Evening star., 1917-04-07
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

u L
Mike Menosky is the latest candidate
for the job of first baseman of the
Washington club, the agile outielder
having been nominated for the position
today by Manager Griffith. Menosky
was given mitt and sent to the ini-
tia1 sack Immediately after the mill
tary drill this morning. and in view of
the fact that he never has played the
sack before acquitted himself well.
81 am going to station Menosky at
first in the practice work to get line
on what his prospects are for develop
ing in that position Manager Griffith
said today. He is a rangy fellow and
fast, and may make an ideal man for
the place. No. have not given up the
idea Of ultimately using Rice at first
He has by no means shown he is unfit
for the place, and he will continue to
practice there. but not for the pres
ent. ! may try other players at first,
too. Ray Morgan can play an accept
able game there, and may shortly get
a chance to show in that position VI
course, If Judge comes through the way
he should-the way / expect him to
there will be no need of looking fur
ther for q man to play the initial sack.
He will start the season there ana al
ternate with Shanks, dependent upon
whether a righthander or lefthander
is opposing US. What player finally
will receive the regular assignment
depends upon what form is shown py
the men l try out there
Menosky welcomes the chance to play
first, although he has had no expert
ence there He is the type of player
who wants to be in the game every
minute. and knows he would have
much more to do at the initial sack
than in the outf1eld.
Walter johnson has sore foot. SO
sore, in fact, that he was excused from
the military drill this morning, ms
workout consisting of a warm-up with
Lefty Clark, the Martinsburg pitcher.
who is doing his spring conditioning
with the local club, and a short batting
practice, while his teammates were be-
ing put through their PAGES by Corp.
Dean
Johnson's trouble is due to what
Trainer Mike Martin terms wart
corn" located on the ball of his right
foot. Martin is treating him for 1t ana
expects to have his foot in good trim
within couple of days, but right now
it gives him considerable pain to wear
his spiked shoes. Manager Griffith said
he would send him to Columbus TINS
evening with his first string men and
work him against Joe Tinkers cluo. as
shape to permit him to go for about
four innings without hurting him any.
Following the game tomorrow Johnson
will be rested up for the opening day
game at Philadelphia Wednesday,
In addition to johnson, Jim Shaw,
who will pitch the last half of the
game. Catchers Ainsmith and Henry
and the seven regulars-Judge; Foster;
Mcbride. Leonard. Smith, Milan and
Rice-will take the train that leaves
at 6:15 this evening for Columbus.
Trainer Martin will go along and prob
ably Eddie Fowler, to look after the
business arrangements, but Manager
Griffith does not expect to make the
trip. in which case Capt. Mcbride will
act as manager.
Griffiths players this morning showed
the effects of their long lay-off from
drilling. when Corp. Dean had more than
the usual amount of trouble in keeping
the players aligned in executing the mill
tary movements. Toward the end of the
hour of work the ranks were maintained
straighter, however. and in a few days
the athletes are expected to reach a stage
of proficiency that will warrant their be-
ing given some new squad movements.
Following the military drill the players
were given more than an hour of work
in preparation for the game this after
noon with the Philadelphia Nationals
Griffith said he intended to use Ayers
Moran announced that Grover Alexander
and Rixey would do the pitching for the
visitors.
Manager Griffith Yesterday received
telegram from President Kalbfieisch
of the Augusta club, inquiring why
Mike Moran had not arrived there to
practice with the South Atlantic League
champions. to whom he has been
turned over, and asking that the player
hQ ch nrt-
stop. who has been awaiting word re-
sarding his new berth, will leave
Washington tomorrow afternoon for
the scene of the Griffmen's spring
make good in class c company, and his
teammates are pulling for him to show
well enough to warrant his being re-
called by Manager Griffith.
Merito Acosta has notified Boss Grit
fifth that he intended to leave Havana
yesterday for Washington. He should
arrive here by Monday. at the latest
1t is not known what condition Acosta
is in,. nor what disposition will be
made OF him. but unless he shows un-
expectedly good form he will be turned
over to some class AA club, in which
company he is a good player.
Refusal of Manager Pat Moran of the
Philadelphia Nationals to play the
the Washington club from picking
nearly $780, A good crowd was on
hand for the. contest. it being estimated
the attendance would have been more
than 1000. Due to heavy rains the day
before. the field was not in the best of
shape and Moran based his refusal to
play on that fact. declaring he would
not run the risk of having his players
injured. Capt. Mcbride. in charge of
the Washington players. was provoked
at the attitude of the Philly mana ger
and twice endeavored to have Moran
change his mind. but with no success.
The Philly players We're not ordered to
refrain from warming up on the
diamond working out for about three
quarters of an hour. 1t seemed the
Phillies were not at all keen about