Evening star., 1925-02-16

Sam Rice, who, with Goslin. came
here the first of the month as the
vanguard of Griffs. was missing from
the picture, having already pulled up
stakes for Tampa, where this squad
will join him and others on the roster
two weeks hence. but there were five
absentees when Boss Harris gave his
marching orders-Walter Johnson.
Roger Peckinpaugh, Nean Gregg,
Warren Ogden and Memo Ieibold
OF the quintet, Peck is definitely
due here tomorrow and Ogden is ex-
pected to check in most any hour
both having duly signed their con-
tracts and received transportation,
but the others at this writing are in
somewhat doubtful status.
Leibold, for instance, proba bly, will
he permitted to report direct to
Tampa, having explained that he took
the baths here when member of
the Boston Red Sox. only to find that
they didn't agree with him. Allen
Russell advanced the same argument
last year and made his point.
Johnson, it seems, despite the state
ments credited to him last week at
his home in Reno. New, that he had
accepted terms and would come on. is
not quite satisfied with the financial
Inducements offered him by Clark
Griffith and is busily engaged with
1t might be assumed that Barney
was contending for one-year con-
tract that would leave him free to
obtain the Pacific Coast League
franchise he failed to land this
Winter. but they do say that Walt is
shying at a handsome two-year
agreement and trying to arrange for
service on three-year basis.
gregg May Not Report.
So far as Gregg is concerned, it
may we'll be doubted whether he ever
Joins the Nationals. 1t will be re-
called that after his sale was an
nounced Vean issued an ultimatum
TO the effect that unless the Seattle
the purchase price he would not
bulge out of that dear Walla Walla.
or wherever it is that he hibernates
during the Winter. The coast team
officials then announced that he
would receive not nickel more.
Unless Gregg reports to the Ma
tionals the deal will be automatical-
ly called off. 1t SO happens that Seattle
is badly in need of pitchers to defend
the title it won last season. Maybe
Gregg doubts his ability to come
back IN fast company, where in sea-
sons gone by he was a star with the
Cleveland Indians. Or maybe he likes
the climate on the Coast and the idea
of being close to his home. At any
rate, the outlook now is that the 40
year. southpaw will have only
champions" on his uniform this
year, with no world" in front of it,
in which case certain conclusions
might be drawn.
All in Fine Condition.
All the boys here are in splendid
condition, according to Harris, who
Is particularly gratified over the ap-
pearance of Ruether and Marberry.
The latter, the biggest man on the
Washin gton roster, has SO employed
himself during the Winter that he
weighs six pounds more than at the
close Of last season, when he ball
snced the beam at an even 200.
Reuther appears to be tickled pink
over landing with the world cham
pious and is facing the season in
much the same spirit as rookie
getting his first chance in the bis
league Dutch had some trouble
with his propelling south paw last
season while on the pay roll Of the
Brooklyn Dodgers. but the fiipper
rounded into shape near the close
of the campaign, as was evidenced
by the fact that he famed 10 bat
ters in one engagement, although by
no means a "strike-out pitcher.
Harris let it be known today that
the preliminary work now entered
upon will not be so strenuous as the
program followed here last Spring,
when more than one of his perform
ers caved in and fell by the wayside
uuring the daily hikes. He is en-
terng upon the conditioning grind
with the same seriousness that char
acterizes everything he does. how
ever, this being evidenced by the
1act that he left his golf sticks back
In Tampa.
To Leave Soon, Says Walt.
RENO, New. February 16.-Walter
Johnson, Washington pitching ace,
Will leave Reno for Hot Springs this
week, he said.
Il haven't signed my contract, but
] shall do so before 1 leave, which
will be within a day or two he said.