Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-01-14

ing of the teams is evidence that v
need for betterment.
Then the Mackmen and Red SoX
must be reckoned with, Frazee hav-
ing obtained new leader in Frank
Chance. who is calculated to make
the Hubbites a scrappy outfit, while
Mack, with the acquisition of a highly
touted third baseman in Hale, needs
only little help in the box for ROM
mel to become a thorn in the side of
more than one contender.
That the Yankees again merit the
serious consideration they received
and deserved in the last two cam
paigns G"As without saying: True,
Il is that their fiye-star pitching staff
fell far below expectations last sea-
son, but they finished on top of the
heap in spite of it; Jones, Mays and
Hoyt reasonably may be expected TO
show to better advantage than IN
Meusel and Ruth available for the
entire campaign, with the latter
probably in AS good condition as when
he was establishing records for long
distance hitting.
Browns Remain Contenders.
Any team able to finish within half
a game of the crest, as the Browns
respectful consideration, notwtth-
standing that so far as is known
there is no plug IN sight for the hole
at third base that Frank Ellerpe
failed to fill: What the runners-up
most need is some assistance for
their one-man pitching staff-Crban
Shocker-but they have in Lee Fohl
u pilot who spectalizes in the develop
ment of hurlers and big year Tor
any one of several fingers already on
Wright or Bayne-would provide II.
The menace constituted by the
Tigers, with an almost solid array
of 800 hitters, now that Pratt has
dition of Rip Collins to a mound
corps possessing such brilliant pros
poets as Pillette and Syl Johnson, not
to mention Olsen and the dependable
Dauss, is widely recognized, but the
White SoX generally are not feared
10 the extent they will be once the
campaign is started. They have In
Faber the most effective pitcher in
the American League, according to
the official averages, and in Robert
youngsters exceeded in potential
worth by no trio on another team.
The acquisition at a record price of
Willie Kamm, the fiashy Pacific coast
third baseman, may be expected to
make Kid Gleason's gang team en-
titled to great respect.
Indians Outlook Uncertain.
Just what may be looked for from
the Indians is uncertain, but they
contrived to achieve a first-division
berth last season despite the fact that
they had slumped far from their for
mer high estate due to the ravages of
age in certain sectors, and replace
ment material in wholesale lots has
been corralled for inspection at Lake
land, Fla; this spring, It must be
hor y,Il5
date for the hot-corner assignment in
Walter Lutzke, Kansas City gradu-
ate, and the assurance that Iris
Speakers ailing leg once more is
zled veteran Is able to personally lead
on the field ever could be down
right poor one.
Altogether. it would seem that
Messrs. Bush and Gibson have man
sized tasks confronting them in es-
saying to have the Nationals en-
sconced in the first division when Sun
day, October z, arrives, but they will
not lack for support in their efforts
II the reputation of capital fans In
the past is maintained.
MOgridge a willy Veteran.
That part of the news from Roch-
ester, where George Mogridge makes
his home, to the effect that the lanky
left-hander has decided to quit base
ball is important. if true. In sending
back to Clark Griffith, unsigned, the
contract submitted to him Mogridge
announced that the terms named Were
unsatisfactory. There is nothing I'M
usual about the return of the docu-
ment nor the threat to retire from the
game 1t is merely bid for an ante
in the stipend named, and the fore
runner of some brisk correspondence
between upper New York state and
the Capital city which ultimately win
result in compromise on the terms
offered and demanded.
There is little doubt that Mogridge's
letter is only one of several indited in
q similar vein received at eth. and
Florida avenue. the willy veterans an
: nouncement of his action for what
ever benefit may accrue from the pub
Lefty entailed being the sole reason
for it becoming known, as the club
seldom airs financial controversies
with its athletes.
The loss of Mogridge would be a
serious blow to the plans of the Ma
tionals. Ailing though he was over
a greater part of the season, George
ranked second to Zachary in pitch
ing effectiveness among the left
handlers and topped all local pitchers
as well as the American League
southpaw field in the item of games
won, with eighteen. Griffith & Co.
have a. pretty accurate line on the
value of George Mogridge. and one
of the safest propositions we can
think of is a little wager that he will
, be wearing a wv" on his base ball
cap again next summer