The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-03-12
GRFFMEN BUY HOLD-OUT ATHLETE
IN SHANNON, OF BALTIMORE CLUB
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.


The Griffmen have acquired title
to a hold-out In Joe Shannon, who
played for while last season with
the Baltimore Orioles, HITTING for
1876 in forty-four games and fielding
-979 in forty-three contests. Jack
Dunn got nd of a hoid-out in Shan
non, but he added little to his peace
of mind, for he failed to land Ray
Morgan, a player he had hoped to
obtain.
shannon is one OF the shannon
twins his brother Maurice being
one of Connie Mack's second base
men. He jumped the ORIOLES last
summer, leaving ostensibly to visit
his home in Jersey and never re-
turning. He took up some essential
work" which was a disease while the
drums beat and the bugles screamed.
Trying to sign Shannon this spring.
Dunn found the youngster demanding
a salary far in excess OF his worth,
in the managers eyes. and Dunn has
showed this over to Clark Griffith. It
is rumored from Baltimore that Shan
non wants more money than the
Washington club will offer him, but
that remains to be seen.
xs PhIIIies CLAIM, Morgan.
Tte ,sPhHiies rSnotihed the
GriRs 9hat if Ray Morgan does not
sign philadelphia contract he will
be sif9Rsa TO stay close TO his place
OK bNsiness" in Baltimore, for he
won't be permitted to play in organ
lied baseball anywhere else.
The PhiI1les have yet to pay the
,drRft price for Morgan, but there is
tine for that. The whole AFFAIR
Seems jumbIed up right now. and ii
; may turn out that Morgan will be-
come zan Oriole, the Phils declining
to pay something for nothing.
Though Manager Griffith issues his
customary denial, Attorney Shotton is
doomed as a Griffman. Indeed, he
10 likely to find himself sliding out
Of the big leagues. He is suffering
from an osseous formation above the
ears, which interferes with his WORK
on the diamond.
Needs n RIEht-HandeF.
Manager Griffith believes he needs
a right-hand hitter in his outfeIj,
switch explains his purchase Of Shan
non. Zeb Milan's husky young
brother is an orthodox swinger, but
1l5eS has YET to establish himself as a
major Lacquer. so Grih is willing 10
-exPeriment. II Davey Robertson |
comes here-and il seems likely that
be wiIl-the Griffs will have three |
southpaw hitters in the garden with !
Rice, Milan and Robertson in the
lineup.
Mique Martin should begin his pre-
Iiminary manicuring stunts at Az. /
gusta today, being due TO arrive /
about noon. He will put fire in the
old heater. out al Warren Park, round /
mp his collection Of sunburned assist
ant HlanicUTes. put a new board CT
two in Che fence and visit a movie
EefOfe crossing the river for his din
ner-and q smoke.
Witt and walters Sign.
Oscar Witt. third baseman. and Al
1teFss catcher. have signed their
.contracts with the Red sox. Now
that's settled.
Joe "'Foghorn" Casey will not go to
Augusta Saturday with Griff's pit
ers. Indeed, Joe's scouting this win
ter was out OF the goodness Of his
heart, for he wont be with the Wash
ington club any more; no. not any
more. The Old Fox is chasing a mi
nor league berth for the ancient
catcher.
Ruhe BressleT. the Cincinnati Reds
southpaW, is seriously i'll at Camp
Merritt, and may be unable to play
ball this year.
Butch" Schmidt, who was the
Braves first baseman when they won
the worlds championship in 1914. is
thinking about returning TO the
game. He quit baseball TO run his
market in Baltimore, but the business
is falling off, Baltimoreans becoming
vegetarians because Of the high
prices OF meat, and so Butch"
dreams of living for three months
at the expense OF some ball club
daring enough to try him out.