Evening star., 1921-03-04

available will be withdrawn, leaving
getting into line at a greatly reduce
other than base ball for living.
1t would seem that Griffith has been
more than fair with Judge regarding
the question of salary. Although the
boss of the Nationals makes it rule
never to discuss for publication finan-
Cial arrangements with his players.
believing that fans are interested in
what the athletes accomplish on the
field rather than the size of the en-
velopeS they draw Semi-monthly. it
is known that Griff has been generous
in his dealings with Judge in respect
10 salary. Least season Josephus
signed a two-year agreement for an
annual stipend in excess of $4,000.
Got Bonus Last Year.
At the close of the campaign he was
given bonus of rather liberal pro-
portions in recognition of his good
work, and when he bewailed the fact
that he was bound for another sea-
son at salary he considered made
quate. In view of the fine record he
made with the stick. Grin volun-
reered to tear up the agreement. This
be did. and in the contract sent to
Judge this year were inserted figures
calling for a very SiZable boost over
the total of his contract salary and
bonus combined in 1920.
The raise failed to jibe with the
ideas of his worth entertained by
Judge. who. imbued with the propa-
Eanda spread in the New York news
! papers, demanded a salary in the fVe-
figure class, and suggested to Grin
that if the Washington club could not
afford to meet his demands he should
be traded to some team that could
and would pay him what he considers
himself to be worth.
GrifY countered by informing Joe
that he was altogether unimpressed
by his argument; that in releasing the
player from an agreement he could
have made him fulfill. and in giving
him a new contract calling for gem
erous increase he had been more than
4 liberal. Now he goes even farther.
Judge will sign at the terms offer
! ed and report here for work March 13
or all negotiations will be ended.
Griff asserted today. He got more
money last season than the Yankees
ever paid first baseman and the sal
ary he now is demanding is prepos-
ferrous. If he doesn't get in line at
the time specified the present oner to
him will be withdrawn. and if he
makes up his mind later that he
wants to play, he will have to accept
a sum considerably less than that now
available for him. OF one thing Judge
can rest assured, he never will play
with the New York team nor any
other club but Washington. Stick
up tactics don't go with me. He can
take what is offered now. consider
ably less after March 13. or remain
out Of organized base ball altogether.
It's up to him"
Anxious ~ to Lewis.
Griff is particularly anxious that
Duffy Lewis should be in shape to travel
at top speed from the opening days OF
the season. and has given hinrv special
instructions regarding the training pro- |
gram he is to follow at Hot Springs with
that end in view. Lewis always has
been a slow starter. His record with
both the Red Sox and Yankees in the
past shows that for the first two or
three weeks he never has been able to
hit for much more than the size OF his
hat. AS he usually is placed IN one OF
the cleanup positions because Of his
penchant for producing pelts when they
are productive his tardiness in getting
his batting optics properly focused has
hampered his teams in getting OF to a
good start-something all base ball
bosses prize highly. Lewis sent word
that he had no uniform, and was told
TO not let that worry him, but to get
his arm. his legs and his wind in good
shape.
IF Duffy does that at Hot Springs
wen see that he gets plenty of bat
ting practice when he arrives here
Griff said today. Lewis Will get
longer batting drills than any mem
bcr Of the squad to have him ready
TO step out at his best pace from the
outset If his batting eye still is
a little dim in spite Of the intensive
practice mapped out for him. Bng Mil
Ter may start the season in left field
Yes Miller will be with us, all right.
Bing is one of those early birds, at his
best in the spring, and we are going
TO take advantage of this fact by hav-
ing him in either left or right field
when the curtain goes up. You prob
ably noticed that Miller did most Of
. Eel in n n r2
paign. There is reason for that
The Southern Association is tough
league for a ball player to work in.
The hot weather prevailing in those
towns saps the strength ano ambition
of players. and any one who can play
-he string out and wind up with an
average of .322 for ISL games, as Mil
Ter did. should be able TO hit in any
league.
La Motto and AcOsta Arrive.
With the arrival of Bob T.amotte and
Acosta, only George Mogridge rerna ms
10 put in an app"ar ardnce 10 complete the
delegation of Nationals expected here at
this time. and the former Yankee left
handler is looked for today. Don Jose
is his usual quiet, capable self. as the
half portion hurler demonstrated in
the practice today, but la Motto has
altered greatly in appearance. Where
last fall he was the counterpart of
lyon Cassius." Bob has lost all traces
of that lean and hungry look and now
has TO use a shoe horn to get into his
uniform. He really is not much over
~eight--a matter of ten pounds or
so-and he easily can get rid of the
excess in a couple OF weeks. He is
fast on his feet. despite the handicap
OF toting the SuD"rtiuous avoirdupOis.
and gobbled up everything hammered
down his way in the fielding session.
la Motto may figure prominently in
the debate over the third base assign
Jnent.
CoIieGians Are Listed.
GriY has tentatively arranged for a
practice game here " fth the Southern
College team of Tidewater Fla. a
week from next Saturday. and has
concluded TO stage exhibitions be-
tween his regulars and rockies on
March 23 -. % ami &c. In addition
he has definitely boAked contests with
the Florida state League team at
Daytona March 28. and with fast
nine representing 81. Augustine
which claims the. amateur champion
ship of Florida, on March 20. this
means that the Nationals Will break
camp here the evening of Sunday.
March -.
To. ,riDkor 2. member of that far