The Washington times., 1921-03-27
GR|FF WILL HAVE
BEST OF 0UTF|ELDS
Lewis, Rice, and Milan Furnish
Nucleus for Wonder
Garden"

TAMPA, Fla, March 21.-One thing
the Washington club will have this
season will be frst-clsss outneld.
1t is doubtful IL there will be a better
one in the American League, or the
National League, either, for that mat
ter. The trio of regulars, Lewis. Rice
and Milan, are real wonders when II
comes to retrieving fly balls 1t will
be an event when some opposing hit
ter succeeds in driving the ball be-
yond their reach.
Sam Rice gives every promise of
starting in this year where he stopped
last October. Carrying not an ounce
of superfiuous flesh, Rice is steppiAS
around like a two-year-old. In the
field he is the same sure catch, no
matter where he gets the ball. high
or low.
Duffy Lewis, taking his job more
seriously than he has In several years.
reported in fine physical condition
and is playing high-class ball. All
the fans know his ability to cover
ground in the garden. He has been
doing that here and is certain to keep
it up.
Had Tony Marhafka, the same game
little duck here in the Griffs' camp
now. been taken South fifteen years
ago he might now be approaching the
close of an honorable major league
career He might have been developed
then and taken his place among the
leading lights of the game.
But Fate kept Tony Harhafka in
the background, frittering away his
time on the sandlots around his home
town in Pennsylvania. If he fielded
like Hans Wagner. none knew 1t,
that Is. none who could help him 10
greater things. If he developed in
correct methods at bat, none was there
to advise him differently.
HE FINALLY COMES UP.
And so the years went on for Tony
Mapb afka. He made fine reputation
among the semipro baseball teams of
his home country. He worked hard
in the winter usually In the mines,
and took the best of care Of himself
so as to be ready for baseball the mo-
ment the snow left the ground.
Finally war was looming up for the
major leagues. 1t began to. look as IL
the national agreement was to be
shattered and the two big orgariiza>
tions pull apart. Clark Griffith. presi-
dent of the Washington club, called
upon all his friends to dig up ball
players for him. He did not mean to
be caught without a ball team. And
into the net came Tony Marhafka.
Duffy Lewis, handicapped by extra
weight and a certain don't care spirit
common among the Yankees. was far
from a good hitter in 1920. He is no.-
showing every promise of hitting for
at least .275, which is enough when
1T is Lewis. Duffy likes to get his
wallops with runners ahead of him
and his long, Vicious drives should
account for many rams before the
season is endoG.
HAS EXCELLENT RECORD.
Bing Miller comes to the Gr.rmen
with an excellent record in the South
ern Association. He led the circuit In
home runs last year and finished in
the 300 class. or course, there ia
considerable difference between minor
and major league finging. He may
not knock down any fences UP here.
But at least one many expect him TO
hit well enough to stick.
Hank Shanks, If called upon much
in the spring, should keep all his
many friends in good humor, for
Hank is a great spring performer. He
is meeting the ball as well as ever
now and crying for chances to go
bat. Hank Is going to be valuable
utility man for the Griffs this year.
Brower's hitting ability is WELL
known. Hitting seems to be the best
thing he does.
Then, If worse turns to worst, Pat
Charity, the leaping outfielder, can
grab himself a finger glove and go
to work in the outneld.
All in all, Manager Mcbride doesn't
have TO do much worrying about his
outfeld. He has plenty of real
felders and hitters.