Evening star., 1921-12-18

but the foundations for several pot
is intimated that something worth
forthcoming by the time the annua
League is held early in February,
OF tie players considered as availa-
side OF the infield only one remains a
possibility-Johnny Mitchell of the
Yankees This $4,000 sensation of
the 1920 coast league season found 1t
impossible to win a regular berth on
an inner works comprising Baker.
Peckinpaugh. Ward, McNally and
Fewster. in addition to Pipp. AS
result, he spent last season on the
bench, but. despite that fact. he is
f1ashy fielder and. being possessed of
a fine throwing arm. would strengthen
the Nationals at short from a de-
fensive standpoint He probably
would help the team but little on
attack, however, as he is only fair
hitter. with a pushing lyle that
tra-base blows.
Joe Schepner No Star.
Joe Schepner. third baseman Of the
champion Louisville club of the
American Association. who attracted
attention by his work in the little
world series that brought defeat to
Baltimore and who recently has been
touted as the most sought-after play
or in the minors. was not given
tumble by the moguls in Gotham.
Schepner is the athlete the Louis
vile owners announced they wanted
to realize enough on to build new
concrete grandstand and for whom
six or seven major league clubs were
supposed to be bidding. with one re-
ported willing to go as high as
$4,000. His press agent must have
run out of ammunition. however. for
Griff asserts he did not hear the
young mans name mentioned once
by men familiar with who's VINO
in the A. A. territory. This is IN
answer to a fan who read the pup
licity mans yarn and wrote to us
inuuiring why Washington did not
grab him.
The rumor that Roger Peckinpaugh
might be enticed from the Yankees
was baseless, according to GRIN. ana
absolutely no satisfaction was oo
tanned from mentioning the name OF
Joe Dugan to Connie Mack. 1t IS
said on good authority that the tenn
peramental third sacker is slated LOT
the gate in Philadelphia. where Mack
is disguised with his capriclous ten
denotes and where the fans nave thol.'
oughly soured ON him. but the lean
leader is a willy bird when 1t comes
to consummating deals and is asking
so much playing talent for ms pr1i-
liant, but erratic star. that bidders
are scared off.
Tough Job, Says Grin.
"It's the toughest job imaginable
trying to bag a good ball player, Is
the way Griff refers to his futiie el-
They're all willing enough to talk
trade, but when you pin 'em doWn
they want a whole lot for nothing
ax.all, There is nothing to be gained
by Strengthening club IN one spo.
at the expense of weakening II ~
in every deal broached to me.
IT'S possible / may be able to put
throueh some kind of swap Ior
Mitchell. He is at his best for break
ing. in now, twenty-five or tWentS
six, is very competent neIoer anu
well seasoned from several years OF
service in class AA ball, one OF them
with a pennant winning club. Inere
are some wrinkles to be 1roned out
before he can be obtained, however;
and there is no assurance the oeai
can be put through.
Wants One Real Pitcher.
~I'm not so much concerned about
that we are most in need of bolster
inK, 1 would like to get a hrst-ciass
nifcher. With one righthander
whose caliber is established l beiieVe
we could start without any mlSsN-
ings about providing the fans with
n team that would be contender al
the way. We already have corraled
some fingers of unusual promise
about the best looking bunch or un-
tried material we've ever had, ana ~
NAV be that some of them Will MI
the bill. but I'd feel more secure with
one more hurler of known quality.
topnotcher. know exactly what
We need and we are willing to go any
length to get 1t. except at the cost OF
giving up fellows like Harris and
Rice"
The Nationals are still without a
~anarer. Griff insists he has given
no thought to the question as yet
and may not make decision for
several weeks. In the meantime.
Clyde Milan is polling big vote
among the fans. q
Frank ORourke feels considerably
encouraged over the doctors reports
on the condition of his throwing arm.
Daily treatments will be contlnued
this week, then the shortstopperWlil
hike to his home in Elizabeth. n. j.,
and rest the wing until the caii 10
Tampa Is issued.
The Phillies, who will do their
training next spring at Leesburg,
fla, have applied for exhibitions
with the Nationals there and at Tam.
ma, They will be accomodated II
dates not interfering with the sched-
ule of the Griffs and Boston Braves
can be arranged.
-T