Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-27
GR|FF GETS OPTIMISTIC
OVER WORK OF SHANKS
Thinks Placing of That Player at
Short Makes Team Much
Stronger.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.
ecial Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
BOSTON, June 27.-Although the aver
age Washington fan. judging from the Ma
tionals' recent record in the matter Of VIC
tories. may see no reason for it. Manager
Griffith is waxing rather enthusiastic over
the prospects of his team. The principal
reason for it is the splendid showing of
Howard Shanks at short. Griff believes
the Monacan at last has found his right
position in the lineup, and declares all his
team now needs is a right-handed hitter
for his outfield to work with Milan and
Rice.
Il regret that did not place shanks at
short at the beginning OF the season."
Griff said today. 'tIf had we would not
be in seventh place now. I have had
Shanks practicing there for about year,
acquisition Of Crane would have had him
start the season in that position. He has
a lot to learn about the fine points Of
playing short, of course. but he is an apt
pupil and by the end Of the season ex-
pect him to be one Of the best shortstops
in the league. OF course. I would like to
have a 300 hitter for the place, but where
are they?
Some of the best shortstops the
game ever produced were originally
Long and George Davis all got their
start in the garden, and there never
We're three better men in the position
than these. Shanks will hit well
is good for an average of about $50,
and if he maintains this mark 1 will
be satisfied.
with Foster at third, shanks at
first 1 will have an infield that will
stack with any of them. Foster has
been unable to hit his stride thus far,
but the rest he is getting while his
just what he needs to straighten him
out. Morgan's charley horse has slow
ed him UP considerably, but his legs are
improving every day, and In couple OF
weeks he should be as nimble as ever.
Judge has demonstrated that he is an
exceedingly capable first baseman and
has the additional advantage of being a
very fast man on the bases. Hereafter
I am going to let him stay in the line
up regardless of whether left-handed
pitcher.i is working against us. The ex-
perience and added confidence this will
give him should tend to overcome the
weakness he has shown against some of
the better class of southpaw pitchers in
the league. Should a hit or long fly be
needed in the latter part of game in
which Judge is being fooled by a south
paw, Charity always will be available
to bat for him and finish out the contest
at first.
Il intend to add another pitcher or
two to the staff, il they can be found,
particularly a promising left-hander to
help out Harper, but on the whole am
Johnson. Du Mont. Gallia, Shaw, Harper
and Ayers.
I'm Henry, Ainsmith and Charity
have one of the best rounded catching
stats in the league. and that brings US
to the outfield situation. Milan and
Rice hit southpaw pitching about as
well as they do right-handers. What
need now is a consistent right-hand
hitter for the other outfield position,
and it is to fill this place that am go
n hIlE
this trip. Heavy hitting outfielders can
be found. but ability to hit is not the
only thing desired OF an outflelder. If
he is not a real ball player in addition;
If he cannot field and throw and show
some base-running ability he has no
place on a major league team.
Several players have been tipped off
to me, and ! am going to look them
over before we return to Washington.
l may pick up two three for trial.
With one outfielder of the Duffy Lewis
type to work with Rice and Milan we
would have just enough additional
strength to cop some of those games
we have been barely beaten in. If my
team had won half OF the twenty games
it has lost by one run thus far it now
would be In the race, and ! figure that
the addition Of an outfielder' who can
be counted upon to produce a hit once
in a while when it is needed will give
us just enough additional strength to
convert the Washington team from
loser to 4 winner. Not much is needed
to tip the balance in our favor The
best teams in the league have had a
lot Of trouble nosing us out by one run,
and that being the case, it is apparent
that not much more in the way of ad-
ditional Strengthening is required to
make us factors in the race. Yes,
what we need is one outfielder who can
hit, and ] am going to get him if he
can be found"