Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-09

of the fans. He will enter heartily
to safeguard its future. but his pril
yawning chasm at the far corner in
Aside from this one aching void
Griffith believes he has a pretty fair
combination already lined up for this
year-provided his pitchers come up
to expectationS-and he has reasons
for believing they will. The catching
staff, with the addition of Tony Brot-
tenn, whom Griff is confident will be
awarded Washington along with OUT
fielder Bing Miller Of the Little Rock
club. will be headed by the indefatig-
able and acourate-pegging Pat Char
rity, with Val Picinich and Ricardo
Torres to back him up.
For the outfleld. aside from Miller,
Clyde Milan, Duffy Lewis and the
The latter is star of the highest
rank, with Milan and Lewis still
steady and dependable despite their
advancing years.
Pitching stan Not Bad.
Topped by rejuvenated johnson
and a physically fit Shaw the mound
corps, including Zachary and Courtney
for lefthanders. and Erickson, Acosta
Snyder and Schacht. with Fisher.
Shirley and other newcomers battling
for berths, sizes up as a formidable
STAFF.
Only Sisler can be rated ahead OF
Judge at the initial station, although
admirers of McInnis may feel inclined
to argue the question, and Eddie Col
Inns alone has anything on Harris Tor
all round effectiveness at second
Griff is confident that the problem
of finding a real. honest-to-goodness
shortstop has been solved by landing
Frank O'Rourke from Toronto Of the
International League. ORourke is a
sure-enough ball player. who can hit
as well as field. His aggressiveness
peppery Harris around the Keystone
sack, and, like Stan. is capable Of using
his skull piece for something be-
sides a hatrack. The only flaw OBJ
servable in O'Rourke's work with
the Nationals last season was a kink
in the arm which made him appear
awkward in throwing. and he reports
that a visit to BoneSetter Reese has
eliminated that.
But the third basing assignment con-
tinues to battle. Fred Thomas can't
hit. Ellerbe has indicated promise Of
developing into a consistent hitter.
but leaves much to be desired in a
fielding way, and his headless base
running proved disastrous to the sue
cess Of the team on innumerable oc-
casions. Howard Shanks can fill the
bill in fairly acceptable style, but
Hank Is no demon with the bludgeon.
His mission properly is that OF utility
service, being capable Of acceptably
filling any post. either on the infield
OF in the garden.
Brewer May Sub. Teo.
Emergency duties probably also
will be the lot Of Frank Brewer, un-
less the former international League
slugger improves nightly in fly
chasing proves or surprises every
body by making good in the chance
Gff6 says he is to be given to demon
strate his ability as pitcher. Judges
well known susceptibility to injury
makes 1t almost essential to have an
understudy OF Brewers qualifications
hanging around. Frank can take care
Of the initial sack in pinch.
OF the athletes on the roster last
year and those to be added this spring
there are none who give much hope OF
third base. ONeill appears out of
place there, and grave doubt exists
as, to Jim's physical fitness for a
of the next eeets on he
Illness he is slowly recovering from.
la Motto. the agile infielder obtained
from Tommy Leach's Tampa team last
fa1l- is the most promising Of the lot.
the -malings of a first-class ball
player. He 10 a natural fielder. has a
6ne arm and is as fast as a streak.
but lacks the necessary experience.
He is none too sturdy a hitter. but is
expected to improve greatly in this
rSupecfSs 1t is a fact that two years
axe Harris couldn't hit nickers
w&fth. but with the proper coaching
improved to the extent of landing in
the 800 class last season.
pav Coed Ones In League.
GrlK b up against a tough PROPOSE
ton in his quest for third baseman
for the simple reason that there are
persuasion in the circuit. He will try
to develop one. Of course, but that re-
Quires time, and what he wants is an
athlete capable OF jumping in there
and delivering the goods this year.
worries Of their own on this score.
There is no chance of any one
Wheedling Larry Gardner away from
the champion Indians, and Connie
Mack has turned down some fiattering
offers for the temperamental Joe
Dugan, who, he has announced. will
play with the Athletics or nowhere.
Oscar Witt of the Red Sox. although
slowing. up. might do for a brief
Terms with Owner Frazee and prob
ably would encounter difficulties In
Ealing with him. AS for the Yankees.
q still is a debatab1e question who
yin cover the bag for them. Meusel
failed to shine at the task last sea-
son, and 1t may be necessary with
Pratt gone to place Fewster at sec
ond. leaving only Ward for the Tar
corner.
This brings in the question Of Frank
Baker. The former home run king.
a1Shough out Of active service last
1asson. remains the property OF the
Yankees. He retired voluntarily. and
S6ere is little question that Huggins
would be glad to make use OF him
himself il J. Franklin could be In.
duced to come back. II Baker OBJ
jected only to playing in New York
there is no doubt that Owners Rup-
pert and Huston would arrange to
turn him over to their friend, Comis-
key. but this apparently Is not the
case. Baker having announced he was
tired Of the game and wished merely
to retire to his well stocked acres at
Trappe. Md.
CRIT Sees Little Hope.
Grifith frankly admits he would
Jump at the chance to obtain Baker,
but in the same breath confessaS he
sees little hope of getting him. II
the Yankees were willing to trade
him they probably would insist on
obtaining either Rice or Judge in ex-
change. and this. Of course. would
end negotiations instanter. Washing
tons faint hope of obtaining Baker
is based on the possibility that Baker
might consent to play in Washington
Only because Of its proximity to Bal
tinsore, where his sister lives. which
would enable him to spend consider
able time with his children. Absence