The Washington times., 1921-04-11

what do we think? Well. after
peekfng at the gang all spring. we
think Mcbride will be in trouble with
sooner. This is the principal weak
after the campaign is on. II not
sooner. This is the principal week
ness in the Griffs right now, some
thing which alone keeps them from
being contenders.
There is too much 'if' connected
with the Washington clubs chances.
u is "if''' this and ''if" that. II Nc
Bride could get away from all those
''ifs." or even few of them, he might
be considered a possible leader of
team in the approaching series for
the biggest baseball title OF all.
President Griffith is already think
ing OF bolstering the pitching stan,
though he has nobody in sight. Once
the season is on. he will scour the
country, seeking hurlers, knowing
that they will be needed by the time
the hot weather is upon us.
TWO BIG "IFs.-
The two biggest "ifs" facing Man
ager Mcbride are these:
"Ir' Walter Johnson can win at
least twenty ball games and take
part in twice that number. the Griffs
will be there.
ar Jim Shaw can equal his work
Of three or four years ago forming
the nucleus Of the corps with John
son. the Grints'll be there.
Manager Mcbride is going to have
trouble answering these two ques-
tions for several weeks yet. Johnson
is no longer q youngster. He Is en-
tering upon his fifteenth season with
the Washington club this week. Last
year he suffered for the first time
iameness in his pitching arm al
though he did succeed in reaching
that long-sought-for goal, q no-hit.
no-run game.
This spring Barney has warmed up
veil enough. but has pitched exactly
eight innings, three against the regu-
lers at Tampa, one against Bill Dono-
vans Phillies at Jacksonville and
four against the Giants here. 1t is
with this scant practice that the big
fellow starts upon his fifteenth cam
,aign Just what he will do is
mystery.
SHAW ANOTHER 'TF.'
Jim Shaw had wonderful success
with the shine ball now banned. Last
year he had trouble getting back his
curve ball, so we were told, until the
season was half gone. He pitched
some good games. though, in the wan
ing weeks and was expected to be
available for spring performances
this year.
But Shaw has been pitiful He re-
ported overweight He has shown al
most no control since beginning work
and Manager Mcbride is at his wits
end for an answer to the question.
There are other "ifs," too. in the
Washington hurting corps. serious
ones, which initiate considerably
against the success of the ball club.
FOR instance, who can tell how long
either Al Schacht or Jose Acosta can
,tAnd the strain of big league pitch
mgr
who can say that Olaf Erickson
won't develop his old-time timidity
in the face Of certain clubs, like the
Yankees. for oneT
Who can say that 'Andsoms AIRY
Courtney will equal his good work OF
asst year?
ZACHARY LOOKS GOOD.
OF all the Washington pitchers,
fczebel Tecumseh Zachary alone
ooks good, offering no worries to his
manager. Zachary, when worked In
urn. Is q steady, capable pitcher. II
rot compelled to work out of turn. he
will win more games than he loses
this year, and this isn't . great "if."
,dther. 1t II a practical certainty.
George Mogridge was obtained by
Clark Griffith largely to act as re-
ief twirler. but by the looks of things
,e may be compelled to start games
his spring. And who can say how
rong he can get away with it7 He is
10 rookie.
oh, YES. there are other "ifs," but
hey are not so important The most
Important is 'Tr' a third baseman is
found in Dceby Foss, the infeld will
70 as good as any in the league.
lIaying Hank Shanks on the hot
orncr is manifest confession that the
nfield will not compare with some
theirs this season.
Hank Shanks is a clever outfelder