Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-02
RECQRDS0F KLOzA,
VAN ALSTyNE GOOD
Apt to Land Berths With
Club-0nIy IS Players
Yet Unsigned.
sc;sl pisnafch 30 The Star

Special Dispatch 20 Inc STAR
TAMPA. Fla. February with the
recent this morning OF the signed con-
tract Of John Kloza, outiiel6er, whose
.3el batting average last season with
fine Albany team Of the Southeastern
Irac,,e. gives him the distinction OF
having the highest average OF any Cf
lis big league tealnmateS--veterailS or
Observation-Disclosures the receipt late yes
tsr6ay Q. the signed contract OF Clayton
Van Alstvne. pitcher. the total OF Ma
;Ionals now within the fold is %. FIJI
teen Sill are without 1928 WORKING
agreements President Clark GrI1ltn
anticipates not the slightest trouble Win
those YET unsigned, but announces That
he shall require All understanding with
all IS before they will be allowed 10
report al training headquarters here.
= don't want any Of them coming
here until they have signed Tor the
coming season." the Nationals preSl-
dent stated this morning.
y have not been SO strict along ms
lire IN other years. and several o. III!
players have !ourleyo to Tampa ana
personally irone6 out differences III me
salary lire with me here. However.
have offered each PLAYER al iAat inc
club feels il should for his services IN
the approaching campaign. and until
each agrees "a the terms he can stay
away. And this goes TOO.
Much Expected of Rockies.
Much is looked for from the TWO men
whose contracts just drifteo into
Tampa Van AlStype has earned an
opportunity for thorough test TO
prove his fitness for place on the
pitching staff Of the Nationals. and he
is mighty well thought OF by those
close 10 the club. If Van Alstyne can
show me control" opineS club official.
- pre6ic; for him a permanent posi-
ton on the staff. He has whale OF
a curve ball. fast one, and, best OF
al. a heart OF steel"
I remember his general department
81 Chicago last Fall, when he injured
his shoulder while chasing a fly ball
! accompanied him TO the hospital. and
he sold" himself soli6ly 10 me as to
his nerve by the manner in which he
conducted himself then.
Van Alystyne Won IL out Of his first
Is starts With Birmingham after being
sent 20 that club last year following his
trip here with the Nationals in the
Spring His palpabie overworking there
together with an ATTACK of malaria
slowed him and the injury 10 his
shoulder at Chicago precluded his get
ting an opportunity to demonstrate just
how much he had improved over his
Spring trial. But ! would not be at
al surprised if Van Alstyne cid not
prove the star Of the recruits here this
Spring
OF John Kloza. the smuggling out
fielder farTned out by Birmingham 10
Albany last season, many pleasing
things we're said from the same source.
This lad can hit and don't you forget
g. In that .39i batting average. Kloza
anassed last year were 81 home runs
and he can cover plenty Of territory in
the outheld. He has confidence in him
self. and may put up stiff battle for
ar ourheld position. Any one who can
IS entitled 20 much consideration The
boy from Milwaukee, viii bear watch
ing"
Depiores Jennings Passing.
Clark Griffith was deeply moved by
the news of Eughey Jennings death
ar Scranton and wired his condolences
70 Mrs. Jennings. Il remember well
when Hughie broke into base bail" said
the Nationals pilot. He was with
Louisville ard I vas playing with
Comiskey. Jennings was a VIGOROUSLY
weak batter and it was pleasantly IN
the league that a sign Of a pitcher
weakening was when be was unable TO
strike out the pepoery youngster.
Once ! was threatened with the
hook by Comiskey II a game because
Eughey got a foul of me. But he
was a game one. and in the period
while he vas developing into a fair
hitter he became famous for his ability
10 get 30 first By being hit by pitched
bali. He wore a pad over his heart.
and no matter how speedy was the
hurler re waE facing he never Ainched
when ne had an opportunity to get
q the way Of ball.
The game suffers when man o.
Jennings caliber passes on and, al
Though he has been negligible factor
3n the last two years. his Death VIII
be 6eplored everywhere"