The Washington herald., 1922-09-03
WASHINGTON CLUB
SPENDS $4,000 FOR
FOUR new PLAYERS
President Griffith Buys
/. Two Outielders, Third
Baseman and Pitcher.
By RAY HELGEsEN.

That the Washington American
League Baseball Club win be reno
waited before the barrier goes up on
next years sweepstakes appears
more than probable. New blood in
the outfeld. possibly a new third
baseman. and at least two new
pitchers. one OF whom has already
made one trip TO the majors will
be injected into the lineup In ac-
cordance with President Clark c.
Grifith's plan OF building up the
Nationals.
Griff was optimistic at the be-
ginning OF the present season. He
felt certain that he had a first divi-
sion club and even saw the Ma
tionals lighting for the pennant
when In particularly friendly mood.
But four short months and 1000
or more disappointment have
shown him that the Washington
club cannot 20 far or 20 there very
fast as II Is constituted At present
New blood is an absolute neces-
sity. Milan has the foundation OF
a winning ball club: but the supsr-
structure is weak. Here and there
are stars but the club as a whole
as IL does on paper-which is i'm
portant to say the least.
Spends $4,000 for Players
Because President Grirath has
promised the fans a club that will
be in there fighting for the pennant
he has already paid out over $4,000
for new players with the prospect
of the bank roll diminishing stiu
more before the training trip rolls
around next spring.
While touring the bushes ten
days ago President Grifith bought
outright four players. three stars
Of the American Association and
one of the Western League. All ~
them are youngsters. Two are out
fielders, one a pitcher and the other
third baseman. For these four
prospects Grin signed checks which
are worth s7o.o0O II properly en-
dorsed.
The outnelders are Fisher. Of the
st. Joe club OF the Western League.
and Dick Wade. of the Minneapolis
club Of the American Association.
Wade is the best known of the two.
Major league scouts who have seen
his work this season declare that
poets in the minors. the other two
being Pacific Coast League younE-
sters
Both Cleveland and Chicaco os
the American League and Pitts
burgh Of the National League wer.
after Wade. Grifith. however. beat
them 10 the youngster. Grin has
some kind Of an arrangement with
"Pongo" Cantillion whereby the
Washington club is given the pick
Of the Millers each season. always
providing, OF course. that the two
clubs get together on the price
Wade cost the Washington club
100000 and the services OF Tom
Phillips, the New Orleans hurIer.
who was with the Griffs for a wh.e
early in the season.
With a batting percentage Of .3.7
Wade ranked eleventh among the
Association siuggers. Five others
hit better than .327. but partici-
pated in less than one-third Of the
games Wade did. The new Grif-
man felded for a percentage 90
.s55. stole eight bases and drove N
1876 runs during the season. H.
bats left handed and throws right
handed.
Participating in ls3 games last
season, Fisher. OF the St Joe club
Of the Western League. hu .35s,
drove out fourteen home runs. stole
eight bases and had a fielding aver
age Of .926. Though not partiCu-
larly fast. President Griffith says
he is a slugger and one OF the
cleanest hitters he has seen in
years. This year Fisher is cloutinE
the ball for percentage OF S7a
and Is fielding far better than last
season. Grin paid $4,000 for
Fisher. who won't report until next
spring. in Tampa
Conroy. of Minneapolis. is the
third basemsn rGriffith attached
strings to for a spring trial He
has been sick most Of the present
season and is just beginning 10
find himself again, but Cantillion
claims he is one OF the best IN
fielders in the country. His present
hitting average is around $40.
Earl Smith and $4,000 in cash 60
to the Millers in exchange for pitcher
HollinEsworth. He will probably
reort while the Griffs make their
last swing through the West
HolinGsworth was with Pitts
burgh last year but failed TO get a
chance to show his wares. He finished
a couple Of games this year but when
the Pirates made a deal with the
Millers for Reb Russell. Cantillion
insisted that Hollingsworth 20 TO the
Millers in addition to a bunch Of cash.
P"ngo likes the boys actions and
fatty refused to let 20 Of Russell un-
less he got Hollinsworth. Dreyfuss
wasn't anxious TO let the youngster
60 hut when IL came 10 a question Of
keeping him or failing to get the slug
ging Russell he changed his mind
President Griffith has two or three
other prospects whom he will look
over before the season ends. He hasn't
named them but it is probable he will
take another look at them when the
Griffs make their last Western inva-
sion.