The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-01-27

from start to finish. It is possiE
eran fast approaching the end @
himself left behind in the race fl
Reports from Boston say that
Frank L. Chance, due to arrive in
the Hub next week. will make over.
lures to Clark Griffith with the idea
OF landing Peckinpaugh. Boston
writer's say that Peck gained moth
Ing in popularity with Washington
fans by his slow getaway in 1922,
and that Chance, who had Peck in
an opportunity of landing him.
Clark Griffith, admitting cheer
fully Peck's slow start last spring,
says the veteran should benefit by
MS early workouts at Hot Springs,
Ark.s and be in shape to play in
April the kind Of ball he showed in
August and September last season.
Merely because he was the first
string shortstop last year, "ex-
plains the Washington magnate," It
does not necessarily follow that he
10D goes to the player making the
best showing. II Peck arrives at
Tampa in condition to play as he
really, knows how, he should out
class, the others, for Peck at his
best Is q mighty fine ball player.
AT the same time, it's largely
mp to Peck. He did not begin
training last year until he went
10 Tampa. This year he is to 60
to Hot Springs. That may make
MI the difference I'm the world TO
him. But it is up to him. The
200 goes TO the player making the
AS for Peck's going to the Boston
Red Sox, it hardly seems possible.
Frank Chance may not be aware of
1t, but he has few players of any use
20 other teams in this league. The
Yankees have murmured about OBJ
tanning Herb Pennock, but the Griff-
men wouldsrather have him on some
opposing team If his usual pitching
against them is to be considered.
Pennock has his troubles opposing
the Griffs, no matter what uniform
he happens to be wearing.
clark Griffith is on record as say
ing ne viii sell no players. He will
trade, some of them-he is careful TO
name some five or six not omen to a
trade-but he will have no straight
sales Ball players of major league
caiiber are too scarce for him to sell
any, Money won't buy good ones.
therefore, Roger Peckinpough is
going to be a formidable candidate
Tor the shortstopper's berth in the
Washington infield this spring, thus
adding to the flames of the fighting
for that third base position.
Chick Gagnon played short for the
Rochester club in the International
League, and. while showing himself
an unsteady lad in the field, his hit
cng was good for a young man play
ing professional ball for the first
time.
Ossie Bluege, who spent several
months with the Griffs last season.
Is first-class fielding shOrtstop.
He is young and apparently inteIii-
gent: His hitting is the greatest
puzzle connected with him, II
Bluege could hit for .275 i'm this
league, Roger Peckinpaugh might
begin worrying right now about
his 1928 job.
Bob La Motto was the Tampa
shortstop in 1920. He warmed the
Washington bench in 1921. Just
when he was about to get his
trial a strained tendon in his
thigh took him out of the lineup.
Last season, when Shanks' slow
ness and DOME Bush's weak legs
demanded new blood at the hot
corner, La Motto was placed on
the bag. He surprised his friends
by the manner in which he played
the position. No, he was no
Jimmy Collins or Buck Weaver.
but ne was coming fast toward
the end of the season and he
should give all his rivals a hot
fight for the job this year.
Bill Conroy, said to be slow on
the bases but fairly fast around
the third bag. comes touted to
the skies by Clark Griffith, who
passed on the young man last
summer when with the Minneap.
oils ball club in the American AS.
ISOLATION. Nevertheless, Conroy
will find American League base.
ball rather different from Amer.
lean Association baseball, and
where he may have seemed fast
enough in the minors, he may be
slower than molasses in this com
pany. He is an experiment, moth
ing more.
Two wholly unknown quantities
90 be seen in uniforms at Tampa
this spring will be Jake Probst
from the Greenville club of the
Cotton States League, and Owen
Kelly, from Grand Rapids in the
Mint League. Both are mere
youngsters. Neither has much
experience. Both are likely to
find themselves over their heads
PrObst hit for .314 in the Cot
ton States League last season.
He handled 4.63 chances DER
game, leading all thirdsackers in
chances accepted, the second
player being 100 in his rear.
He was seventh among nine
fhirdsackers and twelfth in the
league at bat.
Kelly created quite some excite
ment around the Mint League las
season and attracted the attention
of Billy Smith, the Washington
scout. Smith looked at him anC
decided he was worth taking Il
Tampa, so down to Tampa he viii
go. he will go, and DOME Bush viii
take look for himself.
1t is a possibility that neith6