The Washington times., 1927-12-12

To the ground, RumOrS nave Deen
heard for some time that the Wash
lnRton club will figure in the trad
! Ing news of the week. once the big
league magnates and managers
gather for their annual pow-wow.
II can't say whether we'll do any
trading or not" said President Grit
not. 1t all depends upon what
we're offered.
"Of course. we want to
strengthen our team IN every
way possible and stand ready to
talk business with anybody Of.
fering what we feel we need.
But even If we fail to make any
trades, well still have a pretty
good ball club with what we
III now have on the roster.
1t is thought possible that some
thing will come out of the iris
Speaker gossip. That the veteran
Is through as Griffman Is old
stuff, but Manager McGraw, Of the
Giants, has declined to talk bust
ness with the player until the lat
ter is released by the Washington
club.
1t is expected that Griffith. who
used to be called the Trade Wind
will go into conference with Nc
Graw. looking to get something for
letting Speaker go to the Giants.
Whether he succeeds or not re-
mains to be seen.
The Washington magnate has re-
peatedly declined to discuss possible
trades That is his regular habit.
. He doesn't like to have names OF
his players appearing in print. ex-
cent in descriptions of their valiant
deeds on the field. Then he likes
columns and columns of publicity. j
However, one runlGr that sim.
ply declines to down.. has both
Joe Judge and Sam Rice booked
for new scenes next summer.
Naturally, the Old Fox has moth
ing to say about it.
Judge Is far from being done as
n major Lacquer. He is today about
as fast as he ever was, q brilliant
fielder and a timely batsman. Bet
ter than that, he is one of the brain.
lest players in the game and a
scrappy. aggressive infielder who
Is of great value to his team at all
times.
If Judge is traded. the Washing
ton club will have to get first
sacker of high caliber. Detroit is
the one American League club with
an extra man capable of playing
here. Earl Shelly, Of the White
Sox. Is on the auction block, but
1t is doubtful if he would tit in with
President Griffith's plans for the
strengthening of his club with
youthful speed.
AS to Sam Rice's future. 1t has
been clouded for some time. His
friends and well-wishers say 1927
was an off year for him and that
he Is sure to come back with a rush
and be his old self next season.
Those not so friendly differ, claim
ing that 1927 marked the beginning
of the end. They point out that
his speed has been disappearing
slowly for fully three years and that
his batting will hardly ever again
be what it was. This past season
saw him finish below the 300 mark
for the first time in his career as
q regular in the outfleld.
Both Judge and Rice are
among the most popular players
on the clubs roster and, II
they are traded, the fans viii
want to see at least their
equals obtained. The Griffs
need few cIOuting hitters more
than anything else right now
and. II they are obtained for
Judge and Rice. the fans will
be satisfied. What really counts
Is a winning team and Wash
inKtOn fans are like fans every
where, they love winner.
The American League will go into
session tomorrow and continue
through Wednesday Among the
items of business will be the ac-
ceptance of the 1923 schedule, and
President Griffith is prepared to
make a fight to have the season get
under way in the Capital. Right
now the Griffs are scheduled to
open in Boston and idle on the first
Sunday. April Is.
On Thursday both big leagues will
hold a joint session, with Judge
lands in the chair. Friday will
find the moguls. the mansg gers and
their hangers-on scattering in all
directions. with nothing to do until
their training trips get under way
in February.