The New York herald., 1922-03-26
MGRAW'S MEN NOT
TOO FAR ADVANCED
Nehf, Barnes and Toney Give
Promise of Doing Great
Work in Box.
TO CALL YOUNG PITCHERS
At Least Two Will Be Added
to the Champions Regular
Twirling Staff.
by DANIEL.

by DANIEL.
Special Dispatch to TIE New York HERALD.
DALLAS, Tex, March 25.-Now that
the Giants have taken to the road it
seems fitting to pass up the recruits
for the time being and let the veterans
pass in review. The world champions
are not as well advanced in their
training as are other clubs, but we
would say that they are in better
shape, as team. than they We're when
they broke camp at San Antonio last
year.
The Giants have the usual ills anG
aches to which a major league club
falls heir in March. But there is no
serious trouble and if everything moves
along right they ought to open their
defense OF the National League pen
nant far better prepared for the fight
than were the New Yorks in April,
1921. The pitchers have been a bit
backward, but they have not been
pressed hard in the last fortnight. No
body among the veterans has been
forced along in the last two weeks.
John McGraw made a great start at
San Antonio and for about ten days had
MS men speeding along at too rapid
gait. Then he called halt and let
the veterans work themselves into con-
dition as they saw fit. He has a lot
of conscientious players and could afford
10 adopt that policy without fear OF
their taking advantage of him. Not even
when he saw the pitchers fail against
the White Sox did he call for more
speed. AS he explained 1t. losing a few
games to the Chicagoes was nothing
fatal. particularly since the White Sox
pitchers had had two weeks at Marlin
and were so much ahead of the New
York hurlers in their conditioning
process.
Nehf Well Advanced.
Just now we would say that Art Nehf
is in better shape than any Of the other
pitchers He has shown some fine work
against the White Sox: that without
forcing himself. He seems to us to
he In better physical shape than we
have seen him at this stage In sew
eral years. We got to San Antonio with
a hangover from the grip and for
:, spell found himself tagging. But he
gradually found himself physically-and
looks like McGraw's best bet to face
the Dodgers in the opening battle at the
Polo Grounds on April IL.
Jess Barnes has had his ups and
downs He says his arm feels better
than 1t has felt In March in the last
four years. He says he is etrong--and
he is not handicapped as he was last
season by his wife's illness. He Is not
Inclined to worry about his dismal failure
sgainst the White Sox last Sunday ana
faces the season with confidence.
Phil Douglas Is practically q new
arrival In camp. but he Is In great
shape Phil worked hard at Birming-
ham for several weeks before reporting.
and he is lighter than we have seen him
in many years. There IS every indica-
fion that he has been behaving and that
he has taken McGraw's warning to
heart. Douglass salary this year VIII
,Iepend a great deal on whether he be-
hayes-and Phil is determined to get
The double pay which will come to him
IL he sticks to the straight and narrow
path.
AS for Fred Toney. who reported late
after an attack of abscesses In an ear.
he looks far better than we had ex-
pected. His pitching against Indianap-
oils last Thursday showed that he was
working himself into form at an en-
courasing gait and that he VIII DO ready
when the big gong rings. When Toney
got to San Antonio he told us that he
feared ne would not be ready for the
opening OF the season. But he has cast
these fears aside.
May Call Second Team Men.
RYAN. Causey and Shea are away
with the second team, working hard and
trying to impress on McGraw the de-
STABILITY Of recalling them to the resu-
lars. IT seems likely that McGraw will
send for at least two OF them when he
gets to Fort Worth on Monday. Ryan.
according TO reports. is improving fast,
and Shea 10 getting his bearings. There
Is no question that Ryan has as much
stuff as any other pitcher In the big
league. but he Is at times inclined to
assume the wrong mental attitude. He
Is big, good natured boy. and baseball
does not seem TO be a serious proposition
with him. Everything Is joke-but
we look for a change. Bill got a lengthy
talk from McGraw before he went away
with the seconds. and he promised to
discard the Joke theory.
The catchers are coming along rather
slowly. Snyder still Is overweight and
IN fOL as ptbpcEV dS nc was f6St NldTCU
when he began to throw them hard and
accurate as soon as the Giants started
work. But let there be no fears about
Fancho. Earl Smith has been handi-
capped by a bad ankle and then sore
leg. which has given better chance to
AleciS CASTOR. He WIN do bit OF catch
ing this summer we imagine.
The infield has been kept back in It's
development by injuries. George Kelly
is coming along In fine style after re-
porting late following an attack of In
fuenza which cost him ten pounds. He
still looks little peaked, but his field-
ing is satisfactory lie hasn't got his
eye on the ball yet
Frisch Flashy as Ever.
Frank Frischs spike wound retarded
him considerably, but he is hard work.
ing. willing young man and he Is MAX
ing up for lost time. He is covering
!ct of ground-working In his own
flashy style. Frank has been hitting
quite satisfactorily ami should prove a
real sensation around tho keystone.
Dave Bancroft is heavier than ever
before In his llfe-and he wants TO stay
that way. lie II not 30 heavy that II
slows him up. lie is In far better shape.
Ia no far as his mental attitude and or
ruryr conditions arc concerned than he
was last season But he is suffering
with a slight strain. He got II while
hunting here before the training season
Ievan Ifc frudred t,ffea througI, ,,,,,a