The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-01-12
TNOEEKS
GRANTED
At SPA
By Kirk Miller

While the wind was blowing
around Washington this Morn
ing like a March lion, Joe
Judge zephyred softly into the
offices of the Washington
baseball club and lamb like
signed his name on the
speckled line to his 1929 base
ball contract.
In so doing, Judge almost created
q record for himself in what may be
called spring:signing, as he has not
always so readily come to terms
with the chief executive of the
team.
Thus, President Griffith was
leaning back in his swivel chair
this morning, feet upon his glass.
over a handful of four signed con-.
tracts, the players beside Judge
who have capitulated being Pitchers
Rraxton aud Hadley and outfielder
RED" Bar lfes.
Joe Judge not only put his
name to the papers which make
him officially a Griffmen next
season, but he asked permission
to go to Hot Springs for two
weeks at the clubs expense.
TO this request, Griff surrendered
without a struggle, proving that in
their long years of dealings, which
started back in 1915. both the club
president and his crack first-base.
man have learned there is little use
arguing or chewing the fat over
little matters of money-spending.
Instead of stalling around and
pulling fancy threats, the order of
procedure has resolved itself to the
business of each making as few
concessions as possible, shaking
hands over the matter. posing for a
dove of peace photograph and bow
ing thejE ways out of each others
presence.
All Of which may seem to
the casual readers, II any, to
be putting on q lot of agony
over the mere signing of
legal instrument by and between
a couple of baseball diplomats,
but when, you come to think
Of it Judges signing is really
aR event, in that he is a sort
Of an institution around Wash
lngtOn, like the monument, Jail
or White House.
So Joe will HE himself to the
Arkansas spa along about February
Is, spend two weeks dipping and
ducking among the varied waters
that resort affords, leaving Hot
Springs in time to report with his
regular team mates on March 10.
Goose Goslin's signed contract
had not been received when Presi-
dent Griffith announced Judges
coming into the fold, despite, the
fact that it has been in Goslin's
possession several days. More con.
tracts were expected before the day
was over, however. and Griffith
believes he will have no difficulty
herding every one of his prospects
into camp at the assigned hour.
Walter johnson today took
occasion to deny a report in
Baltimore newspapers to Q the
effect Guy Cantrell, the husky
right handler who came to
Washington from the Orioles at
the close of last season, would
again pitch for the Birds.
Every young pitcher who reports
to Tampa win have a thorough
trial with my club" said johnson
from his Bethesda ranch this
morning and that goes for Cantrell
as well as the rest. Until each
has proved he can't pitch major
league ball, he may consider he
has prospect of sticking in major
company.
81 have seen a great deal of
Cantrell's work during my year in
the international League where he
has performed and am in a better
position to know something of his
probable future than l am any OF
the others hope to inspect. Ger.
tatnly his fate Is not sealed at this
early stage, and that goes for every
man who will report at Plant
Field
Washingtonians will be watching
Tor tidings of the progress of
young pitcher who turned up in
local livery back in 1925 and who is
TO be given chance to stick with
the New York Giants this season.
He Is Harry Kelly, obtained from
Memphis where he had a splendid
year in 1928. Kelly lead the South
ern Association in the important
matter of holding down earned runs
last season, permitting but 2.3S per
nine-inning game. He won 81 and
lost 10 games. He was quite a
kid when he first reported to Wash
ington and made an impression
both with his promise and his az
liability. Many OF the players still
with the Griffs who recall his pres
ence here. will be pulling for him
TO mako the Giant nrrnda