The Washington times., 1923-03-10


his heavy war clubs carries the {
William, but just plain Bill. A
threatens to be, one of the old-f
the time, cared little for injuries,
never yelling for help.
The new third.sacker wasn't in
uniform five minutes yesterday be-
fore he had his cap on backward
and was stealing wrong turns at the
plate. He is a right-handed hitter
of the savage, swinging type. He
caught hold of couple on the nose
and. drove them far out beyond the
ahagging outfielders.
COnrOy did rot have much OF a
workout around the bag, but he did
show real throwing arm. For his
first day he worked hard enough
and is sure to be given a thorough
trial. President Griffith has been
boosting this lad ever since complet.
ing this lad ever since completing
the deal for him, the Washington
mogul predicting certain success for
him.
However, probably because Of his
major league experience and his
earlier reporting, Joey Evans is be-
ing the deal for him, the Washing
ton mogul predicting his certaifl
success.
Evans is much faster than Con.
roy on his feet, probably faster
than anybody on the club, not ex-
cepting Sam Rice, but that third !,
base berth may go to the lad
packing the hardest wallOp. In
that case. COnrOy viii bear watch
ing.
Preliminary training is almost
over for many of the aGriffmen.
Next week the scrub games will be.
sin. and next Saturday comes the
first exhibition. game with the Bos-.
ton Braves, now training over in st.
Petersburg. It must be admitted
right now that there is great room
for Improvement in many of the
pitchers who will be called upon to
toll in the exhibitions.
Zachary, Russell, Hankins and
Warmoth are about ready to face
the National Leaguers. Hollins-
worth has been halted in his train
ing by the abscess in his throat.
McGrew has not wholly recovered
from the flu. which had him on
his back for seven weeks. Beach
has a sore arm. Brillheart is not
I'm the best of condition. Mogridge
has not been in uniform long
enough to take his place on the
hill.
II is really too early to judge
the pitchers, but no phenom has
made his appearance, no youngster
to draw EXPLANATIONS of glee from
the hard-boiled war correspondents.
There is every reason to be;
hoge that President Griffith will
have to make another determined
hunt for D capable rigIIt-handed.
pitcher.
Walter johnson will be called
upon to take his turn on the hill.
So will HoIlingsworth. Russell has
been obtained for relief duties,
though through necessity he may
have to start games this spring.
McGrew does not appear to have
developed far along the road to
major league stardom. Hankins
and Beach are both green young
sters, the latter's. sore arm pre-
venting him from doing much thus
far. Hankins looks somewhat like
a conner, but he has little or no
experience.
Comparing the squad with last
years at this time. ii NAV h~ s"'d
at once that the catchers are vastly
better than those of 1922. Cons.d-
ering the importance of George
Gibson's coaching, with the pres
ence of real catchers behind the
plate in every game, the pitchers
should show some Improvement,
just how much remains TO be seen.
Last year Brillheart, Phillips.
Erickson, and Gleason looked like
world-beaters in Florida. The last
three couldn't beat an egg in New
York. 1t is" possible that the i'm.
proved catching may clear this stu.
alton this year. However, today it
f. not possible to cheer over any
quartet such as was the case last
spring. The pitching staff is likely
10 be a puzzle for yet a while.
Shanks was the third sacker a
year ago. Evans, Lamotte. and
Bluege are all faster than was
Shanks. Conroy will probably be
much more impressive with the bat.
Whether Peckinpaugh will get
away TO a quick start this year
remains to be seen. II he does
the 1928 infield should look better
than its predecessor.
The outfield should be at least as
formidable as that OF a year ago. 1t
80 too early to say it will be better.
Goslin's year in the big show should
improve MIN, but he has yet to
prove it. Rice is playing right field,
his. first position when he shifted
from the box.
Dick Wade has the call for the
center field berth, at least right
now. He is a more natural out.
fielder than either Brewer or Earl
Smith. So is Fisher, for that mat
ter, and both are faster on their
feet than the 1922 lads.
The change in spirit is most
noticeable. DOME Bush has the
athletes on their toes every minute.
He has made it known that 10 the
hustler will go the regular job, and
ne has enough youngsters in the
squad to supply the spirit needed
by the veterans.
OF the new players, Hargrave,
Canyon, Hollingsworth, Hankins,
and Wade have made the best pre-
lin1inary showings. Conroy may Join
this little bunch AZ soon. as he gets
into the swing. He gave signs of
II yesterday.
II will be surprising il Har-