Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-26
CRIFF SIGNS
PAnROFKIDS
Outfelder Goebel and
Infelder Marhafka
Are in Line.
By Denman Thompson.

~ NE of the trio of newcomers
II who are expected to contest
with Milan. Rice and Lewis,
veteran>hychasers, for berth in the
garden with the Nationals this
year has taken the first step neces-
sary in this difficult assignment by
sending in his signed contract He
is Eddie Goebel, the Brooklyn
youngster, purchased last fall on the
strength OF the showing he made
with the Springfield club OF the
Eastern League. Goebel expressed
himself as well satisfied with the
terms offered, said he welcomed the
chance to demonstrate his worth
and voiced the opinion that If try
ing hard alone were necessary he
would be with the team all season.
roebePs spirit is commendable. The
proper frame of mind is an essential
for youngster trying to break into
fast company. but Goebel will dis
cover that what he faces is no incon-
siderable task when he starts to
match his wares against those past
masters Of the art OF gardening who
are slated for patrol duty. and the
same applies to Bob McHugh and Blng
Miller, the other strangers who will
don the uniforms of a major league
team for the first time at Tampa in
March, provided Judge Lands rules
against the claim of Pittsburgh in the
case of Miller.
Veterans Are Formidable.
Milan, Rice and Lewis compose a
trio not ideal, but we'll balanced as to
speed, batting power and throwing
ability. Above all, they possess ex-
perience, l. weighty factor, and the
recruits will have to demonstrate an
place either Milan or Lewis. Rice hav-
ing a. strangle hold on his job.
Although the prospects Of ousting
any of the veterans is not particularly
bright, there will be plenty of incen-
tive for the recruits to work hard, for
one of them is almost sure to be car
ried in a reserve capacity. Milan and
and cannot be expected to travel at
top speed throughout the stretch of
the campaign without an occasional
vacation. Both have reached the
stage of brittleness where they arc
more than ordinarily prone to mishaps
and illnesa and it will be essential to
have some one hanging around ready
to step in and fill their shoes in the
event of accident. This assures a
merry battle between the trio Of new
corners already lined up. and there may
be more to battle with them before
the start south is made.
Signs Young InfeIder.
That President Griffith does not in
tend to stand pat on the twenty-nine
athletes he recently named as COM
posing his Tampa squad is shown by
his announcement that he has added
another candidate for an infield
berth in the person Of Tony Marhafka,
a native of Shamokin, Pa, in the coal
belt. which has produced so many able
diamond performers. Marhafka last
hem team of the Steel League. His
work at shortfield in that circuit was
such that qualified judges concede
him q fine chance to make good in fast
company. Marhafka is said to resem =
BILE Milan somewhat in build and. like
,, Zeb. is endowed with great speed OF
foot, but Griff has no first-hand in
formation as to his qualifications.
HuEgins Fails to Stop Here.
II Miller Higgins intended to stop
off in Washington on his way north
from Dover Hall, Ga. to confer with
Clark Griffith in regard to a trade
of Frank Baker and Wa1ly Pipp for
Joe Judge he has either changed his
| mind about making the offer or de-
ferred his visit. A dispatch from
New York today said Higgins had ar
rived there direct from his vacation
| in the south and is busying himself
| making final plans for the training
season. It was said he intended to
open negotiations with other clubs
including the st. Louis Browns, for a
series of trading deals. but no fur
| Their mention is made of the proposed
swap with the Nationals.
Business Manager Shettsline. in CIV
ing out the schedule of exhibition
games for the Phillies. announces
that two will be played with the Ma
| tionals in Gainesville in March and
! two more at Jacksonville. This as
sures the Nationals a total of half a
dozen contests with the Ouakers in
addition to the seven listed with the
New York Giants, for Griff's plans
call for at least two games with Bill
| Donoyan's henchmen in Tampa.
| Valentine Picinich. Pat Gharrity's
| understudy as hrst-string backstoT
| of the Nationals, and & combination
| of Barney Oldfeld and Ralph De
Palma in his spare moments, is In our
busy midst, having motored here from
his home in Jersey ION business" II
| is assumed the business in question
concerns his 1921 contract. Pick is
the guest OF his former teammatc,
Eddie Foster, who commutes daily
between his garage here and his home
in Chcrrydale.