The Washington times., 1921-03-27

nant hunt this year.
Because. of McBride's diffidencs
merely that the Griffmen should e,
they happen to have good luck rie
they may finish in the first three.
With the exception Of a pitcher or
two, each and every one of the
athletes is in fine fettle, well able to
face the coming exhibition series
with equanimty, even though he doesn't
know what that may mean. The
weather here has been perfect, not a
day has been wasted and the result
may be seen in the bronzed, healthy
faces of the players. Mike Martin
has been working his head off to
keep the lads in line.
AMERICANS EXPECT VICTORY.
He has been. successful. Therefore.
there is joy in the camp and every
confidence that the coming series to
be played with the New York Giants
will be an American League victory.
George Mcbride has had no troubles
with any Of his squad. They have
worked hard to flt themselves for the
coming campaign. From now on 1t
should be easy for them to keep in
condition, leaving the trials and
tribulations to their manager.
at is foolish to pick out place
where you expect to finish" says the
Griffs new leader. That isn't the
way I'm starting in, either. All
can say Is that IL hard work and at
tention to details can bring success,
] ought to have that success, what
ever 1t may be. I certainly am will
ing to give every bit of myself to
make the Washington club a winner"
The first and most important puzzle
facing the Griffmen's leader is the
pitching staff. There Is not a green
finger in the bunch. Every one has
had at least one complete season
under the main tent.
And yet that squad offers many
questions not to be answered until
the summer is well under way
QUESTION AS TO JOHNSON. s..
Walter Johnson collapsed last year
for the first time in his career. Can
he come back? None can do more than
guess. II he does, a heavy load will
slip from McBride's shoulders. Right
now, we would say that everything
favors Johnson.
Jim Shaw, reporting overweight.
has advanced only slowly. He COM
plains of a stitch in his thigh every
time he steps out to deliver the ball
He may not be ready for the opening
of the season on this account.
AL Schacht and Jose Acosta are now
ready to pitch major league ball, but
neither is giant and the question
arises as to how long they Will be
able to endure the pace.
Jezebel Tecumseh Zachary is in
grand form. He could pitch a cham
pionship game today. Zachary is sure
TO be dependable from the. beginning.
Harry Courtney, while not inclined
to rush things here, has recovered
from his lame arm and should be
ready by April 13 unless he meets
with a setback somewhere.
Olaf Erickson, intended more as
relief pitcher than a regular starter,
has been looking good He is using
a sort of half side-arm and half under
hand delivery. which has been en-
tirely effective here. He has no trouble
with his patented trick knee now.
READY FOR BELL.
George Mogridge. the veteran
southpaw, is ready for the bell. He
has been experimenting with slow
ball for use with his fine curve and
fair speed If he can control his slow
one, MDogridge may win many game
for the Griffmen this season.,
Frank Brewers pitching ability re-
mains to be tested II has been sew
eral years since he toiled on the hill
as a regular thing, and it may re-
quire whole season Of hard prac-
tice before he may be called a major
league pitcher.
Manager McBrides task for the
early weeks of the season will be to
select a regular quartet to work in
turn. Today Zachary, Mogridge,
Schacht, and Acosta shape up as the
best with Johnson or Erickson maxi
ing the fifth choice. As Shaw and
tnI t.a 20
be of the first four, Washington fans
may get some idea of the puzzle
facing Mcbride, who has two weeks
in which to find half Of his first-string
pitching squad.
Frank ORourke seems to have
cinched his job at shortstop. He is
not forcing his arm any, being con-
tent with getting the ball across the
infeld on a loop rather than on a
line. He gives every indication of be-
ing a grand shortstop, though, once
the season begins. His hitting is none
too heavy. but he is not expected to
be a slugger.
SECOND PROBLEM FOR MCBRIDE.
Whether Frank Ellerbe or Deeby
Foss holds down third base on April
I3 is the second puzzle facing Man
ager Mcbride. Ellerbe has been
.mashing the ball on the nose ever
since reporting here, but his fielding
for the regulars has earned him no
applause. Ellerbe may be forced off
he bag by Foss, last years star
third -sacker for the Tampa club.
ross is better fielder, is faster on his
feet, a better and more accurate
pegger. and looks to be a dangerous
batsman in a pinch II Foss is given
the edge over Ellerbe, IT won't be for
Ids hitting so much as for his supe-
-ior fielding and speed on his feet.
What to do with Frank Brewer so
as to take advantage of his batting
~ the third puzzle facing Manager
!TcBride. There seems small chance
N Brewers breaking into the out
ield with such real gardeners as Bing
s.,Ilar and Eddia CochaI