The Washington herald., 1917-12-23
Trade Of Two Brownies by
Phil Ball to Nationals
Considered Good One
In Mound City.

Shortstop Johnny Lavan and Out
fielder Bert Shotten have become
members of Clark Griffith's Nationals
in a trade with the Browns, not be-
cause the Browns had an idea that
they were putting over something on
the Nationals, but because these play
ers, on the trade block, drew what
President Ball, Manager Jones and
Business Manager Quinn knew the
best proposition, from Griffith.
While other clubs were bidding for
members of the Browns, Griffith pre-
scented what Ball, Jones and Quinn be-
Ieved was the most valuable ex-
change to the Browns.
And Griffith receives two athletes
who should strengthen the Nationals.
They were not traded as has beens"
or players who are on the verge Of
slipping to the minors.
Shotton and Lavan became peeved
last September when a local paper
printed a sensational story which had
Magnate Ball featured in a laying
down" charge against certain members
Of the Browns. While no names were
mentioned. Shotton and Lavan, to-
together with Derrill Pratt took excep-
ton to the story which later resulted
Lavan for alleged Islander.
This case now is going through the
preliminary legal course.
In Lavan Griffith secured a ball
player who graduated from the col
lege fields. A midget. about five feet
seven inches, Iavan is not sWatter
of the smuggling type. His batting aV-
erage goes around 30. although last
year he slumped at the plate. At the
same time, while Lavan is not Vici-
Gus batter he is one of the cleverest
helders that ever stepped between sec
ond and third base.
Working with Derrill Pratt. Lavan
gained the reputation of being one of
the greatest infelders that ever served
as the middle man on a double play.
The trick with Layan was to catch
the throw from Pratt on the run and
with full speed, spike the bag and
make the throw over to Sisler at first
base.
His development was rapid and at
the same time ragged. Joining the
Browns in the summer of 1913, Lavan
Immediately found opposition with
George Stovall as manager. There
appeared to be friction around the
Browns with the leading. parts played
by Stovall as manager and Branch
Hickey as scout and business man
aver. Layan was recommended by
Hickey.
Stovall. as manager. refused to give
Lavan the chance to succeed Bobby
Wallace at shortstOp. AS the boss
StovalI won the argument and Lavan
was transferred over to the Philadel-
phia Athletics, where he received part
of the world series share when Con-
ME Mack won the championship.
However. the deal which sent Lavan
to Mack had an added clause. and II
insisted that Lavan would return to
the Browns.
At the end of the 1918 season Sto-
vail was ousted as the Browns man.
ager. This gave Lavan an opening
and he developed SO rapidly that he
pushed Wallace OF the club.
The story with Bert Shotton is Diff
ferent. He Joined the Browns in the
spring of 1863, coming from Steuben-
Vile, Ohio but was not ripe for the
majors. He was sent to Omaha in
the Western League and then shift
ed over to Wheeling, Cleveland and
Columbus.
Shotton returned in 1911 and i'm
mediately became a -ular. AS Lead
on batter Shotton is without a SUPER
Tor. A keen eye Bert can grade 'en
to a quarter of an inch as they pass
the plate. In 1916 Shotton drew more
walks than any other player in the
league, and finished close to the 800
mark in the swat department.
The Shotton of 1917, though, was
not the Shotton OF 1916. Down South
in the training camp at Palestine.
Tex. Bert contracted a mean case OF
tOnsilitis, and he was handicapped
throughout the playing. He tried to
catch flies in left field. he tried to
swat the fast one, and he tried to
pick the one which missed the strike
zone, but Bert, ill. did not have his
usual pep with the result that he fell
OF so per cent.
In their new places though I.avan
and Shotton should become valuable
members for the Nationals.