The Washington times., 1917-04-13
GRIFFMEN SHOWING
STRENGTH AT BAT
Old Fox Appears to Have
Strongest Club Since Com
Ing to Washington.
MCBRIDE HAMMERING BALL
Competition Has Improved Vet
teran Shortstop-Judge
Comes Through.
MCBRIDE HAMMERING BALL
By LOUIS A. DoUGHER.

PHILADELPHIA, April 13-Though
the Grirmen have yet to face a south
paw. it is possible to say without
much doubt that Manager Griffith has
a far better hitting club this spring
than he has ever had since coming to
Washington. Just how 1t compares
with the other clubs OF the league, 1t
is impossible to state until they have
been met, but the Mackmen, who are
supposed to have been greatly
strengthened do not begin to class
with the Washington club.
Competition by Sam Crane hae
worked wonders with George Mcbride.
The genial captain looks like a mil
lion dollars in the two games played
TO date. He is covering all kinds of
ground and his hitting compares IA
Vorably with that of any OF the others.
Joe Judge, who is yet to become
real regular, has looked as good as
~Stuffy', McInnIs. which is saying
quite bit. Judge is holding his own
IN the big show.
what Future May Have.
Just what the future may have in
store for the Grtfmen, of course, can
not be foretold at this time. Two
kdIIlCb W uOl AIldhC . Sd4hPoA6u oA1
so IL is impossible to go into details
concerning the Griffmen. But this
much may be said, without fear of
contradiction. they are faster and
harder offensive players than they
were a year ago.
What do you think OF the team
asked Grin last night, after lighting
his cigar. 49,
'why, they look all right, but what
do you think about them?" was the
instant reply.
Grin Likes His Team.
81 like the looks of my team" re-
piled the Old Fox. AT last, think,
have gathered some hitters. Give me
some men who can play the hit-and-
run game and I'll show Washington
fans some real baseball this season
1t won't always be the sacrifice play
whenever a man reaches first with no.
bodysout-
81 don't know what this lineup will
do AGAINST lefthanders, but that Is yet
10 come Even then, can switch
around several players and use only
three southpaw batsmen against a
southpAw pitcher, and so I don't think
need worry yet
mo. I'm making no claims for what
is yet ahead Of US, especially after but
two games, but keep your eyes on my
ball club. Wen yet show them all a
few things"
Worrying About Harper.
Down at Augusta, Ga. Manager Grif-
fifth expressed himself as satisfied with
the looks Of his team and hoped only
that Harry Harper would round to and
be able to take his turn on the rubber.
Now the Old Fox Is worrying about
Harper. He Is not sure in his own mind
that the tall southpaw win be able to
deliver the goods this year.
IF had Harper with me now. we'd
ride through the Yankees next week."
was what Grif said last night See
what they've done with Ruth and Leon
ard-not a darned thing. And that's
about as much as they'd do against
johnson, Harper, Gallia, and Jameson.
Il wish Harper could pitch right now.
for ] could use him I'm not at all GER
tain that he'll be Of much good to me
this season. though he thinks he will be
ready later on. He'll have to- show me.
though, for it sometimes takes a long
time to get ones arm back again"
Rice Begins to Hit.
Sam Rice has begun to hit All
spring he has been backward. Yester-
day he laced out two pretty bingles to
center field in oldtime style, strong
blows carrying over the pitchers head
to a spot behind second base With
Rice in his batting stride. the Griffmen
are certain TO have timely punches.
Eddie Foster, too. showed all his old
fashioned place-hitting. pulling Ping
Bodie half mile to chase his twobag-
ger in the sixth inning after the ''ba-
mana merchant" had played over to-
ward center for him.
McBride's two clouts were solid
drives. one to left and one TO center
There was no doubt about them. Maybe
that's why Grin was so happy last
night