Evening star., 1918-02-25
LAVAN AND SHAW
SIGN WITH GR|FF
Shortstop and Big Pitcher
Both Get in Line-Shanks'
Contract Arrives.
By DENMAN THOMPSON.

By DENMAN THOMPSON.
Johnny Lavan now Is a member Of the
Nationals. At a conference with Clark
Griffith today the former shortstop OF
the st. Louis Browns. who was OBJ
tanned with Bert Shotton by the local
club for Bert Gallia and a cash consid-
Grafton, reached an agreement regard
ing terms for the 1913 season and
Griff's office Lavan hustled for a train
to carry him back to ST. Louis. where
some important surgical work awaits
his attention
Lavan expressed keen satisfaction
over the deal which brought him to
Washington. and said he was glad Of
the opportunity to get away from the
"rough-riding" fans Of the Mound city,
and that he was particularly pleased
at the prospect of working for Man
ager Griffith, whom he greatly admires
and respects.
"I had no trouble reaching an agree
ment with Manager Grifith in regard
to salary" Lavan said on his way to
the station II am more than pleased
with the prospect Of playing in Wash
ington- Whether I will be able, to
finish the base ball season depends
upon whether I am called into service
in the Navy. I have received my COM
mission and have been notified to hold
myself in readiness for call on short
notice, but have absolutely no idea
whether that call will come within a
few days, weeks or months. Unless
notified to report for duty before the
training season opens I will be on
hand at Augusta at the appointed
time. and remain with the team until
such time as my services are required
by Uncle Sam"
Lavan said his slander suit for $780,
900 against President Ball of the
Browns is scheduled to be tried at the
February term Of court in st. Louis.
but that the docket Is so crowded 1t
may not come up until next month. He
denied that he would refuse to play
until 1t is settled, however.
After Lavan's departure Griff took on
Jim Shaw for q verbal bout, the match
being Of only few minutes duration
and resulting in draw. with J. Aloyius
member in good standing Of the Wash
ington ball club for 1918. Shaw's sign
ing was little moro than a. formality,
as the big pitcher never has had any
differences with his boss in regard to
salary. He has been working hard here
all winter and explained that he has
been SO busy he had no time to see the
pilot until today. Shaw has been placed
in class "A OF the draft
the mail this morning. Howard notified
his manager several days ago that the
terms offered him were satisfactory and
that the document would reach him in
due time.
The battery candidates of the local
squad will set a start Of only one week
having designated Sunday. March II. as
the date for the main squad to report at
Augusta, the pitchers and catchers being
'regularg' just one month in which to
prepare for the opening Of the campaign.
Grie Qx3zJnally planned to have his entire
asr1y xet together on the 10th Of the
It's case Of do or die with Fred
Fulton today. The leading aspirant to
the L, heavyTeight crown; being hearded
in twenty-round bout to a. decision
at New Orleans and upon the show
ing he makes with the blond Pitts
burgher will depend the estimate Of
just now undecided as to whether the
Minnesota plasterer Is a worthy candi-
date for the title or a clever boxer
lacking sufncient courage to entitle
him to championship honors
In Moran Fulton meets q scrapper
we'll endowed with those attributes
necessary to test his stoutness Of
heart. Moran is a glutton for pun
ishment and delights to wade into an
opponent. being willing to take two
punches for the chance to land one.
incidentally he carries a terrific
wallop in his right hand. Fulton is
fully aware Of this fact and can be
expected to utilize the ability he pos
sesses to keep out OF its way. Fred
always has exhibited a distinct aver
sion to toeing the mark. and swapping
punches with an opponent, and II is
this fact that promises to make to-
nights bout a tame affair. Fred is
strictly a left-hand jabber He lands
his south mitt with a Jolt, but Moran,
who has for months been working as
boxing Instructor at Camp wadsworth,
9. c., is in splendid condition and is
figuring on assimilating everything
that comes his way and then slipping
over his Mary Ann"
II Fulton fails to polish of Moran,
whom Willard merely toyed with in
Madison Square Garden two years ago,
there will be no loud, insistent demand
from fight fans for Jess to emerge from
his she'll and give Fred a chance Full
ton 10 expected to weigh about 215
pounds and Moran about 1877 when they
enter the ring in the open-air arena Of
the Louisiana Auditorium tonight.
Fulton Is favored in the betting. with
odds of from to to Q fn