Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-14
SHOWDOWN IS DUE
TODAY FOR JONES
Mccullough Is Recovering.
Mats Playing Cardinals
Today and Tomorrow.
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

Won PARK, Fla, March IA
" They are at 1t again. these New
~ York trademakers. Having no
4 \ game yesterday, many of the
Nationals, after short rest
following the morning drill motored to
st. Petersburg to see the world cham
pion Yankees battle with the Braves.
The first thing the Washington crowd
heard as it entered the ball park was
the rumor of deal that would send
Benny Tate catcher. to Miller Higgins
club and transfer to Walter Johnson's
outfit some player, probably an in
fielder. now on the Yankee roster.
Right now it should be said that
President Clark Griffith Immediately
declared there was no foundation for
the rumor. But then President Griffith
always brands as untrue or without base
any rumor of a deal involving his club
that comes from any source other than
Washington headquarters. And often
after President Griffith has so branded
rumor it becomes fact.
Griffith may know nothing of this
proposed deal for Tate, but those around
the Yankee camp seem to know much
concerning it. From sources close to
the New York club comes information
that Higgins sounded the Washington
ownership on the subject while the Ma
tionals were playing in st. Petersburg
Tuesday afternoon and later made
tentative offer for the catcher. The
offer was spurned at the time, It's
rumored. but so eager is Higgins to
acquire for the Yankees catcher with
the big league experience Tate has had
that he is ready to raise the ante and
is rather confident a trade can be
effected.
Yanks Need a Catcher.
The Yanks can stand the addition of
a catcher with considerable experience
in the majors. With Benny Bengough
greatly weakened by illness, the New
York Club has but one other receiver
who has put in much time in the big
show. He is John Grabowski and John
Is rated not so high as catcher, at
that. In addition to these, the catchers
on the Yankee roster are Bill Dickey
and Arndt Jorgens. Neither of these
has been SO impressive in trials thus far.
But Grifith insists there's nothing to
this rumor. Il might consider deal
that would give us player like Lazzeri
or Koenig for Tate, but know Higgins
would not dream of doing such thing
says Griffith. mot a chance of deal"
around the Yankee camp. They say at
st. Petersburg that Leo Durocher, pep
perry little infielder who can go well
either at second base or short stop, may
be offered. If Durocher is put up as a
trade for Tate, 1t may safely be said the
offer would be given serious conSidera-
ton by the Washington club.
It would have to be some exceptional
offer to tempt President Clark Griffith,
for the catching situation ION his club
is not so good as it promised TO be when
the training camp at Tampa opened.
Instead now having five receivers well
along in conditioning work as expected. |
there are but three who have made |
progress in fitting themselves for the
important business ahead. They are
the veterans Muddy Ruel and Tate and
the recruit AL Bool.
Ed Kenna and Cliff Bolton, the other |
members of the catching staff, will not |
be ready for heavy duty for some time. |
Kenna probably will have to idle along |
for two or three weeks more before he |
can begin using the throwing hand that |
went out of commission when foul |
ball split the thumb and dislocated the |
bone.
Bolton, who reported yesterday, II
days later than the time he was ordered
to appear at camp, is in low physical
condition following a seige of illness
that delayed his arrival at Tampa, and
Trainer Mike Martin says the young
receiver bought from High Point of the
Piedmont League will have to train
carefully several weeks before he can be
pressed into service.
Jones Case Still Unsettled.
When the Nationals left Tampa this
morning for this town, where they are
playing the Cardinals today and tomor-
row, the Jones case still was unsettled.
After declaring Sad Sam had to accept
the terms offered for this year or suffer
suspension yesterday, Griffith relented,
and said the pitcher could think it
oyer' through today.
Manager johnson was mainly re-
sponsible for the time extension
granted. Yesterday morning, Jones at
first refused to don a uniform and join
practice, but after a talk with his pilot
he dressed and went through workout
with the squad. He was to practice
again today at Tampa, but Griffith an
nounced this morning that there would
be no further extension of time for Sad
Sam.
It's sign today or be suspended" the
Washington prexy said just before his
club left for Avon Park, "and," he
added, Jones knows mean just that"
Paul Mccullough, the pitcher who
has been Ill at his home in Newcastle.
Pa, some time now, is on the road to
recovery and will report to the Ma
tionals before long, according to word
received at Tampa late yesterday.
The message to President Griffith
came from the doctor who is attending
Mccullough The physician wrote that
the pitcher has been suffering with
bronchitis following a severe attack of
influenza. but now seems on the mend
and should be able to leave home for
the South within few days.
AS expected, there now is an epidemic
OF sore arms raging among the Ma
tionals. However, it has not hit any
of the pitchers, and according to Trainer
Martin no one has to worry about the
others being so painfully affected. He
maintains that the infielders and out
fielders soon will work out the kinks in
their wings.
SO there's likely to be some wild peg
ging by the Nationals in their exhibit
ton games for short time.