The Washington times., 1926-02-06
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER
snarts Editor. The Times

Ernest "Mule' Shirley, extra
first-sacker with the Washington
Griffmen for the past couple OF
years, is likely to find himself
with Mobile in the Southern Assoc
citation this year, going there in
mart payment for cowboy" Jones.
This is the present plan of Bucky
Harris. who must first obtain
waivers on the former star OF
North Cardinals varsity nine.
Shirley is an intelligent young
ster and, sitting on the Washing
tor bench, he has learned much
more than the average rookie:
However. he has not ( appeared
strong enough with the fail to
force his way into the daily hfle-
nm of the champions.
with Judge and Joe Harris
booked to hold down the initial
corner this year. and young Nc.
Gee being grocmed TO succeed them
both come day. Shirley's chances
do not appear too bright unless ne
suddenly comes to life with the
willow. This he may do, If PLAYED
regularly. AS he is already a fine
fielder and a fair base runner,
year with Mobile may be the
makings of him.
The first contingent of the
American League champions to pc
gin training will enter upon their
preliminary stunts next week az
Hot Springs, Ark. In the bunch
viii be Roger Peckinpaugh, Goose
/. Goslin. Sam Rise. Stan Coveleskie
and Johnny Tobin.
Three weeks Of boiling out in
the torrid waters, with long, soul
testing hikes up the mountain
and down into the valley again,
with sufficient golf i'm the after
noon to take off the curse, should
nut the athletes in prime cOndi-
ton for the straight baseball
work due to begin on Monday,
March 1.
One week from today will see the
first squad of champion Griffmen
start for Tampa. Fla. Manager
Harris. Just now attending to minor
part that morning. taking with him
through the Capital on their way
South. Others will go direct from
their homes.
The first bunch of Griffs to oegin
work at Tampa viii consist Of Mar
berry. Morrell, Lyle, Smith, Kelley.
Thomas, Humphreys, Joyce, Ogden,
pitchers: Tate, catcher, and Buddy
Myer, shortstOp.
Uncle Nick Altrock and Al
Schacht, the comedian-coaches, are
already in Florida, and will be on
hand to greet the first bunch at
the Tampa railroad station.
Mique Martin, former mayor Of
Cherrydale. Va, and now a grow
ing medicine magnate, will leave
Washington with Manager Harris.
and viii be in direct charge of the
athletes throughout the training
season.
Charlie Comlskey, inveterate
enemy Of Ban JOhnsOn's, has
come out with a statement in
Chicago to the effect that the
American League will support
Judge Lands in his possible can.
didacy as baseball commissioner
when his present term expires.
Baseball needs man like
lands" says Comiskey. land ] am
heartily in accord with the action
aken by the National League.
Furthermore, expect no oppo-
sition from our league. We would
have a lot of explaining to do were
we to turn against the man who
has made baseball such a capable
head.
THE public respects Lands, and
has faith and confidence in him.
There is not an organization in
America which would not feel proud
10 have him at its head. When we
asked him TO accept the office of
commissioner be twice refused.
Baseball insisted that he accept. He
wasSa big man to US then, bigger
man now.
There is no reason TO expect
any opposition from our league, and
l am confident at least seven of the
eight clubs win vote for his re-
appointment. The St. Louis club
may be the one exception
There is a strong undercurrent
in the league that the Lands mat
ter, started by the unsolicited en-
dorsemene of the National Leaguers,
will be discussed here next Tues
day when the American League
cl1ieftans gather at the Washington
Hotel. but that nothing will be
given out to the sports writer's. 1t
is felt that the old league has
put something over" on it's rival
and the latter doesn't like it, 1t
doesn't wish to look as though fol,
lowing the National League lead, ir
the Lands matter or anything
else.