Evening star., 1922-01-15

he is to boss, for Jew athletes enJ
Milan by both players aid public W
Milan is one of the real veterans of
big league base ball. both as to age
and service. He was born at Linden.
Tenn. thirty-seven years ago. and got
his first professional experience In
the North Texas League in 1905 with
the team representing Clarksville.
where he now makes his home IN the
winter That year he was shifted to
McAllister of the Oklahoma state
League. In 1906 he was with Shawnee
of the same circuit. and before the
end of the season moved up notch
TO Wichita of the Western Associa-
tion.
1t was from this club on August %,
1907, that he was purchased by wash
ington. and he has been here ever
since, being one of the comparatively
few players whose entire career has
been spent with one club. johnson
and Shanks are the others in this
category on the local roster. Walter
having arrived the same season as
Milan. with Howard drifting in five
years later. This trio alone Is left OF
the talent here when Griffith took the
reins in 1912.
Milan Ranks With Stars.
In starting his sixteenth season as a
major Lacquer. but for the first time
a manager. Milan will have the bene-
flt of experience gained in career
emitting him to rank with the star
gardeners of two decades. Always
potential 300 hitter, although exceed
ing this figure on only three occasions
BIS in 1911, .30S in 1912 and 1922
had good whip and for years was
regarded as one of the fastest men in
base ball. winning the base-stealing
laurels in 1912 with eighty eight
lat sod
by Cobb with ninety-eight in 1918.
and again topping the list in 1913
with seventy-four.
Although his managerial experience
has been limited to only few days.
there are sound reasons for believing
Milan will prove successful in his
new role. Washington fans base
their confidence in him largely on the
showing he made while subbing dur
ing McBride's Injury last summer.
when under his leadership the Ma
tionals turned in eight of the eleven
victories they attained to establish a
seasons record for consecutive wins.
Milan's personal achievements in
the field during his brief term as pi-
lot will not soon be forgotten by the
fans. His hitting was hard and time
ly, his throwing rivaled that of the
best he showed in his prime and he
seemed as fast on his feet as he ever
vas.
Haadles Pitchers Clevefly.
Gut the most significant thing
about his work then, aside from the
fact that he seemed endowed with
the rare attribute of inspiring those
under him with his own up-and-do
tanned in handling pitchers. Accord
ing to Griffith, the principal fault of
most managers (and he includes him.
selD is their failure to remove in
time a boxman who is wabbling, or
their inability to recognize the symp-
toms of impending collapse (but
here he pleads not guilty..
Milan demonstrated keen knowl-
edge OF physical condition and an
appreciation of the psychology of
situations on all occasions during
his tenure at the helm. this. fact be-
ing generally commented upon at the
time. Griff believes Zeb possesses
that uncommon ability to sense the
proper spot for yanking = faltering
twirler and to this Is Ode in large
he has picked the right man to di-
rect the club.
In his letter accepting the man.
agership, Milan voiced optimism over
the prospects of the team, now that
the hole at short has been plugged
but asserted he was particularly
anxious to get the pitchers in the
best possible shape for the opening
OF the campaign. and suggested train
ing for them be undertaken at an
alive to the fact that the success
of the team depends upon the effec-
tiveness displayed by the mounds
men, and his view that q long pre-
paratory session is essential is shared
by Griff.
Kids to Report February 20.
To allow all the time considered
necessary to get the numerous
wares they possess. If any, it has
been decided that those classed as
young" or recruits" will be ordered
to report at Tampa Sunday, February
Is. to start actual work the fol-
lowing day. under the direction of
President Grifiith and Manager Milan
There will be ten beavers in this
crowd, according to present plans.
They include Southpaws Courtney, If
he still is on the roster at that time;
Ray Francis of Seattle. Ralph Mil
ler of Bloomington and j.. B. Brill
hart. Virginia collegian. and Right
handlers Slim McGrew Of Galveston,
Joe Gleason of Shreveport, Tom
Phillips of New Orleans. Frank
Woodward of New Haven. N. L. Turk
product of Newberry College, 8. c.
Two catchers will be taken along
to work with them, probably Ricardo
Torres and Danny Noone. the latter
a young Washington sandlot star,
who has the makings of a great ma
tural hitter.
A week later the older batterymen
Zachary, Mogridge. johnson and
Erickson, with Charity and Picinich
will put in their appearance and
after the lapse Of another week, on
March IS, the infielders and fly
chasers will report. although some
Of the younger ,. ones. such as La
Goslin. may be summoned earlier.
This will give the kid pitchers more
than six weeks Of prepping and al
low little over a month for the
regulars.
Hot Springs for Veterans.
Some Of the veterans will go to
Hot Springs for the baths prior to
journeying Ito Florida. johnson,
Charity. Bush, Shanks and. possibly.
Mosridge. will comprise the squad to
go to the spa for q couple of weeks
Business Of sending contracts to
the Nationals has been delayed by
lack of the official documents. which
this season have been revised in some
minor respects, but q supply of the
new forms is expected within a few
days when they will be promptly dis
contract. in addition to Pilot Milan.
are Harris, Noone, La Motto and
O'Shaughnessy.
O'Shaughnessy is q young infielder
who became a free agent when the
League was disbanded last summer.
He is we'll recommended. hut little
actually is known Of his ability.