Evening star., 1918-02-21
JOHNSON IS NOT
A H0[D0UT" "-GR|FF
Manager Denies Big Pitcher
Has Refused to Accept
Terms Sent to Him.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

While admitting that Walter johnson
has not yet signed with the Nationals,
Manager Griffith takes strong excep-
big pitcher Is holdout and has refus-
ed to accept the terms in the contract
submitted to him by the local club.
ut is an injustice to johnson to be
classed as holdout," Griffith said to-
day. while it is true he has not yet
signed the contract sent him. 1t is
equally true that he has not refused
to do SO. No player is a holdout until
he has failed to sign by the time for
reporting. A number of my players, in
cluding Johnson, have yet to send in
their documents with signatures ap-
pended, but there is plenty Of time
for them to do so. None Of the players
starts for the south. 1t will be a
month yet before Johnson and the
other regulars are due to report for
spring practice, and if they wish to
take their own time about considering
their contracts that is their privilege.
have communicated with all my play
ers. and have received replies from
nearly all of them. From the nature Of
their communications I feel confident
there will be no gaps in our ranks
when we get ready to go to Augusta -
It will be recalled that johnson
signed with the Chicago Federal League
club early in 1915 for a salary said to
be 100000. The pitcher was advised by
r,r0 y~;c ,hNr,r hn tnd
that the local club had an option on his
services, whereupon Walter repudiated
the Feds and signed three-year con-
tract with Washington. said to call for
$4,000 a year. This agreement lapsed
with the close of last season. and the
new document offered him provides for
a reduction. although the size of the
cut has not been made public.
Another veteran of base ball has
passed from the scene of his former
activities. "Heinie" Wagner, former
shortstop of the Boston Americans, will
not be with the Red Sox this year. ac-
cording to. statement by President
Frazee, who believes that Johnny
Evers will be able to do infield work
as well as coach. and that Wagner's
services will not be needed.
Wagner has been with the Red Sox
and assistant chief of the board {of
strategy for both Carrigan and Barry.
In his palmy days Wagner was as good
shortstop as any manager could wish
for, but of late he has acted in an
advisory capacity only. Wagner prob
ably will try to land a<job as manager
Of some minor league team. With his
experience he should make a good one,
President Weeghman's pennant as
pirations have received another severe
blow in the loss of Shutting Phil'
Douglas. one of the Cubs star pitchers.
who is slowly recovering from an oper-
alton for appendicitis. Douglas has
been advised by his physicians that it
will be impossible for him to pitch
regularly for at least six, months and
that he should lay off altogether this
season to avoid risk Of ending his ca
purchased Grover Alexander he an
nounced the Cubs surely would win
ninety games of ball, with Douglas,
Vaughn and Alexander doing the hurl-
ing. If Douglas is unable to work be-
fore midsummer the Cubs will have to
depend almost entirely on Alec for
right-handed pitching, as Vaughn and
Tyler are southpaws. and the latter
Thus does fate again play into the
hands of John McGraw and his cham
pion Giants.
in raising prices to avoid making
change in pennies, due to the imposi-
tion of the war tax, will be followed
by the American Association this year.
Action to this end will be taken at the
schedule meeting to be held in Milwau-
kee a week from today.
First Baseman Sheely of the Salt
Lake City club of the Pacific Coast
League has been obtained by the Cleve-
land Indians to replace Joe Harris in
case the latters fiat feet fail to bar
him from Army service. Sheely last
season compiled batting average of
.303 in making 227 safeties, including
nineteen homers. He also drove in
ninety-Seven runs.