New-York tribune., 1920-02-29

Kelley Will look after affairs during
the absence of Manager Miller Higgins.
Huggins is still confined to his hotel
room here with bronchitis, and at the
urging of Colonel Huston will remain
indoors until tomorrow, when he will
probably follow his charges to Jackson
vile.
George Mogridge, the Star left
handed pitcher of the team, who had
been holding out, came to terms with
the local owners yesterday afternoon
and left with the party from here. The
others who left from Manhattan in
cluded the following:
Herbert Thormahlen, the star south
paw pitcher; Ping Bodie, the irresist-
ible; Percy Smallwood, pitcher: Danny
Murphy, catcher from ST. Paul, of
whom big things are expected; Mario
DE Vltalis. former star ootball player
and baseball pitcher of Brown Univer-
slty; Benny Geser, who is expected to
make a strong bid for an outtield lob,
and several newspaper men.
Shawkey Takes Protege
At Philadelphia Derrill Pratt, sec
ond baseman; Bob Shawkey, pitcher,
Joined the party; Chick Fewster, Bic
miller and Scout Joe Kelley were
picked up at Baltimore. Other men,
bers of the club will convene at Jack
sonviIle from points South and West.
Babe Ruth was the center of interest
OF large crowd gathered at the Penn
sylvana Station to see the Yanks off.
The big fellow looked to be in condi-
tlon to go out and knock few homers.
He stood with one hand in his pocket,
shifting from foot to foot and smiling
good naturedly all the while
Asked II he was pleased to be hitting
the trail to the old stamping ground
the Babe acknowledged that the
thoughts of getting q bat in his hand
again were pleasant indeed.
Yes, Pll be pleased when the old
ball season swings round" he said, as
he pufed at a Babe Ruth special. i'm
ported from Bostontown. ''When the
season is near the end fellow gets
sort of tired of the game, but when
the spring training call comes he can
hardly wait to get there. Even DID,
timers who have made the trip for
years like to get back to prance around
and to get the kinks out of their sys-
tens.
Expects His Biggest Season
II think I'll like New York first rate
| always liked to play here, as most of
the fellows do, and figure that this is
going to be my biggest year Natur-
ally | would say SO, but honestly feel
that way about it.
in the first place, you see, there'll
be lo4 games this year, at which I'll
get crack at that old apple OF
those Wen play at least ha.f of them
on the Polo Grounds, which means Tll
have some seventy-seven games at
which to shoot at that short right-tield
stand. And if l don't knock twenty-five
homers in there III bust. I don't dare
say how many III make or try to make,
but | believe Pm going to knock that
record Of twenty-nine four4base clouts
sky~hieh this year.
What position will I play? That.
of course, will be up to Higgins en-
tirely. He's the boss, and what he says
goes, but l think I'd like to play the
outtield regularly. ii / do I'll have
more chances to wallop that pill, and
think that my work III the field will i'm
prove by playing one position regu-
iarly.
"However, if Huggins wants me to
shift around, that's all right with me,
too. If | can help the boys bring in
the pennant by taking turn in the
pitching box l'il be glad to do so. Win
ming the pennant is the main thing;
barging homers is secondary.
"Yes, Pm in good shape and will need
little training. My ball playing and
golting on the Pacific Coast have kept
me in condition, and all I'll need is TO
loosen the arm and tune up the batting
eye
The Yankees will arrive in camp
early tomorrow. The rest of the day
VIII be spent in settling at the hotel
arc getting acquainted with the sur.
roundings. Practice will get under
way Tuesday afternoon, and from then
sessions will be held every morning
and afternoon.