The Washington herald., 1919-03-22
LEFT HANDLER
| IS PROMISING
Harry Thompson Had Good
Year with Toronto Be-
fore Enlisting.
BY JOHN A. DUGAN.

North Augusta, s. c., March a.
Little Harry Thompson, one OF the
new additions to the southpaw de-
partment Of the Nationals, and who
appears to have more than an even
chance of remaining for quite some
time under the watchful eyes of clark
C. Griffith, caused the National COM
mission. the Foxy Pilot, and Presi-
dent McCaffrey, of the Toronto clup
a few worried moments last winter
when the boiling from the kettle OF
the old stove league was at Its helght.
Thomson, who won twenty-five
games on the firing hill for the Tor
onto club in 1917, and who hit for
2S3 figure in the seventy-nine games
in which he toek part, both at serv-
ing the pill and playing center held
was caught by the Nationals in the
draft. Before the Old Fox could
rush through the required check TO
cover up Thompson's draft, our own
Uncle Sammy did a little drafthg
himself, which resulted in Harry De
coming the property Of the L. ..
/ army.
Grin later had Thompson's name
added to the reserve list of the Ma
tionaIs and, of course when KAISER
.
last November. the silver-haired lead
er Immediately put in claim for
Thompson who was at that time sta
toned at Camp Meade, Maryland.
The case was settled by the Natlonal
Commission but not until after a hGht
es when the International League was
pUlIing its act OF Independence at the
big baseball parliaments in Gotham
last February, President McCanrey
asked Thompson to meet him In New
York City and talk over this year
plans.
Harry met his former boss, and al
though he was offered fat raise III
saary and one that surpassed the hs-
ure he is getting with the Nations, ne
turned it down for the chance or per-
forming under the big tent He Is now
under a Nationals contract anu
claims that he will work his hardest
to convince the Old Fox that he Is oil
major league timber. He may even
come through to such an extent as ~
feel the ''holdout shoes OF Jimmy
Shaw, although weight and height Is
against him. He is as uick as car
and has plenty Of zip on his fast ball.
Eddie Matteson. the pinch hitter Oh
the Nationals 1918 campaign VINO IS
the big show at an age where most
pIayers leave off, was the first to be
added to the sick list since the grind
started last Monday. Matty contract
ed a heavy cold and Trainer Martin
excused him from the morning ann.
The Dallas veteran, however, MADE
the tourney to warren's Field this
afternoon and attempted to work on
Unn1 sweat.
Matty was feeling like himself late
tonight and expects to be back at
the routine tomorrow.
The toughest job the Griffs young
sters have to do here is to find some
way to amuse themselves between
the morning and afternoon practice
sessions. Card games are now being
tossed in the discard as mild form or
recreation. Val Picinch. who yester-
day showed the boys his ability at
plotting thoroughbreds which resulted
in a harmless fall for Val. today at
tempted to demonstrate his powers
as a speed demon of the motorcycle
world. Trainer Martin and Uncle
Nick soon put the ban on Picinich and
Lynch, who were the race demons.
as they desire to turn this "hoodoo"
thirteen players here over to the Old
Fox Sunday without n few limbs
missing or head crushed in.
Trainer Martin, who was placed on
the injured list yesterday by a fly
ing bat from the hands of Sam Ag-
new, has written the Old Fox to be
sure and bring along many yards OF
rawhide string. as MOllie Craft. Eddie
Charity. and Picinich Joined this bat
ting throwing squad today, but no
casualties were recorded.