The Washington times., 1917-04-19
JOHNSON UNLIKELY
TOHURL TOMORROW
Griff Afraid to Take Chance on
Star With Only Two
Days Rest.
DU MONT OR SHAW SLATED
Old Fox Satisfied With Outlook.
Team Needs Services OF
Harper.
DU MONT OR SHAW SLATED
By LOUIS A. DoUGHER.

By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.
NEW YORK, April 19.-Unless all
signs fail, Walter Johnson will not
open the Washington campaign Of
1917 In the Capital. George Du Mont
or Jim Shaw is to have that honor.
And all this because Of q chilly day
in the metropolis.
Manager GriftIth's intention was to
have johnson start the series In
Philadelphia, New York, and Wash
ington, but postponement Of Mondays
game here has upset these plans
johnson, to pitch tomorrow In wash
ingtfon, would have to work with
but two days rest, and this 10 not
suitable to the Old Fox.
johnson is the pitching mainstay
of the Grifrmen. He has not been
worked very hard this spring, and the
Old Fox does not intend to risk hurt
ing him at this time, especially when
SO many other pitchers are available.
The campaign has O long way to go,
IL must be- remembered, and while
many Capital fans may be disappoint-
ed at not seeing the Kansas Howitzer
on the mound tomorrow. they VIII
have many other opportunities later
TO witness his brilliant exhibitions
Grifnth IL Satisfied.
About to return to Washington to
open the 1917 season at Georgia ave-
nue., Manager griffith is satisfied with
the outlook. He says that Connie
Mack has q greatly improved team
one that will always ne dangerous
because Of its hitting, and that the
Yankees are quite as formidable as
last year.
the Athletics" says the OLD Fox ano
T,,IIv as good as the Yankees. The
wise baseball writers have been PICK
ing the Yankees as contenders, too
and SO that puts my team right up
into the running.
.sronnorrow we open at home, and
the fans Of Washington Will see
fast, Intelligent bunch Of players,
every one of whom is trying his best
TO win ball games.
Reserves Are Stronger
e So much is being said everywhere to-
sday Of reserves that 1t il IN keeping
with the times to discuss those Of the
'Grinmen. When Mcbride was taken
sick. Crane relieved him and played
good ball in a difficult position. II
MORGAN is used anywhere in that In
feld, he will hold his own. The team
Is much better OF this year for extra
men than 1t was In 1916, and there may
come a time when this will have great
effect upon the final standing.
Though the pitching stan cracked un-
der the strain in Philadelphia, It is not
a weak stan, rather on the other hand
one Of the best in the league. The lone
weakness Is its lack Of capable south
paws. Harry Harper. in condition. viii
rectify this condition Of affairs, for
team does not need as many southpaws
as Fielder Jones carries around with
him.
Have Won Two Games.
The Griffmen have won two games out
of FIVE played since starting on the
long trail that ends in triumph or sad
ness next October. Against two strong
teams. they have played good ball in
every way. Even when their pitchers
were being slaughtered by the Mack
men. the Washington batsmen were
whaling the Philadelphia hurler. driv-
ing him from the box.
Tonight the Griffs leave for Washing
AOIls OpGIlnb AIlCAT IAHN 6CIlCo "lll lAc
Mackmen there tomorrow. Four games
are scheduled for the Capital, and then
II will be on to Boston for the Griffs.
four more games being scheduled
in the Hub. Washington fans, there
fore. will have but four games to see
until the team returns from the Hub
April 90 Nine more contests and the
team will leave for Cleveland, where its
first Western swing begins this year.
Mcbride Back on Job.
Mcbride was back on his Job yes
terday. having recovered from his
bout with the Wild fIet mignon.
% Crane was expected to play until the
last minute, when the Old Fox switch
ed.
Elmer Smith came close to dropping
the ball into the right field bleachers
Twice Gilhooley backed UP to the
fences for his drives. Mcbride made
High do the same thing in the eighth.
Today both ball teams will show
their friends what excellent soldiers
they are, a twenty-five-rninute drill
being scheduled to take place before
the game starts.
Many OF the players were guests of
the Morosco Theater management last
night Now they are humming bits
from Canary Cottage" It's great to
be young-and an athlete.