The Washington herald., 1919-04-06
old FOX TALKS
OF HIS CLUB
Joe Brown Given His Re-
lease and Started for
Home.
BY JOHN A. DUGAN.


North Augusta, S. c., April 5.-Grir
was in a talkative mood after the
practice session here today and
opened his heart on some honest-to-
goodness opinions on the makeup Of
his club for the coming campaign and
the chances they will have in landing
the bacon. In the first place the Old
Fox admits that he has but two prob
lens to solve this season; these are
the chances of little Ike Davis coming
through to fit into the inner works
and the obtaining of Davey Robert
son to play in the outfield or the
development of Menosky, Shannon
or Milan to fill the bill.
Hal Janvrin is expected to be in
shape when the gong sounds, which
would leave Shanks as a candidate
for either the outfleld or the short
field position In case Davis fell down
fiat but as the foxy leader is conf
dent that the Pacific Coast COB will
field problem is the only one that
will cause him worry.
Grif is we'll satisfied with the
promise given by the pitchers to date,
per and Ayers-will be ready to take
their turn when April q rolls around.
AS he intends to carry but seven
hurlers this season, 1t appears that
the selection Of the other three will
be made from Hovlik. Matteson,
Thompson, Craft and Lynch, as Fla
herty will be compelled to report to
Frank Schulte's Binghamton Club,
while Harrington has not shown
enough promise to even be consid-
cred in farming.
With the receiving department
well fortified 1t is the Robertson
deal. which is still hanging fire, that
can either make the Nationals PEN
nant contenders throughout the sea-
son or place the club on the roster
as a dangerous outfit with pennant
hopes far-fetched. Griff realizes that
Robertson will make his club one
that must be feared by the other
contenders. even IL the shortfield
position is not solved. Griff is
pumping the old wooden handle
while the pumping is good and will
leave nothing undone in his at
tempt to land the slugging giant.
Although there was no new de-
velopments in this deal today, from
reliable sources comes the news
that Davey and Griff have already
talked over terms and that the big
Virginian will be Johnny on the
spot" the minute the HeydlerRick
ey-Dreyfuss combination reports the
decision that Robertson is sincere
in his statement that he will play
with no other club but the Wash
ington.
This is just the way the Foxy
Pilot at this early date sums up his
problem of placing the Nationals in
the race and should anything hap
pen that would side-track the Rob-
ertson deal it will not be the fault
of the silver haired manager, as
Griff is doing more "office work" at
swinging this deal than he has been
in developing the players in his
squad.
Joe Brown, the Buffalo semi-pro
who was recommended by Fog
Horn" Joe Casey. bid the boys fare
well at noon today. Joe was cut
loose outright by the Old Fox as he
had not shown enough to be consid-
cred in farming. Billy Harrington,
the southpaw hurler from Wake
field, Mass, is due to receive his
ticket back to, New England next
week unless he suddenly shows a
reverse in his ability to fling the
horsehide.
Hal Janvrin took a light work.
out today at the bunting practice,
while he also took his turn with
the Regs at the hitting practice.
Griff had Janvrin examined by a
physician this morning who pro-
nounced the former Boston second
sacker in great shape. There is no
after-effect of the "fiu" on Halls
lungs; he is at present at his
normal weight and the chances of
him fast rounding into form are
bright.
Golf games and fishing parties
will occupy the athletes time to-