come to Washington in time to
leave with the other battery candidates
tomorrow afternoon. instead of pro-
ceeding to Augusta direct from his
intended. Griff said he expected Bert
Gallia to reach Washington some time
today, but did not look for any of the
other members of the first squad to
arrive before tomorrow morning.
Elmer Smith, who. it was suspected.
was the one player Griffith recently
referred to as not having signed his
1917 contract. intends to come to
Washington this week to the
Inauguration and report to Clark Crit
fifth for duty. according to a dispatch
from Sandusky, Ohio, his home. The
outfielder who came to the local club
from the Cleveland Indians. was one
of Dave Fultz's hold d-outs. but only for
a time. He says he saw which way
the wind would blow quicker than
some of his associates and put his
signature on a contract. He has kept
himself in good condition this winter
by cutting ice and playing basket ball
at Milan. That he will bat better and
play rings around his fielding of 1916
l6 is Smiths prediction.
Ray Caldwell. the reca1citrant pitcher
of the New York Americans, who failed
to report to the club for it's trip to the
training camp at Macon. Ga, and from
word since last fall. now is reported to
be in the Canal Zone.
According to I. X. Hess. secretary to
Representative J. f. Russell of Ohio,
who recently returned with the con-
gressman from a trip to Panama, a
pitcher who has been working for the
Colon team in the games there this
winter is none other than Caldwell. if
talk general among the fans on the
isthmus is to be. believed. Hess did not
get an opportunity to see the Colon
team play. but says patrons of the
games there declare the twirler in
question is a first-elass pitcher who in
build and action greatly resembles the
tall boxman of the Yankees.
Hopes that Philadelphia fans repose
In Connie Macks team this year have
been boosted greatly by the announce
ment that Joe Bush, its star pitcher,
and Amos Strunk. the hard-hitting.
fleet outfielder. have sent their signed
these players have been classed as hold
outs. The terms at which they signed
were not made public.
George Whitted. the Durham. n. c.,
boy who cavorts in the garden for the
Philadelphia Nationals, has refused
an offer of 1000 a year and has given
it out that unless he is rendered a con-
tract calling for $500 he will not re-
port for training at st. Petersburg,
Fla, next week. If President Baker
does not recede from his position and
Whitted means what he says Whitted
will remain idle this summer. Baker
has announced that Whitted's demand
will not be considered.
The contemplated trip of the Wash
ington base ball club to Panama in
1918 to do its spring training, plans for
which were announced exclusively in
The Star yesterday. Will become real
ity If Manager Griffith can close nego-
tiations he now is conducting with
interested persons residing in the