Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-12
|NF|ELD, OUTF|ELD
STARS PURCHASED
Five Men Bought and Five
Others ReCaIIed-CIub
Gets LiSka.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.


fielder. and Guy Cantrell
pitcher. President Clark Griffith an
nounceS the acquisition of five players
and the recall of five who were farmeo
this season. No prices are stated by
the prexy. but it is rumored that Min
neapolis got $4,000 for Adolph Liska
pitcher. Several of the players bought
or recalled are to join the Nationals
during the Western tour that starts
Saturday.
Three of the five players bought are
actually new to the club. They are
Liska, pitcher, and Pete Voter, third
sacker of Minneapolis, and Elliot Bige-
low. outfielder. of Birmingham. Wash
ington also has bought back Grant
ellis. shortStop, who was with the club
several months this season before he
was sold to Minneapolis, and Melburn
Simons, outf1elder, who had trial with
the Nationals at Tampa before he was
sold to Birmingham.
Three of the players recalled have
been performing with the Minneapolis
club. They are Horace LiSenbee and
Clayton Van Alstyne, pitchers, and Jack
Hayes. infielder. Van Alstyne was
farmed to the Millers when they bought
ellis. while Lisenbee and Hayes went
to them later. Paul Hopkins, pitcher,
has been recalled from Montreal of the
International League, whence he was
farmed after showing his wares al
Tampa. and Ernest Shirley. first sacker,
has been ordered back from Birming-
ham.
Voter Good Minor Hitter.
Voter, who has been playing a fine
third base for the Millers, was up with
the Indians two years ago and also
had a trial with the Cubs. He proved
just bit shy of being of major league
caliber when tested, but since has de-
veloped to such On extent that it is
believed he will make the grade. In
addition to fielding well for the Millers
this season, he has stung the ball to
the extent of a 1897 average.
Bigelow probably has been bought
with the expectation of making pinch
batter of him. He is not particularly
good outfielder as he is slow and some
what inaccurate as a fly judger. Nor
is he young But he can bang the ball.
And he can bang it as regular player
or a bench warmer. Not being in the
ting eye. He has been seeking at a
400 clip in the Southern Association
and that's hitting in any league.
Simons is picked instead of Spencer
Harris, the Minneapolis outfielder that
Washington had chance to get. Tried
at Tampa last Spring. Simons was just
a trifie off as a big Lacquer He was
neither sure fielder nor strong
batter. But in the Southern AsSocia-
ton this year he has developed remark
ably according to President Griffith
and Scout ole Engel and ought to make
the grade at the next training camp.
His hitting rating for the season in
the Dixie circuit is 307.
Liska Help to Millers.
Liska, bought from the Millers, and
ellis, bought back from the same out
1T. have starred as minor leaguerS. The
right-hand hurler had up to the first
part Of this week a record of II wins
and defeats. He has done much to
put the Minneapolis Club at the top
Of the American Association. Griffith,
though, declares that Paul Mccullough,
who also has been bought from Mime
apolis, is a far better pitcher than
Liska even though his record does not
make him seem So ellis has done
much better as a shortstop and third
sacker with the Millers than he did
here early in the season and has hit IN
the American Association at a 81 rate,
30 the Washington boss figured it worth
while to bring him back to the club.
OF the recalled players Hayes has
been the best in the minors. In fact,
his brilliant Unfolding and heavy hitting
are said to be mainly responsible for
the lofty position the Millers hold In
the Association Jack was somewhat
weak as q hitter with the Nationals
and none too fast on his feet. but he
impressed the fans here, nevertheless.
He was certain In his work, even though
he lacked speed, and was thought so
we'll of by the club that he went to
the Millers only under 24-hour option.
Recalled Hurlers Weak.
Lisenbee and Van Alstyne probably
are recalled only because the club is
overlooking nothing that may bolster
o pitching staff that has functioned
none too well this season. Neither has
been so successful with the Millers.
And the same goes for Hopkins too.
He has been no shining light at Mon
treal. AS a matter of fact this young
fellow developed crouch shortly after
Joining the Royals and never showed
the worth he promised when at the
Florida training camp with the Ma
tionals last Spring.
Shirley, however. has been one of the
stars of the Birmingham club and one
of the best hitters in the Southern AS
ISOLATION. The stocky first sacker, who
has been twice tried by the Nationals,
always has been a capable fielder, but
in past seasons was not so strong at
bat. His stickwork has been so good
this season, though. that officials of the
Washington club believe he will give
the veteran Joe Judge a great battle
for the initial base job next year.
All Options Exercised.
The Washington club also has exer-
cised its option on Ed Crowley, infielder
end Doggy Sheridan. pitcher Crowley
shifted to the Birmingham Barons from
the Albany. Ca. club after the South
eastern League passed out, has been
sold to the Baltimore Internationals
while Sheridan, farmed to Newark after
being bought from Birmingham, has
been sold back to the Barons. These
deals clear up all the options the Wash
ington club held on players in the
minors. for Ernest Smith, infielder. was
i