The Washington herald., 1917-04-02
Rain Halts Sunday
Game with Cincinnati
Eight Athletes Make Up the
Pitching Staff of the
Nationals.
BY JOHN A. DUGAN.

Cincinnati. Ohio. April 1.-The Queen
City baseball fans were disappointed
today, when one OF these regular
spring rains forced the calling on of
the Reds-National game scheduled this
afternoon.
Walter Johnson, the smoke-balI king
had been slated to oppose ''Pet~"
Toney, the pride OF the Redlanders,
pitching staff. and fully 10000 Of these
Queen City fans would have no doubt
turned out to witness the contest.
johnson Is the most disappointed of
any of the fans and players here as
the Old Fox had given him permis-
sion TO jump back to the Capital City
tonight. but since this game could not
be played today, King Walter is
forced to await until the Gang"
leaves tomorrow night as he will work
against the Red Legs tomorrow.
The Griffmen will pull stakes here
tomorrow Immediately after the con-
test and are due to arrive in Wash
ington at 1 o'clock. Each player with
the squad is awaiting anxiously for
the long jump to the Capital City, as
thls transforming, Of one or two
night stands, does not meet with the
favor of the athletes.
The players today were all talking of
the big cut which the Old Fox made in
his squad yesterday. Just what Grif
intends to do for good left-hand pitching
Is not known as Harper is still among
the doubtful and It remains to be seen
whether little Charlie Jameson can once
again develop his one-time renowned
speed. Humphreys and Thomas both
showed great deal Of stun in the train
Ing camp and exhibition games, but
neither came up to the expectations OF
the Old Fox so he shipped them to Joe
Cantillon's Minneapolis club for more
seasoning.
Humphrey Triple Too Light.
Humphreys is a trifle too light for the
pace that is required in the big show.
while Thomas has had trouble with his
left wing all spring and has not been
able TO do himself justice although he
performed in great shape on one o.
two ccasions In the case OF the ship
ping OF Young Milan. Griff explains tina.
he desires to see Horace played
regularly. he believes this youngster
will some day develop into ma jor
league material IL given plenty Of work.
Grin is OF the opinion that Carl Sawyer
has the makings Of real big Lacquer as
the comedian can perform in the field
and on the bases in a creditable manner.
Because OF his weakness with the sticl:
the Old Fox placed him with Minnea polls
and IL he can overcome this weakness he
will be one of the greatest young ball
pla yers the game has ever seen, as he is
a star performer in every other line.
Should Sawyer fail to come through
as a real ball player with the Millers,
Grifr intends to recall him and place him
once more on the Nationals stan as
running mate for Uncle Nick Altrock, as
the little southpaw is chuck full of COM
edy stunts and may make a great mate
for the famous German comedian.
Eight pitchers now make up the stan
of the Nationals, six right-handers and
two southpaws. Harper and Jameson
are the side-wheelers. while johnson,
Shaw. Craft, GaIlia. Ayers and Du Mont
are the right-handers. In an interview
today Grirf claimed that he believed that
good right-hand pitching would place
any club in the American League well up
in the race
The Old Fox gives as his reason that
only the real good left-handers are get
ting by in the Johnson circuit, and
cls inns that II Harper and Jameson
come up to expectations that he is con-
f1dent that the Nationals will he well for
tified as far has having one Of the best
twirling STATS in either OF the big leagues.
George Du Mont has been having trouble
with his right wing all spring, but the
Old Fox announced today that Du Mont
was now ready to take his regular turn
with the other boxmen. and that he ex
pected him to be one of his dependable
hurlers this season.
The Old Fox is attempting to arrange
some kind OF a trade deal with the Gin
cinnau club for the purpose OF obtaining
Mike Mitchell. and today was in a long
and lengthy meeting with Garry Herr
mann. the president of the local club.
After the meeting the Old Fox stated
that they were only having a friendly
chat, but the Leak claims that Griff
is on the trail OF the heet-footed Red Leg
The rockies all have wonderful
arms in the spring. And when the
season opens they can throw clear
over the grandstand