Evening star., 1924-02-20


When it is considered that johnson
was training for diamond duty before
many OF the present crop of lumina
ries had discarded short pants, the
statement that his conditioning is to
be strictly supervised this year prob
ably will evoke chortles of derision
from the oldtiIners. But the reasons
therefor as outlined by Harris be-
fore he hoped off for Hot Springs
Yesterday present the subject in a
new. light.
Arm Sore Only Once.
With one notable exception, just a
Few years ago, when a wing lame
ness that baffled the most expert
dtagnoSticians put Johnson Temporal
rtly on the shelf, he never had sore
arm in his life. He has worked out
ut many different camps in the south
land in weather ranging from the
downright cold of the wind-swept
and snoW-covered campus of the Uni
vcrsity of Virginia, al charlottesville.
To the at times enervating and calm
atmosphere of Tampa, and the open
ing of the season invariably has
found his mighty right arm primed
for service, even though his physical
condition otherwise might have been
under par. due to the ailments hu-
mans are heir to.
Johnson has long since recovered
the full use of hrs salary wing. but
with the advancing years WoboiY
legs, the bugaboo of every veteran
tosser, have intruded themselves as a
primary factor for consideration in
his annual effort to attain and keep
in condition.
For many years under numerous
pilots Johnson was permitted 10 train
himself. He alone decided how much
uperior 2s h fioe ahoald vfn he conc an ms i45
his judgment as to what was neces-
sary in the way OF eXerciS" to set
in shape. But this was before his
underpinning began TO sag, and his
experience of last season is respon-
Sible for the change in policy adopt
cd this year.
: The sudden and mysterious loss OF
George Gibson during the heat of the
1923 campaign is involved il, this tale
and the explanation for il is here
with presented for the first time.
Gibson.s Methods Hurt.
1t will be recalled that Gibson was
OF pitching coach, now filled by Jack
Chesbro. The Canadian, a star
catcher in the National League dur
ing his playing days and former ma =
ager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. was
warmly welcomed by Washington
fans in the belief that he was just
the type of tutor needed 10 extract a
maximum. Of skill from the hurlers.
TO teach them the tricks of the throw
ing art and drill them with view
TO remedying their defects.
Manager Bush soon found that
many of Gibson'S IDEAS about the
training of pitchers failed to jbe
with his own and he was none too
we'll pleased with the results at
tained. but there was no open brea ch
until Johnson for Il second time dur
ing the season was compelled to give
Up pitching for Il while. the respon-
.:ibility therefor being charged
against Gibson.
Bush and Gibson both were aware
of the fact that johnson was suscep-
tihle to trouble with his legs and
the coach sought to strengthen them
by method that proved disastrous.
1t seems that Gibson disliked the
idea of doing much catching. even in
practice. and seldom donned the re-
gala of Il receiver in pursuing his
duties of tutor to twirIers. Hack was
inordirately fond of hitting fungoes,
however. and used to delight in max
ing the boys chase all over the field
10 retrieve his drives.
Walter Liked the Job.
Gibson evidently believed that
Shagging flies was the best method
of making Johnson's legs sound. At
any rate. he found in Walter one Of
the most untiring and enthusia site
workers for these ankle excursions
and the result was that Barney twice
pulled UP so lame that he had to fore
go pitching for Il while. Bush finally
voiced his dissatisfaction with Glib
sons work to Clark Griffith and when
reminded by the president that it
was up to him to make any changes
he considered desirable Gibson's con-
c,lIlllIIlIIiIilIIuillI,l