The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-05-19
FIGHTING GRIFFS
HAVE new SLOGAN
"On to First Division" Is
Heard Today.
BROWNIES IN BAD SLUMP
Nationals Expect Clean Sweep and
May Come Home in Luck.
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.


ST. LOUIS, May 19.-"on to the
nrst division" is the slogan OF the
fighting Grifnen. II things go wrong
with the Cleveland Indians, a clean
sweep here will put the Griffs among
the frst four teams in the race,
which already gives indications of
becoming a hummer inside Of the next
three weeks.
Today the Grifs are close behind
the Brownies. Fielder Jones' lads are
playing about as bad ball as the Grii-
men were two weeks ago, and the
chances are good for four consecu-
tive wins here for the invaders. This
will put the Gri1men in nth place,
only a step or two behind the Indians,
even II the latter have success in
their battles with Connie Mack's
crew.
Makes No Predictions
81 don't want to make any predic-
tions." said Manager Griffith this
morning, "but it looks to me as IL we
might be in the first division by the
time we see Washington again. OF
course, that would hurt my feelings
n whole lot"
Judging by their work yesterday,
the Brownies are in the middle Of a
bad slump, the team Is hitting and
fielding poorly, and there is a notice
able lack OF up-and-going, just as
there was with the Griffmen until the
Old Fox shook them up in Cleveland,
All of this augurs well for the in.
vaders. who are sure to make q tight
for every victory, hoping to climb
into the first division inside OF the
coming week.
Harper Stin In Condition.
Harry Harper is still in condition for
bis best work Since that opening vic
tory against the Yankees in Washing
ton he has worked less than two innings
In the cold weather at Cleveland he
lacked control and was yanlZed after
walking two batsmen. Yesterday his
control was not 80 bad. though It was
rot good, but he lacked much OF his ac-
customed speed and curves Had he
remained on the slab, the Griffs very
likely would have lost. for the Brownies
showed no fear Of the Hackensack junk
man
Il thought that the hot weather would
have brought him around" explained
Manager Griffith. but II didn't With
the score even 1 refused TO take any
chances and sent in Dumont. who
pitched good ball I shall keep Harper
he Is ready. You see he lost all the
training season because Of his lame
arm, and the results are appearing.
Mcbride Begins Working.
George Mcbride has begun working
out at short and. II really needed. could
step into the lineup at any time. The
rail on his wounded finger has been
lifted out by Mayor Mike Martin end
new one is growing. Mcbride is still
unable to grip a bat with the necessary
strength. and so will languish on the
bench until he Is. Meanwhile Crane is
playing beautiful ball in the field.
though weaker than Mcbride with
the stick.
Eddie Plank yesterday started his
second game Of the year. On April
IS he defeated the White Sox. II was
a cold drizzly day and his arm stiff
fened after the contest to such an
extent that he was compelled to rest
until yesterday. He was far from
the Plank of old against the Griff-
men and it may be another month
before he is able TO show at his best.
Plank Of Little Use.
Plank is the Oldest pitcher in ac-
tive service in the big leagues, being
more than forty years old. 1t is
but natural that he must stop some
time and that time is approaching
rapidly. One thing is certain, he
will be Of little use to Fielder Jones
unless he can pitch oftener than once
a month.
Morgan Toasted on PIank's slow
ball. meeting It safely three times in
q row. The chunky second baseman
iS beginning TO hit the ball with all
his expected vigor and the old fox is
chuckling, for he believes that with
Morgan hitting the ball hard, the
lower end OF his batting order won't
be q drag on the teams offensive
play.
Morgan Has Feast.
The Griffmen yesterday experienced
their hrst summer weather. The
Thermometer was Up around the so
mark and reminded the boys OF their
Augusta training camp. That they
liked the change from the chill
winds of Cleveland and Detroit was
seen by their dash and life on the
held.
Manager Griffith spent the evening
studying his books and preparing his
speech to be delivered at Blooming
ton, Ill, next Tuesday. Librarian
Craft was at his elbow, picking out
the various authorities.