The Washington herald., 1917-03-08
Shaw's Preseason Form
Would Indicate Great Year
He Is Ready Now to Go a Full
Game at Top Speed.
By JOHN A. DUGAN,

Augusta, Ca. March latter fve days
of hard training that has been cut in
upon by drizzling rains, James Alysius
Shaw, the big right-hander of the Ma
tionals. appears to be ready to start the
season. Jimmy stole a march on the
other hurlers here by working out at the
Y. NJ. Z. A. In the Capital, under the
watchful eyes of Trainer Mike Martin.
and the progress that he has made to
date marks him as one of Griff's depend
able moundsmen this season.
Shaw at present Is in the best cond-
ton that he has ever been in at any of
the training camps the Nationals have
had since he Joined the club and barring
accidents. 1t is a good prediction now
that he will be counted among Griffith's
regular slabmen when the gong sounds.
Trainer Martin tonight was highly
pleased with the progress Shaw has made
to date and in speaking Of his chances
said: Now, remember that this Shaw is
a great pitcher. as he came through for
us in grand style in 1915. / am conf
dent that he will show Teacher more
than he Is expecting, as he is in the best
condition that I can ever remember of
him reporting in. Jimmy has worked
hard this spring and OF course you know
has all the makings Of winning mounds
man and take II from me. I will be sur
prised II he Is not one of the best pitch
ers in the league this season.
Mickey Is not over-enthusiastic about
Shaw. The big Pittsburgh smoke has
been working like Trojan since arriv-
ing here and he Is now ready to buzz
them through.
With the addition to the squad OF the
Milan Brothers from Lindon. Tenn. and
Sammy Rice from Chicago, the Nationals
have II players now in camp along with
Nick Alfrnck aud Trainer Martin
The new blood in the ranks seemed to
put a great deal of the old ginger into
the workouts today. Rice was excused
from the morning practice but reported
looking in the best of trim in the after
noon. Sammy has gained is pounds in
weight during the winter and from the
way he hit the old pill this afternoon. he
had not lost any OF his ability. Rice is
out to lead the way again for Griffith's
hitters this season as he poled more than
one to the fence in the evening practice.
Clyde and Horace Milan were out for
the first workouts this morning but
Trainer Martin insisted on them taking
things slowly. During the batting work
in the morning. Claude Thomas. the
southpaw from Des Moines and Doc
Ayres, were given the call for the mound
work. while Charlie Humphreys, Eddie
Flaherty and Charlie Jameson were sent
L
practice this morning was greeted with
plenty OF sunshine but in the afternoon
old Sol'' and the hanging clouds were
having quite n battle. Although but very
little rain fell the NATIVE sons" predict
that "Griffith's party" which left Wash
ington tonight will be greeted with heavy
downpours tomorrow.
Nine players and the Old Fox are still
due to report The boys are looking for
Crane, Foster. Judge. Morgan and Moran
to make up Griffith's squad that will re-
port from Washington at one O'Clock to-
morrow afternoon. while Trainer Martin
claims that Leonard. Menoskey. Sawyer
and Smith will report direct from their
homes.
Although Walter johnson was carded
to report with the squad tomorrow
Milan vouChes the word that he does no.
expect to see Walter until the 18th OF
the month. as his baby is not completely
well and in a letter to the Tennessee
flyer Walter mentioned reporting at this
date.
Because of the Cuban revolution
Cube ACosta is not looked for until
shortly before We leave here for Memphis
hut the Old Fox is sure to have most of
his squad in camp Albion by sun-down
tomorrow.
or the twenty-seven players who
will no doubt be on hand tomorrow,
only one OF the number has ever
visited this "Dixie city before Menos.
key. who Griff obtained from Joe Can
tillon's Minneapolis Club. trained here
during the spring of 1914 with the Pitts
burgh Federals At that time Menoskey
did not show enough to warrant him be-
ing carried by the Fed Smokes" and he
was cut loose.
Rebel Oaks recommended him to Can
tillon and under the Minneapolis Manage
ment he was tossed about quite a little
until the veteran Scout Jack Ryan took
slant at him. Griff had the call on
any of Cantillon's players. and because
of Menoskey's ability to sting the ball.
Ryan recommended the purchase.
HOT SPRINGS RESULTS.