The Washington herald., 1918-02-10

would round out the. Nationals as
Grin Is always on the alert to grasp-
the opportunity to improve the local
club. but he has his own ideas about
these things and Is Of the ISIS Hob
kins" order in that He wants what
he wants when he wants it." 1t Is
practically these words which the Old
Fox used yesterday in stating that he
was out to pull a deal or so on TINS
trip to New York.
II will be remembered that Grin
hiked out to the Chicago conference
with a great many ideas of improving
his club in his bonnet. and it Is be-
lieved by critics throughout the Am
eTican League that the Old Fox OBJ
tained the best OF the Gallia-Shotton-
I.avan deal This was not the only
deal that the Old Fox was working
upon while in the Windy City as ne
admitted having dickered with some
managers on one or two more trades
or purchases, but that he was scared
on because of the gold mineS that
neutrality-suspicious. and conn
pany placed on the new purchase
price horizon of baseball
Local fandom realizes that the Ma
Manager Griffith can never equal fig
,lres which are now dazzling players.
, fans and moguls of the national pas
time. but when it comes to pulling the
David Harum'' stuff-Grin generally
obtains the biggest slice of the pie.
The Old Fox has pulled so many deals
during his history in the game in
which he has obtained the best end
that most of the magnates and pilots
are now a tri1e Ieary to enter into
ny negotiations with him. OF course
Grff has been stung. but when it is
considered thoroughly the amount OF
money with which Griffith has had to
--Crk since coming to Washington he
ranks far out in front in the trade
zeal department"
Looking over the second call on
craft Iine-ups of the present pen
.-.at contendin- teams in the
'ohr-on circuit. it can easily be
s-en that the Nationals need but
Wy little boosting up TO place
u--~SI IN the running for the old
Gs--. This is Just the way the Old
I-ox secs it. His statement that he
T.r"aas business on this New YORK
trip follow: Il am out to put the
-NlLlDDdlS III lDE ulA AOA NAAN PNh
r-snt this season. ! have one or
two deals in mind vhich will not
only makes US coatenders, but it
would be hard for any team in the
league to stop US. l am going to
New York to improve the Nationals
and l am sure that l will make
one or two deals before returning
that will place us in the race
When questioned in reference to
the financial end of deals in view
he openly admitted that he could
and would never think Of boosting
the player market as did WeCghman
or Rupert.
Local fans realize that the Ma
tionals have not burned up the
American League since 1928 and
"A. as recent Octobers have found
them firmly intrenched in the sec
Ond division. The habit seemed n
characteristic one, but war time sec
ond draft call gives great promise
to the Nationals for a reversal of
form next year.
Griff will sure have the king pin
of his pitching stan back in line,
while Ayers, Shaw. Ningling, Har-
per and DumOnt are the old regu-
lGEs MuO Will uO uOuOE DC OAA manu-
to help out the Smoke King"
The story of Henry going to the
Braves has been again denied by
the Old Fox with John in line the
Nationals will again present one of
the best pitching staffs in either
league as Ainsmith has already
signed and the Old Fox looks for no
trouble in lining up Charity.
The purchasing of Bert Shotten.
rounded out for Griffith a fleet
footed, hard-hitting outfielder. as
clyde Milan is working on a war
time contract and Samhnie Rice has
signified his intentions of signing
up during the training season.
The infeld of the Nationals is
still somewhat of a puzzle, as Joe
Judge, who played such a sCnsa-
1iOnal game at the first bag before
his injury, claimed to be thoroughly
recovered. but the Old Fox must be
shown first. Morgan, Foster and
Shanks are the other veterans of
the infeld. while Lavan and Crane
will be hustled all the time to earn
regular berth.
a number of young pitchers and
other players are mostly of un-
known quality, but the chances for
the 1918 Nationals, under the pres
eut circumstances, appear better
than they have in a long while.
The adoption of schedules, fixing
of war taxes. offering and rejection
of new legislation. will be aided at
the meetings of the American and
National Leagues in New York this
week. The baseball whirl starts
tomorrow when the moguls of the
vabbling International League go
into session.
1t is believed that this league will
continue with a six-club circuit,
dropping Richmond aud Montreal
The league will no doubt operate
for five months from May until the
end of September.
The National League meeting is
scheduled to start Tuesday, while
the American League will get down
to action Wednesday. The stove
league will be full of fuel next week
and the chances are that the heat
less Mondays OR other days will not
be noticed by fandon