Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-10
WILLARD PLEASED
LAT HIS CONDITION
Champion Says Training Is
Proving Real Pleasure.
Murphy Gusts Menosky.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

When Jess Willard arrived on the scene
of his coming battle with Jack Dempsey
his trim appearance and lack of excess
poundage caused no end Of comment.
Those who had expected to see in the
champion, who had been idle as far as
actual competition in the ring is con-
cerned or several years. a fabby hulk
with rolls of superf1uous flesh professed
TO be greatly surprised. and the native
Toledoans with whom the challenger
had become a warm favorite changed
their tune and conceded that, after all.
the titleholder might have a chance with
his slashing and much more youthful
opponent.
Then after watching Willard in action
for week the critical observers reach
ed the conclusion that. although he was
in fine physical condition. he was far
from being in fighting shape.
Jess Pleased With Condition.
It has been contended all along by
persons familiar with f1stic affairs
that the outcome of the July 4 event
will hinge almost entirely on Will
lards condition. so a statement direct
from the athlete in question should
prove welcome to fans who are fol-
lowing the training activities of the
contenders. In a dispatch from To-
ledo today Willard Is quoted as say
ing that at no time in the past had
training proved so easy for him as 1T
has in the present instance.
Road work used to be punishment
OF the worst kind for me-" says
the champion. my feet always seem,
ed as heavy as lead and 1 was tired
fine myself to three miles of it. Now.
however, 1t Is really pleasure.
seem to have more energy than ever
and seem to get along faster. l went
and felt fresh and strong at the finish.
I honestly believe 1 could get in con-
dition within ten days. If necessary.
to defend my title"
Kearns. Dempsey's manager, that the
aspirant for the heavyweight crown
Fiil not be permitted to do any more
toxing for several days. until an old
wound over his. left eye. reopened
70 training bout yesterday. thor
SughIy heals. Kearns took this action
because of danger of infection. In
the meantime Dempsey will conf1ne
Ills conditioning activities to road
work and other exercises.
Murphy Gets Menosky's Job.
Starting today. when the Nationals
dash with the Cleveland club in the
9fst of a series of four games. Bob
Murphy will appear in the outfield
dong with Milan and Rice in place
af Mike Menosky, who. temporarily
1t least, will warm the bench. Mana
Ter Griffith today said this action
mould in no sense be construed as a
detection on the manner in which
Menosky has been performing in left
dSld, but is simply to give the new
~ nhav 70
Arate the extent of his capabilities.
On what he has shown to date Murphy
dives promise of developing, into a
1layer of worth. He has given evi.
Has a fine throwing arm. and the pilot
helieves that with proper coaching
ne crudities apparent in his work
dan be ironed out. Murphy is good
dlenty Of speed in covering ground.
His principal faults. so far as they
Have developed to date, are lack OF
experience in base running and slow
hess in getting the ball away from
Him He has displayed accuracy and
Deed In pegging. but loses valuable
seconds in starting his heaves. How
yell he will hit after opposing slab
Men have had an opportunity of siz-
fhg him up remains to be seen. If he
DIN continue to WELD his fail to good
advantage he is assured of steady
York. Grif will devote attention to
polishing of the rough edges of his
Work in other departments in morn
fhg sessions at the park.
layers. Shaw and Harper all are eli
aible for pitching duty against the
Indians today and it is likely Char
rAty will be nominated for receiving
duty. regardless of what hurler is Sc
lkcted. The Beloit boy has improved
Greatly as a backstop this spring and
ID such a valuable asset from a kit
Ding standpoint that it would be a
mistake to keep him out Of the line
P-