Evening star., 1922-02-21

Although not given to boasting, 1t
IS known that Johnson shares with
his boss the belief that this will prove
the most successful season he has en-
arm failed him for the first time in
his long career, in 1919. johnson was
so upset he could not make good use
of what effectiveness he retained. He
was so worried over the ailment that
he was thrown off his stride COM
pletely. and his recovery was retard-
ed by the experiments he resorted to
with different styles of delivery. the
mental hazard handicapped him even
last year, when he no longer expert
enceG any pain in his salary wing,
and it was not until midseason that
his state Of mind underwent the
change necessary for him to make
full use of his capabilities.
1t will be recalled that during the
last half Of the 1921 campaign john
son more closely resembled the
Walter of old than at any time since
the trouble in his arm developed, and
more than one of the crack httters OF
the circuit testified that during Au-
gust and September he seemed to
buzz that fast one through with as
much hop on it as when he was at the
height of his prowess.
Barney Must Set the Pace.
johnson finally has become con-
WINGED that the old soreness In his
arm has completely disappeared. This
being the case, it should occasion no
great surprise if he won between
twenty-five and thirty games this
summer. With Barney setting the
pace, Mogridge delivering only 10 tne
extent he did last season, and Two OF
hand to supplement the efforts of
Erickson and Zachary, 1t requires no
great stretch Of the imagination 10
picture the Nationals anywhere from
ten to fifteen games better on next
fall than they were on October 2,
have acquired in other departments,
and this would land them at or pretty
close to the top.
On two occasions Johnson almost
in 1912 and 1s1s-and in 1918 they
did not fall far short Of the marx.
In the war year the Red Sox copped,
winning rs games and losing 81, tne
Indians finishing second with 1S WINS
and 81 defeats, while the Griffs ran
third with ~ victories and Sc re-
verses. Johnson rang up 2S trl-
umphs and dropped 13 in that alb
breviated campaign, and there are
some wise base ball men willing 10
wager he will do proportionateiy pet,
ter in the full season this year-and
get more support from his hurting
johnson Informed his boss that he
Il busy disposing Of stock and other
property on his place near Coneyviite, S
Kans.. which he has sold, but that ne
will have all his business attended 70
i'm time to report at Tampa with the
second squad on Monday, Marcn Q,
which Is the date Manager Milan VIII
assume charge of training at tne
zeb already is at Hot Springs get
ting in shape for his first whirl at
piIoting and is quoted in dispatches
from the resort as being connoeht
his entry will prove prime FACTOR
In the pennant chase.
Brancis and Miller Sign.
The slowly dwindling list OF un-
signed washington players has been
reduced by two with the acceptance
of terms by Ray Francis and RalPn
Miller, announced today at local head
quarters.
Lining up this pair Of southpaw
supposed at first glance, for, with
Tom Phillips, the New Orleans right
handler, they are the most hlenly re-
Earded of the recruits from whom
must come assistance Tor the auartses
such a hit with Clark Griffith in sub
iugating the Nationals in an exh1bl-
r;on game at Bloomington last sum-
sner, sent his document In from Vim,
ton. Iowa. Bing's brother said he had
kent busy out of doors with tasks
about the farm all winter. and is in
the best of health. He is one Of those
rare specim menS-a young left-nander
with better than fair control-in ad.
dition to a promising assortment OF
stuff, and Griff Is hopeful he proves
equal to the unusual stunt OF making
good in his first year with the big
show.
Merced, Calf, a small town In the
southern section Of the state. where
he makes his home. Although with
the second division Seattle club OF the
Pacific Coast League, Francis generally
was rated as the most effective soutnpaW
in the circuit last year, and compe-
tent Judges have opined that he is
ripe for the majors. At the recent
American League meeting here Ty
Cobb, who batted against him in the
California Winter League. asserted
Francis impressed him as most
promising prospect.
The signing Of Francis and Miller
leaves Mogridge. Zachary. woodward
and Turk as the only pitchers still
I,ut s}da the fold.