The Washington herald., 1917-02-28
FLAHERTY IS TURNED
over To DES MONIES
Big Right-Hand Hurler Cut Loose by
Griff in Thomas Deal.

On the very eve of the scheduled de-
parture of the Nationals advance squad
for the Augusta, Ca, training camp,
the Old Fox made his first move in the
wedding down OF the club.
Eddie FIaherty. the big right-handed
twirler whom Grifith carried last season,
has been turned over to the Des Moines
club, Of the Western League. thereby
completing the deal that brought Claude
Thomas TO the Nationals,
Flaherty Is a product of Washington
sandlots, having his first trial as a pitch
er under Johnny Irwin, who managed
the Holy Name Club of the Catholic
Church League. Last spring, as first
string pitcher of the Dean Academy nine.
Of Franklin. Mass, he jumped into prom
inence by his sensational work upon the
| slab, the result OF which was that Grif-
| fifth signed the youngster up.
During his hike through the Middle
West last summer. Jack Ryan, the local
clubs ivory hunter, uncovered Claude
Thomas. Ryan, in engineering the deal
under Griffiths orders, agreed to turn
over to the Des Moines club in addition
| TO cash. a young pitcher this spring. As
Flaherty is in, need of more seasoning. the
Old Fox decided to send MIN to the West
ern League club, but not without a string
attached to him.
The local boy was not given an oppor-
tunity to work in a regular league con-
test last season. but upon several occa-
sions he was sent to the mound in eNhi-
= bition games and creditably acquitted
himself. When Griffith signed the
youngster to a contract this season he
gave him the choice of either learning &
the game from the players bench, or OF
going to some fast minor league club,
where he would have opportunity of gain
! ing the experience he needs to become
big league timber.
| While Flaherty was looking forward to
the Old Fox developing him with the
Washington club. he nevertheless is sat-
Isfied with the switch, as he believes he
will in a very short time again be with
the Nationals.
Whether or not there happens to be
tang in the air or whether there
is snow or rain falling, spring is Of
ficially here. The calendar may say
otherwise, but the baseball public
is convinced that gentle spring is with
us once more. as the vanguard OF the
Nationals start South for the Augusta
training camp today.
With three or four major league
clubs already in camp. doing light
work for the coming campaign,
Clark Grifith will send his pitchers
and catchers to the Dixie city today.
The Old Fox is anxious to have the
pitchers in pretty good shape by the
time the entire squad gathers in Au-
gusta on March Z.
Eight players with a band OF war
correspondents and photographers will
board the 'Grifith Special" over the
Atlantic Coast Line today at o'clock
bound for the Georgia city.
Catcher John Henry will be in
charge OF the squad which will leave
here. Catchers Ainsmith and Charity
are expected to leave with the party,
while the rest of the squad will be
made up Of pitchers Claude Thomas,
Jimmy Shaw, Maurice Craft. Harry
Harper and Charlie Jameson.
Doc Ayers will meet the squad at
Petersburg. Va. while the veteran
coach, Nick Altrock, George Dumont,
James Berry and Charlie Humphreys
will go direct from their homes.
Clark Griffith received word from
Walter johnson yesterday that his
baby was once more in good health
and that he would be sure to be on
hand when the regulars hiked for the
Dixie city next Wednesday.