Evening star., 1925-02-21

tlCe to follow at ampa are all nOpp
a nineteenth consecutive season in
a man it will give them a better tn
nant-winning feat of last year, wit
dessert.
The fact that Jez Zachary signe
was pleasing intelligence to them, al
news that Nean Gregg was reported
word from his home in Nevada that
which helped alleviate the rigors of
hills yesterday.
While no details of the understand
ing Johnson finally reached with
tor, it is not mere guesswork to as
sert that Walter will pitch for the
Nationals not only this season, but
next year as well, as he has definitely
abandoned the idea of purchasing a
franchise in the Pacific Coast League
following the string of disappoint-
ments which attended his efforts in
this direction during the Winter.
Means to Continue.
It is known that Walter was offered
his choice of>contracts for either one
or two seasons and that he himself
ldickered for an agreement covering
a three-year term, evidence enough
that he has given up the hope or
landing a team of his own on the
coast.
Had he any reason to believe that
one of the deals under consideration
. this Winter might be swung at the
close of the coming campaign, 1t Is
logical to assume that he would have
insisted on being bound for service in
majors for only one more season, so
he would be free to act in the Fall,
and the fact that he had tied himself
to the Nationals for two ensuing sea-
sons indicates that his plans for the
fueare contemplate postponement of
| his graduation to the role of magnate
until at least 1927.
There are any number of fans, even
kn Washington, where his return will
be <Eleefully hailed by the vast ma
|jority as meaning a continued high
ranking for the team, who will regret
|tnAt johnson could not draw the cur
|taixr on his big league career while
at The pinnacle of his success, and
|who mentally shudder over the pros
pect of ther idols exit via the has
been route. But they are presup-
posing that Walter is just about
|"thTough' now, while that worthy's
decision to carry on proves he him
self has no misgivings as to his
ability to continue delivering goods
of 4 standard worthy of his reputa-
|tio1.
q" Has Fooled EN- Before.
Not a Summer has passed in many
yeats now that the experts" haven't
|direfully predicted his passing, but
he always has confounded them by
refusing to be counted out. and, hav-
|ingsjust finished the second best sea-
|sons of his entire career, in which he
lied all the hurlers of his circuit,
|both as to winning percentage and
|effec tiveneSS in earned runs allowed,
There would seem to be ample justiti-
cation for his confidence that the end
lis not yet in sight for him.
A. wire the writer received from
j ohnson Thursday, reading, Leaving
Tonight. Tell Harris and the boys to
| be >,rready for real hike Monday
m morning. indicates that Walter will
| be here in time to start his tubing
|torrorrow, in which case he will get
in 10 baths, allowing that the present
schedule of starting for Tampa on
March 3, is adhered to. This will
'be2six less than the number that will
aye been taken by the players who
Igek,o on the job here the first of the
|weeh, but, according to Harris, this
|wi1f. not seriously retard the training
of nthe big pitcher, who always is in
Hairy BOOu cOnOlIlOn ana SClUOHl mas
|anys surplus weight to shed.
More than six weeks are left be-
fore the opening of the season." said
the- boy boss today, "and this will
give Walter ample time to get ready.
What he can't get in the way of
woTk here can be made up for in
Tampa. Walter is his own trainer,
anyhow. He knows just how much
toll he requires, and will set his own
pace. If all players were as con-
scientious as Barney, managing the
Washington club would be the Softest
kind of d snap"
Mny Get Welcome.
1t is probable some kind of an
official welcome" will be rendered
Johnson tomorrow. Citizens and
sojourners to the number of several
hundred assembled last Sunday. under
the mistaken impression that he had
arrived, and it was announced at
the time by the committee on cere-
monies, headed by the worthy mayor
of the town, that the program would
lJc staged as soon as Walter
showed up.
No one in Hot Springs will be
more pleased to see Johnson than
Clyde Milan. Walters roommate and
particular buddy during the many
seasons they played together In
Washington. Milan, who has been
boiling out here for couple of
weeks, was gratified' to learn that
Barney would arrive before Zeb
leaves for Memphis, where he is to
manage the Southern Association
club this year
Warren ogden checked in yester-
day, several days late, looking quite
fit and feeling fine. according to his
own statement. Curley will draw
plenty of work during his stay here.
Mike McNally was excused from the
Friday tramp to make a flying visit
to friends in a nearby city, but was
back on the scene today.
Goslin failed to duplicate his
golfing performance of the day be-
fore and bowed to the superior club
welding of Babe Ruth, who gained
in pocket, while losing in weight
during his 36-hole tour. The Bambino
liY7ly hytn lnI u,