Evening star., 1925-03-01


him. HE can take ii or leave. 1t.
OutfeIder Wild Matthews. whose
brilliant playing during the time last
season he was with the Nationals, en-
deared him to the followers of the
Washington club, checked in this
morning.
Spark Plug is in excellent condi-
ton, save for slight cold contracted
in the long ride here, and weighs los
pounds, the most at which he has
ever tipped the scales. Matthews is
deeply anxious for the season to open,
and confident he is up to stay this
time.
II feel that the breaks have been
just little bit against me-" said Nid,
but a ball player has got to take
the breaks-good and bad. Whenever
and wherever the opportunity pre-
sents itself, 1 shall be right there
doing my best. / am pleased at the
extra weight I have added on, and
think this will prove beneficial in my
playing"
The hustIing young outfeIder spent
the winter at Centralia, Ill, idling.
II spent a rather strenuous six
weeks during my stay with Sacra-
mento," said Sparky. The many diff
ferent~ varieties of weather that
Dali prayer mas 10 COHlenu WIFI oll
the Coast is rather trying. At Salt
Lake City, the high altitude presents
one brand of weather; San Francisco
has it's own peculiar climate, with
overcoats always welcome after the
sun goes down. Seattle and Portland
are still different, while in Los An
geles weather more like that ex-
perienced in Washington is on tap.
When the season closed / was a bit
tagged, and instead OF working dur
ing the Winter months. as was my
custom, took things easy. The leis-
ure apparently benefited me, and 1
will be all set whenever Stanley
needs me"
The same infectious spirit which
gained for Matthews instant favor
of the fans of Washington still is
present.
The downpour of rain which start
ed Friday night continued practically
unabated until 3 o'clock this after
noon, but this did not deter Mike
Martin from getting in practice
session. After lunch the players
went over to- the ball park, donned
uniforms and for an hour worked
out under the grandstand, the prac-
tice being confined, however, to the
pitchers warming up. with the usual
medicine ball game rounding out the
days work. Allan RUSSELL again
looked good.
This kind of weather brings out
the sweat" said the spitball twirler.
"I don't recall time when my arm
felt better than now"
Bennie Ttate still is struggling to
take off about seven superf1uous
pounds After the rest of the squad
is through each day, he and either
Bluege or Hargrave-or both-put in
an added Is minutes work, bunting
being the faTorite method employed
to chase away the fat
Tampa still seeks some part in the
world series victory of the Nationals,
and If present plans work out, this
hustling Southern town will have Ats
wish gratified. The occasion for
Tampa,s participation in last Falls
great victory probably will be the
day of the game with the Boston
Nationals. at which time 1t is planned
to present the members of the cham
pion Washington team with the
m edals which the National Base Ball
Commission gives to the winners of
the classic.
time ago asking about presenting the
medals and Griff turned the letter
over to Manager Harris, with the
suggestion that March IA, the day the
Boston Braves are scheduled to play
here, would be an auspicious time for
the presentation. Mayor Perry Wall
probably will have charge of the
event If present plans materialize.
C-fA C.h III
Eynon, Trainer Martin. Scout Joe
Engel and, Assistant Business Mana
eer Smith, each has one of the medals,
they having been purchased by the
Nationals boss. The medal is a
beautiful one--the finest that has yet
been given the players.
A bas relief OF the Capitol is In
the background with diamond