The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-12-30
KID TIMBER
SIGNS Up
By Louis A. Dougher

The younger Griffmen. the lads
ambitious to make good Impressions
on the boss, are tumbfing over in
their rush to sign contracts for 1927,
but thus far Sam Rice is the lone
veteran who has come IN out Of the
wet and 1t is quite possible that
President Clark G. Griffith win have
more or less trouble in signing Joe
Judge, Goose Goslin, Muddy Ruel
and Fred Marberry.
When the team disbanded In Phila-
delphia last September several play.
ers expressed themselves as OPP
posed to any great salary slashes.
The failure of the team to- finish
higher than fourth seemed TO them
to predict decreased salaries for
some OF the boys and several de-
clared themselves then and there
against such a policy.
The Washington club has been
generous with its employees.
President Griffith has on many
occasions told his players to "get
out there and prove you're
But when players have bad
years, they stand small chances
of maintaining high salaries
based on good years.
Joe Judge is usually one of the
last to sign, though he and Presi-
dent Griffith never lose their
tempers in their arguments pro and
con. 1t simply has become a habit
for the agile first-sacker to set off
a flock of fireworks every year be-
fore signing the papers and starting
for the training camp.
Goose Goslin is one of the highest
paid players among the Griffs and
will hardly be reduced In salary. In
1925 he hit for 1896 and drove in 100
runs. In 1926 he boosted his batting
average to 1854 and drove 108 runs
across the plate. If there Is any
delay in his signing it will be largely
owing to slight difference OF
opinion between him and the club
regarding his salary figures.
Muddy Ruel kicked up quite
fuss a year ago and did not sign
until reaching Tampa. He had q
poor season on the whole and 1t
Is fair to assume that he may have
to stand for a decrease in salary.
President Griffith never discusses
these matters and so this cannot
be verified.
Fred Marberry's case Is
simple. 1t is based on his ambi.
ton to be a starting pitcher.
He believes he could earn a
much higher salary if he could
hang up long string of vic.
tories for himself instead of saw,
ing games for other pitchers.
Once he gets into a discussion
with President Griffith 1t Is be.
Iieved that the big fellows
troubles will be smOOthed out
satisfactorily to both sides and
p without much loss of time.
Meanwhile the youngsters are
keeping the mails busy carrying
their signed contracts. Yesterday
four pitchers. Frank Burke, Frank
Lotus, Clayton Van Alstyne and
Ralph Stewart, entered. the fold,
while Dick Coffman, a pitcher from
Chattanooga, and John Berger, a
catcher drafted from New Haven,
accepted terms. which, under base
ball rules, is paramount to signing
the official papers
There are now fourteen players
in line for the coming training sea-
son. Manager Harris signed
three-year contract a year ago, and
the remaining lads awaiting orders
are Admiral Jones, General"
Crowder, Frank LOTUS. Frank
Burke, Ralph Stewart, Clayton Van
A1styne and Dick Coffman, pitchers;
Sam Rice, outfielder; Bob Mccain.
Grant ellis, Bob Reeves and
Stuffy Stewart. infielders, and John
Berger, catcher,
President Griffith never adj
mits he has a hOldOut until the
season opens. He classifies back
ward players as merely backward
In coming forward. but refuses