The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-03-03

It expect Speaker to cover every.
thing in the outfield and throw out
Funners at third End home,' says
Manager Harris. That's how he
has always treated us and so | ex-
pect the same thing from him."
Believe me, boys" remarked
Fred Marberry in the club house
after Speaker had gone out upon
the field, ''there goes one tough
bird. I'm glad he's on our side
this year"
Speakers first work in a Wash
ington uniform was short. but very
much to the point. He took a left
handlers catching mitt and Joined
In the field practice, but it didn't
seem to bother him much.
8 Following the bunting drill Speak.
er joined in a wild volley ball con-
test, playing for fully half al hour
before his wind gave out and he
had to dig for the clubhouse.
Close to 500 fans gathered on
+ Plant Field to see Speaker make
his debut in a Washington uni
y form. They stood and shivered
Il for half an hour before he APP
d peared and then chivered some
more to see him in action. He
cheerfulIy posed for a lot of pic
lures and then hoped right in'O
the practice.
"That's some game" said Speak,
er, ending his volley ball game. Il
never played it before, but can
zee it does a man a lot Of good. :"
"All right, you're captain Of the
,-ai6
fis. 'SWe're playing for the cham
pionship next week. Get your
gang together"
ST never played it before but III
hy You one buck we beat the in
fielders' team" came back Speaker.
"Wait a minute. though, perhaps
that's against Judge Lands orders.
Speaker says he can't be more
than eight pounds overweight and
that if Bucky Harris wants him
TO play Saturday he will do so.
Harris is opposed to such an early
appearance, however, and Speaker
IS more likely to play his first
game at st. Petersburg next Tues
day against the Boston Braves.
81 never do put on much
weight" explained Speaker, "and
this last winter saw me worry
ing so much that / just couldn't
gain any weight. / guess you
fellows will understand that
without any details. / never
want to put in another such
winter.
with that load off my back,
: feel like kid again here. fee
sure that everything will be fine
for me here and that Washington
fans will be all with me when the
season opens. That's all ! need
I'll he ready 10 go all the way II
the gang in the stand stays WITH
me-"
Owing to the bitterly cold wind
sweeping across the field Speaker
had no batting practice in his irsI
day in a Washington uniform, He
expects to get that today and has
brought more than a dozen pet bats
to use against the pitchers.
The veteran outfielder says he is
delighted to be with the Washington
club. He says that for years ne has
always had friends in Washington
uniforms and that it seems quite e
be expected for him to wear the
big ''W' on his shirt.
''Bucky Harris is my idea of
4 great fighting leader and l am
proud to be playing with him."
says Speaker "I'II give him the
best I'm me and nothing will
please me more than to help
Washington to win its third
pennant"
Following a heavy rain the nigh,
before Tampa was swept by colo
wind yesterday and no batting prac
ticO vas staged The players al
warmed up played q little voIleS
ban and scOoted 10 the showers.