The Washington herald., 1920-08-29


their real test will come. If they al
recent tragedy and return to their tru
they may overhaul the White Sox and
Just how deeply the teammates;
81 Chapman feel his loss is indi-
,ated by the almost helpless man
ler in which they have been play
fnE since his death. Losing one
game and winning one in New York
after their shortstop was fatally in
iured, they went to Cleveland for
he funeral and returned to Boston.
Four games were lost to the Red
Sox. In Philadelphia, after losing
Nvo games. they finally rallied their
forces and took the last one.
Home Stay TO Help Tribe.
Out Of seven games played the
indians won only two. Still, they
naintain their hold on second place.
5ut by the sIenderest of margins.
four points separate them from the
Yankees. And they are but two
games removed from the leading
White Sox, despite their serious
slump.
The series beginning today will
mean much to the Tribe. but, de-
eft byitheir long home stay which
Hoes not end until September 26.
II they can reach their old stride
again during that time. the hope
II the cleveland fans may yet be
reaIized.
Speaker seems to be satisfied with
The work of Harry SUnte at short
The difference betwpn this youth
and Chapman can be seen in the
fact that he is placed next to the
pitcher in the batting order. but
he is giving his best efforts and
playing an acceptable game. Chap
mans timely hitting and brilliant
delding can not be adequately re
placed at this stage Of the game,
out the Tribe still packs a danger
1us punch at the bat.
Mays Talk May Be Cleared Up.
Courtney or Erickson will prob
ably open the series against the
Tribe this afternoon and. in view
Of the improved form OF the Ma
.ionaIs. the games should be wetl
worth watching. Rain kept both
teams idle yesterday. Speaker
brought his team over from Phila-
deIphia last night
CIeveIaud's visit to Washington is
expected to clear up the mystery of
the petition reported to have been
sent out by the club asking other
PLAYERS in the league to join them IN
refusing to play against Carl Mays
This petition was not received by
Washington or TIGER players. but is
said to have reached the Boston Red
SoN.
ShankS champion Ttility Man.
Il is conceded that the GrifTs arou
going TO carry of many honOrs this
season, but you cant crowd them
out Of the IimeIight entirely. San
Rice is going to finish ahead Of the
field as a base stealer and Joe Judge
bids fair to be the three -ba se-hit
6inE-
We would also call attention 10
another undispured champion of the
year on Mr.. Grifith's pay roll
The gentleman in question is none
otherN than Howard Shanks, the
champion handy man Of baseball
HustIinE Hank has been making
them all sit up and take notice when
il comes to filling the utility role
He is the only player in the league
who has performed in five different
positions during the season. and the
best thing abOut,it IS that he mas
, played them all well.
Shanks has almost been a regular
this season. He has played in nine
ty-twO games. in various capacities
Most of the time has been spent at
the hot corner. where his work has
been on a par with that of any third
baseman in the league He has also
played short. first and left and right
delds. As an infielder he has done
stellar work and in taking care OF
the outer garden he has few supe-
-iOrs.
Leads All for Versatility.
There is no player in the circuit
who approaches Shanks in the mum.
Der of positions played. SchanG. OF
Boston; Heilman, of Detroit; Meu.
sci. of New York. and Torres and
Charity, of the Nationals. have per,
formed in a trio of roles this season
But none Of them has shown the all
round ability of Shanks. who ap,
pears to be able to perform every,
where save in the box.
Many shifts in position have not
interfered with Towards batting
eye. On the contrary. he is hitting
BITTER than at any time since h
Joined the Nationals. having a
healthy mark Of .275. with thirteen
hOuD4tSs SIX triples ana Two nome
runs. In addition he is among the
ten leading base stealers with ter
purloined sacks to his credit. In
fielding Shanks claims 223 putouts
149 assists and Is errors
Grin Boosts Hank.
There is no harder worker on the
local team than the PENNSYLVANIA
youth. HIS pep and willingness has
made a big hit with President Crit
fifth. When Freddie Thomas was
claimed from the Athletics and
Joined the team in Cleveland. some
one asked Grif why he didn't give
the newcomer a chance at third.
Why should l." Uueried Grif. "It
you can show me any third baseman
in the league who is playing better
ball than Shanks | might consider
the change For the present. how
ever. I want to win games and that
bOy is sure delivering the goods. ."
Shanks' stellar work has made a
big hit with the fans and it is go
ing to take a mighty good third
sacker to prize him loose from his
present position.