The Washington herald., 1919-04-11
.CRIFFS' Leave
TRAINING CAMP
Nationals Open Two-Game
Series with Jack Coombs'
Phillies.

Columbia S. c. April 1o-(En route
with the Nationals).-"It is always
darkest just before dawn" SO said
one of those Bugs Baer fellows of
the prose world. That bird sure knew
something as with the darkness of
the Nationals leaving Augusta with a
club that appears not a great deal
stronger than that which finished
third In the wartime race" of last
season, comes forth the Old Fox with
the information that brightens UP the
sky lines.
This info IL no other than the Wash
ington club now stands ready and will
ling to purchase Davey Robertson
from the New York Giants. This deal
which has been hanging fire for the
rast four months means a great deal
to the Nationals as with Robertson
the batting order of the GrifYmen the
club would be a real pennant con-
tender
When Branch Hickey back-fred
on the deal because of the injury to
Johnny Lavan 1t appeared that the
bottom had been kicked completely
out of the Nationals chances but
now Griffith is the little joy maker
and claims that he will go the limit
to obtain the lanky Virginian as he
is confident that Davey would round
out his fighting clan and make them
one that must be feared.
The Nationals lock horns with
Jawn McGraw's Giants in Peters
burg. Va, on Monday and before the
series is completed on Sunday. April
20 in the Capital, Foxy Gr!ff is sure
that he will have collared Robert
son, even II he is forced to hold up
the scrappy Gotham leader at the
point of a blue devil' as those long
barreled thirty -eights are known in
this neck OF the woods.
With Davey playing the sun field
the Foxy Leader would be able to
give all his time to the development
of Chick" Davis. Chick" being
the nickname recently dubbed the
little COB by his team mates.
Davis has shown a marked improve
ment in both his batting and field
ing during the past week. The Ma
tionals' pilot realizes he has some
thing of a diamond In the rough in
the Pacific Coast youngster. and is
confident that Davis will shortly have
the fans forgetting the brilliant work
in the short field demonstrated last
season by Lieut.. Lavan.
Griff was more than pleased with
the stick work of Frank Ellerbe, but
the South Carolinian was somewhat
green at the defensive end of the
game. Griff believes that with one
season of the fast ball which he will
get in the International League El-
lerbe will be ready for the big show
and has kept a string attached to
him. The Nationals leader is so well
satisfied with the prospects of Davis
filling the bill at the short field po-
sition that he today wavered on Ward,
the youngster with the Yankees, as
he claims that Ward is no faster than
Chick" and not the style Of ball
player he desires to have around.
The Anal workout OF the squad
was held at Warren Park this morn
ing when Ayers, Lynch and Craft
pitched to the batters. Base run
ming will be big factor in the ag-
gressive playing of the Nationals
as the Old Fox. had the entire club
schooling them today in the art OF
beating the ball on the pathways.
The main squad left Augusta this
afternoon for Charlotte. where the
series will be opened tomorrow with
the Phillies. Lefty Thompson, Ed
die Hovlik and Eddie Matteson will
be the Nationals hurlers in this op-
ening battle, while johnson. Ayers and
Harper will take a three-inning slam
at the Quakers on Saturday. Prem
dergrast. Oeshger and Jacobs are
due to take up the box work fol-
Jack Coombs' tribe in this initia,
! exhibition game.