Evening star., 1921-12-11

1Orty-OQQ dtnleteS on the local roster
deals. A grand housekeeping to r,
blood may result to the intense sati
it does.
The catching staff. regarded as fair
ly adequate: Johnson. Mogridge and
Zachary of the pitchers. and Judge,
Harris. O'Rourke, Rice, Goslin, Shanks
and Milan are about the only MEM
bers of the team constituted last
season who are assured of retention.
OF what is left there is much in guam
tity. and the quality is high enough
TO Justify the expectation Of a return
one.
Griff is chary about discussing his
plans for deals. He contends any con-
versation spilled now might interfere
with them. but he admits d couple of
dickers already have taken form and
expects them to come to head this
week. Considerable wire pulling will
be- required, as they involve Shunting
players from the big show to the
sticks. He hopes to be able to accom-
Piish this by swapping waivers-the
time-old eNpedient: You scratch my
back and I'll scratch yours.
Some OF Grin's Needs.
Griff would like to land real third
baseman and send Howard Shanks
pack to the Outfield. where he be-
longs. He could have obtained the
veteran Witt, recently transferred
from the Red SoX to Cincinnati. or
might have been able to get Kamm
ihe coast league phenom. but these
felloWs. proficient enough in fielding.
demonstrated this las, year to the
satisfaction of even those who are
prone to recall only that many hot
ones whiStled past the far corner un-
touched. A shortstopper possessed of
1he normal complement of limbs and
', NO
sides an ornament also would be ac-
ceptable. not to mention AN outfielder
who can go and get 'em without re-
HuirinS net to scoop up grounders.
and couple of pitchers capable of
working more than six innings with
out blowing.
These are the parts for his 1922 ma
Chine that Griffith is going shopping
for in New York this week. AS bait
he has bunch of athletes of con-
siderable worth. although useless
here. a rare line of insidious chatter
and checkbook. Between them
Christmas present is in prospect for
the fans Then they'll all believe in
Santa Claus.
No News ms to Manager.
For the time being the question of
who will succeed Mcbride as 4
aser of the team must remain m..,-
ter of speculation. To date all queries
on the subject have been parried
Many of the fans believe Milan will
fail heir to the mantle. They recall
that Zeb had the team travelling
dizzy pace during the period he was
IN charge last summer and believe
he is entitled to a chance to demon
strate his qualities as a leader. There
is little doubt a majority of the Ma
tionals' supporters would welcome
his appointment.
Managers of proved worth are fully
~
Griff assumes panied expression
when the name of Johnny Evers. at
present jobless is mentioned; dis
plays an utter and convincing lack
of enthusiasm regarding inquiries as
to Hughey Jennings. status and
die Collins for number of reasons.
one being that Owner Comiskey is
wholly disInclined to do business
with any of Ban Johnson's supporters.
Training Starts February -.
Plans for the apportionment Of
players for spring training already
have been outlined. 1t is the present
intention of Griffith to personally
start inspection of the rawest of his
recruits at Tampa on Monday. Feb
ruary %. with the more season hurl-
ers arriving one week later and the
regulars seven days thereafter.
March Is. Griff hopes by this pro-
ceuuTel TO nave tne youngsters IN
shape to provide real batting practice
for the regulars right at the out
set. and al the same time furnish an
accurate aine on the capabilities of
the fiedgling fingers. Practice games
with the Boston Braves. who will
train at st. Petersburg or Orlando.
will be played during the condition
ing period and will accompany the
Nationals for exhibition games en-
route north. when Tampa is evacuated
the first of April. One week only
will be spent on tour with the Bean
here Saturday and Sunday, April 8
and 9. just prior to the opening of
tn" championship campaign.
{. Work on enlarging the plant at 9TH
and Florida avenue is proceeding
rapidly. Practiclly half of the new
porary wooden affairs already have
been completed. The foundations for
the right field pavilion extension
now are ready for the superstruc-
iure. nd the big left pavilion has
lost its roof preparatory to being
double decked and connected with the
grandstand These improvements,
which will add approximately 5000,
to the seating capacity. will cost
s95.000. according to estimates fur
of the District.
O'Rourke's Arm Improving.
Local club officials are much en-
couraged over the results of the
treatments Frank O'Rourke is taking
to strengthen his throwing arm Ac-
cording to President Griffith, the
muscles. which have been practically
paralyZed as result of disuse fol-
lowing an injury four or five years
ago. are responding to scientific mas
sage and baking. His physician VEN
lures the opinion he may regain the
r.,I = se
be determined until he actually tests
it out ORourke's treatments will
continue for another two weeks, and
then he will rest his arm until he