Evening star., 1919-12-30
FOSTER, HARPER, MENOSKY
GOFOR ROTH AND SHANNON
Griffith Appears to Haze Accomplished Object
of Strengthening Team in S.Uap Engi-
neered With Boston Red Sox.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

Third BaSeman Eddie roster, OutneiO-
er Mike Menosky and Pitcher Harry
Harper to Boston in exchange for Out
fielder Bobby Roth and Second Baseman
Maurice shannon, constitutes the first
move OF Clark Griffith in his effort to
strengthen the Nationals for the 1870
pennant race.
On the face of things, Griffith appears
TO have accomplished his object, for
should i do much toward adding
the punch needed from a right-hand
hitting outfelder who gets distance
from his clouts. Roth. answers these
specifications The president-manage ger
has been convinced for some time that
Roth is just the man needed to round
out his garden. he announced he was
prepared to bid high to get Roth. and
in giving up Foster was compelled to
do just that thing.
Foster Undcrrated Here.
Fosters worth as a player is not as
sessed at its true valuation by Wash
ington fans. who mistake his attitude.
which constitutes conservation of energy
and elimination of waste motions, for
indifference Foster is not Indifferent
and never has been. No player on the
team had its success more at heart than
the midget third Sacker Manager Grit
fifth and his fellow players were Well
aware of this fact, but Il large majority
OF the patrons of the local park were
convinced to the contrary. SO there prob
ably will be little regret felt among
their ranks at his passing.
This being true, the base ba1l-go-
ing public of the capital may be ex-
pected to applaud Grifhth's wisdom in
making this deal. as neither Menosky
nor Harper is held in high esteem local
ly. Menosky has been given every
chance to make good here. but has
fallen short of requirements because of
two fatal weaknesses, inability to throw
or to go back for a fly ball. His hit
ting has improved. especially last sea-
son. but he thought of little else save
his average. and his work in other de-
partments suffered accordingly
Harpers status is too we'll known to
require extended comment There are
few lefthanders in the league who have
more stuff than the Jerseyite, but it
has been demonstrated beyond any
doubt that he cannot win for Washing
only twenty-four. He has a lot of
base ball left in him and. given an in
centIve by change of scenery, may
nave big season with the Red Sox.
put he unquestionably had outlived his
usefulness here.
Roth n Potential Star.
In Roth the Nationals get a player
who is a potential star. one whose
peculiar disposition alone has pre-
: vented him from attaining great
heights on the diamond. Shannon
also is said to be of the hard to ham
die type. and it is for this reason
the pair was turned over to Boston
Foil. who, as manager of the Indians.
mad his hands full in curbing Roth
prior to the time he was shifted to
Philadelphia. Connie Mack and Ed
6arroW all agree. as do the fans who
have watched his work, that Roth is
truly brilliant performer when he
wants to be. but the three pilots
named above had trouble keeping him
in the mood
Griffith has known Roth since he was
e mere boy in Chicago. He knows his
pecular mental traits and idosyn-
crasies like book, and is confident he
can Keep him going at top speed here.
IN addition to being a good hitter
OF the ionG-distance type. Roth is a
regular demon on the bases and is
Dound to add greatly to the speed of
the Griffs. His one outstanding weak
ness is inability to play a sun field. and
Grlfnth viii see to it that he doesn't
nave Old Sol to contend with by plac-
ing him in right field. shifting Rice TO
center and using Milan in left
both Newcomers Aggressive.
maurice Shannon. who is a twin
brother of Joe Shannon. the outfielder
VINO was given trial with the Ma
tfonals at Augusta last sprinp is a
youngster who gives promise of de-
Seioping into a hitter of parts es
pecIaily against right-hand pitching.
as shannon swings from the first-base
side of the plate. In fielding he has
Wnat the base ball sharps term "ac
tion and goes after everything in
sight without hesitancy about hurting
ms record by missing 'em.
hoth and Shannon comprise a pair
OF athletes who should inject large
GODS OF hight into the Nationals. Roth
are naturally aggressive, Shannon's
enaracteristics in this respect being
1ndicated by his name and his red,
thatched dome
fnere is no question that Ros-
Ton VIII benefit from the deal. nos
sipiy as much as the Nationals. es-
peclaiiy II Harper comes to hand and
Is ape TO win for the Red Sox. How
much Menosky will help the Sox re-
mains to be seen. but Foster is as.
sured or a regular berth on Barrow's
1mneid, and most likely at third base
Ine Sox already have a skilled ner-
FORMER for the position in Oscar VIII
put III is likely he will be Shifted over
70 second to fll the gap left by Shan
non departure. as Foster shows fo
Hucn better advantage at third than