The Washington herald., 1919-03-05
Hank Anxious to Try to
FIJI Gap in Nationals In
networks; Two More
Youngsters Fall In Line.
JOHN A. DUGAN.

Hank Shanks' famous shrill
voice will once more be heard at
the Florida avenue balliwick this
season. as the Monacca marvel yes
terday returned his signed contract
TO the Nationals pilot. Howard
claims to be in great shape and is
snxious to convince the Old Fox
that he can hold down the short
Geld lob, il GriT desires to give him
a chance at the pivot position, made
vacant by Johnny Lavan-
Grif has given up all hopes of
having LavaH return to the fold
in preference to Uncle Sans navy,
and is relying upon Hank to step
into Johnny's shoes, although he
has signed up any number of
youngsters, who will attempt TO
break into the innerworks of the
local baseball array, and may yet
cut-step Hank for the honors.
Shanks is one of the most popu-
lar ball players that ever donned
a Nationals uniform. His pep and
night displayed at all times has
gained for him a big place in the
respect of the local fans. When
DAYS of the Hot Stove League sthe
past winter that Hank was on the
market for a trade, the fans let
out a loud yell. But Hank was
never considered by the Old Fox
when trade talks were in the air, as
GriH realizes that in Shanks, he
Ias one Of the best utility players
in the game.
Hank last season played in l2O
games. batting for .257 hgure-
Sbanks played all over the inheld,
his best work being at the second
sack. where he took part in forty-
seven games. handling ESQ chances
having fourteen errors for an aV-
erage Of $50. In the outtergardens,
Hank PLAYED sixty-three games Tor
a percentage of .957.
Two minor league pilots were Visi-
tors here yesterday. Jack Dunn, the
Dilot of the Baltimore international
Club. jumped to this city to talk over
terms with Merwin Jacobson, one Oh
his outfieIders who is at present DONG
duty a. a clerk in one OF the Govern
mont departments. While here Dun
ME and Griff held a long confao "hlch
may result in some farming relauOhS
hRfWRRn y
later in the season.
E--,r,r ScbuIte was the other minor
league to hold Griff's attention.
..WHdhre" was here looking for a
chance to pick up a few Of Grih,s
csst-bfs when the pruning knife mas
action about June one
C,riry Yesterday obtained two more
Youngsters who will be given thor-
orrorb once over at the Augusta
training camp. These players are
Sbortstop Ellerby. who halls from
SDartanburE. s. c. and Pltcher Bill
Harrington. from Wakefield. Mass
Both BOYS are raw rockies but nave
been highly touted 10 the FoNey FiloG
with the signing of these young
stcrs Griff was compelled to cut the
strau,s loose on Raymond Gardner.
the Young right hand hurlcr obtalne1
a., the recommendation of FoG-
horn Joe Casey Gardiner proved 10
ba the property of the Houston Siup
o. the Texas League and Grin could
not see his way clear to lay out tie
purchase price for his services
Jobn McGraw received an amusing
,rnpinC in the mail q few days ago
from an uIhlAOMA eAN-iAAAN
an old box score. yellow with age
n a came played in Chicago on July
II 1895. between the Baltimore ana
chicago National League clubs. clark
GriFith was pitching for Chicago and
NlcGraw had three runs and three
hits to his credit. The summary con-
tatned the following interesting news:
Two base hit-McGraw. Three base
bit-McGraw. Home run-McGra".
The Orioles won the game. II to 2
"rTl have a lot of fun kidding Grlt-
rtr about that when we make our
snrinE tour" said McGraw. And the
funny thing is I don't remember that
game at all.
II do remember one game very
clearly in which I beat Griffith with
a home run. The reason It is i'm
pressed so well on my mind is that
n was the first time an Eastern club
Jumped West Just to play Sunday
game. We Jumped out of Baltimore
after the Saturday game. There was
a. awful mob out for the Sunday
game on the old West Side grounds.
1T was a terrible slugEinE match. but
in those, days a pitcher STAYED in ana
took his beating. Griffith stuck
through the full nine innings. 7 broke
2 tie score in the ninth inning with
home run, winning the game for Bal
tinore. II to 10. I'll bet Griffith re-
members that one"