The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-21

are showing more interest in the
ago. Wouldn't be surprised If
into camp ahead of their schedule
training season to get under way
Uncle Nick Altrock is back in
town after spending the winter
clowning around the major and
minor league circuits with a basket.
ball team.
Am going South next week?
Can a duck swim?" That's his
way of reply to the age-old story.
You can bet he'll be right on the
job next week when the train pulls
out of the station headed for the
sunny shores of Tampa Bay.
President Griffith expects to have
the following men in his first squad:
DOME Bush, George Gibson, Nick
Altrock, Godfrey Brogan, Jehosephat
Besselievre Brillheart, Patsy Char.
rity, Sam Rice and Allan Russell.
Those reporting at Tampa direct
from their. homes are Bob Potter,
Kay Beach, Bill Hargrave, Nancy
Hankins, Muddy Ruel. John Hol-
lingsworth, Walter johnson, Steve
Japan, Dan McGrew, Lefty War
moth and Jezebel Tecumseh Zach
ary.
The early reporting of Sam
Rice, the veteran Outfielder, in
dictates his heart-whole interest i'm
the coming campaign. Rice,
yielding to the surroundings, fell
off considerably i'm his work last
season. But he means to hop
right out this year.
After passing the 800 mark at
bat for four consecutive years,
hit for 1902 in 1917, 1921 in 1919,
1913 in 1929 and $50 in 1921. In
1918 he was serving Uncle. Sam in
the army.
Rice's most brilliant season was
in 1920. He crashed the pill to the
fine tune of 1898, and accepted AIS
fielding chances for the best work
of all the leagues outfielders since
its organization. His asa putouts is
also, high mark for the circuit.
As base runner that year Rice
was whizzer. He. swiped no
fewer than. sixty-two cushions.
which is his highest mark. Last
year he stole twenty, showing con-
siderable of a falling off in eff
cheney.
But that was last year. Rice is
showing more interest than ever
be required to do more than the
lightest work for the first week,
it's dollars to holes in Swiss cheese
that he will be taking swings with
his bat the very first time he can
get anybody to pitch to him. Few
players, especially outfielders. can
long remain away from slamming
them on the nose.
With the exceptions of Bucky
Harris. who has been at Tampa
several weeks now, and Sam Rice,
the first squad will consist wholly
of pitchers and catchers.. They
will work under the close super
vision of President Griffith, Man
George Gibson and Uncle Nick
Altrock. .1 = =. Z
Walter johnson is expected to
arrive at Tampa on the night of
February % and be in uniform
the following morning. 1t is
probable that many. of the play
ers, going direct from their
homes, will meet up with the
Washington party at Jackson
willie next Wednesday morning.
With five catchers. Charity,
Ruel, Japan, .Hargrave. and Glib
son in the squad the pitchers won't
have much chance Of staliing
around. They will be kept pretty
busy. by.
Three days of warming up will
leave many weak arms by Sunday,
March 4, and that days rest will
come in most handy However, by
the time the rest OF the squad
shows up on March II sore arms
should be thing of the past and
the daily batting practice will
amount to more than merely going
through the motions.
On March the young infielders
and outfielders will be due at
Tampa. They will include GosIin,
Wade, Fisher and Mcnamara, out.
fielders. and Gagnon. Biuege, La
Note and Conroys infielders..
On March IL the last of the play
crs will report. Unless he shows
up earlier, Joe Judge will be in
that little squad, the others being
Roger Packinpaugh. George Mo-
gridge and Joey Evans. Peck and
Mogridge leave next Monday for
Hot Springs, Ark, where they. will
boil out for a couple of weeks.
Il must admit that the outlook.
so far as enthusiasm goes. is most
promising" said President Griffith
today. IF the team continues to
show this spirit, Bush won't have