Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-21
GROWERS CURVES
START WORKING
Phillies' Star Twirler Gives
Demonstration That He's
in Great Shape
By ROBERT w. MAXWELL

st. PETERSBURG, Fla, March 20
Grover G. Alexander is ready for another
strenuous season, despite the huge salary
which soon will be forced upon him in semi
monthly installments. Big Pete Is in won
derful physical condition. his arm hasn't a
kink In it. and right now he Is in shape to
70 full nine innings or more. Yesterday ne
hurled some of his very best offerings to
the regulars in the daily game and had them
At his mercy His curve is breaking in
mid-season form and his control is excel
lent. Rixey also is in good physical condi-
ton, but he has not yet resorted to many
curves.
Aiexander's playing has made big nit
With Manager Moran and his work SHOWS
that he Is worth every cent OF that sl2'ooo
he captured about a month ago. Alex is
training hard for the coming battles and
has hopes Of beating his record OF last
year. Every one here is hoping the same
thing, as the big pitcher is one OF the most
popular men in the town. He Is quiet, u'f'
assuming. and unless some one points MN
out at the hotel or at the ball ground ne
would be taken for one Of the rockies ne
Is always willing to help the younger t",rl-
ers and has given them valuable adVice'
Alex Introduces Himself
The other night Alex was talking WIN
one of the most recent tourists at Eoge
water Inn and after discussing the war anu
the threatened railroad StIlho tho
baseball was brought up.
"I understand that the Phillies are stop
ping here" said the tourist who haiis IRON,
New York, land l am very. anxious 10 see
this fellow Alexander, who Is getting sucn
an enormous salary. 1t seems shame "
give fellow like that so much money oe-
cause he probably doesn't know what TO 40
with It. 7 expect to see him strutting
around and showing off before the guests
+ like all Of, the big league players as soon
as they get something. They certalhs a'e
peculiar set of persons and 1t Is tunny
how the public takes them SO seriously
Have you seen Alexander YETI?
well" drawled Alexander, IT think you
have the wrong idea about ball players
I won't argue with you. but am member
Of the Philadelphia club and do httie
pitching during the season. MY name IN
Alexander"
The visiting tourist beat a hasty retreat
and hasn't been seen since.
Game Called of
Pat Moran called off the game today and
put the regulars and rockies through TWO
more strenuous workouts. Pat reefs that lne
men will get more out OF the practices tnah
IN game and the hard work was supsIi-
tuted. However, the players are showing
the effects of the daily toll and the hosp'-
tai list is getting larger. Candy pulled up
yesterday with a charley-horse. Bancroft
has a bistered foot, Dugey possesses d ue
fective ankle and Ratscamp, rookie
catcher has a sore arm. Bill Killifer also
Z has lost some Of his pep" But he Is out
every day working as if nothing has nap
pened.
Military drill still continues and the SOL
diers are making headway in the various
formations. Sergeants Cravath ana FOR
tune have studied UP on the manuai Oh arms
and will pull some new stun as soon as the
men are able to march properly.
Killefer wore a -ball-proof" cap
while batting Yesterday. The cap has a
ridge Of cork around the sides and will
deaden the blow II hit on the head by
pitched ball.