Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-25
BY WILLIAM PEET,
SPORTS Editor. Honolulu Advertiser.


Y Y ONOLULU, H. I-"You left the
- most beautiful city in America
for the most wonderful climate
in the world-you lucky dog.
"You don't remember me-but used
to know you in Washington-thel last
time I saw you was in 1911. Did any
thing happen during the year Of 1911
that stands out in your memory?"
These questions were fred at me 50
quickly that I had to stop and figure
what it was all about-as looked in
to the eyes of a stocky, little round
faced chap, trifle bald, but well dress
ed and apparently malanini, as new
corners are termed by the Hawallans'
My visitor Is a government agent,
sent here to investigate something, and
he knew me when shaved for a WASH
ington newspaper.
But the year 1911 will never for
get that year as long as live.
do not believe that any ball club
in the major leagues experienced such
season as did the Nationals In 1911,
and things began to happen almost
the first day the squad arrived In
Atlanta, where the club Spring trained
for the first and probably the last time
Jim McAIeer Was Manager.
Jimmy McAleer was the Nationals
manager, an old timer, q former great
outfielder, now q retired business man
in youngstown, Ohio.
OF all the misfit major league squads
in training, the Nationals of 1911 were
that-and then some. A mixture OF
veterans who had seen their best days
of youngsters who were too green to
be of any use at all, and four newspaper
men, one of whom became so disguised
with the outlook that he wired his paper
he was coming home and made good
the threat
The late Tom Noyes, president OF the
Washington club, arrived in the old
Kimball House one bright morning and
lost no time going into huddle with
Jimmy McAleer.
Walter johnson, Washington's great
pitcher, had not signed his contract. It
seems that Ty Cobb or somebody had
told Walter he was a sucker to pitch
for such small salary and advised
him to hold out.
Jimmy McAleer had old-fashioned
ideas about salaries, and while he usu-
ally backed UP his ball players in the
matter of salary, he knew down in hii
heart that the Nationals could not pos
sibly nay johnson the money he wanted
and good old Tom NoyeS had a long
talk with the pitcher, explaining why
salary demands could not be met.
johnson Proves Stubborn.
johnson was stubborn and held out
McAleer was also stubborn and pur-
sued another tack.
He ordered Walter johnson back to
EN,N ~ WhMYl
Walter decided to accept the salary the
club could afford to pay him, he could
report for work.
That was the first bombshell in this
Atlanta training camp.
The team worked out but once q day
from IL O'Clock until 1880, and the
trainer was Alligator Joe" Quirk.
Kid EIberfeld was the regular third
baseman, George Mcbride played short
stop, Germany Schaefer at second, and
John Henry on first. In the outnelo
Clyde Milan, Bill Cunningham and q
flock Of recruits.
The shifting Of Henry to first base
left Eddie Ainsmith the only depend
able catcher, but for pitchers, McAlee1
had Bob Groom, Dolly Gray, Long
Tom" Hughes, wild Bill" Otey and q
dock of recruits, who could not make
good In the old "Swampoodle League"
Instead Of spending four weeks in
Atlanta, the Nationals were there foE
six or seven, I have forgotten Just how
long-and all because something else
happened
Fire Races Wooden STANDS.
The wooden grandgtand and fences
Of the ball park IN Florida avenue
burned down and 1t was decided to keep
the players In Atlanta until q few days
before the season opened, as work was
being pushed in the construction OF
what is now the fine concrete and steel
grandstand at Griff1th Stadium.
This 1911 training camp jaunt will
never be forgotten because Of the many
little incidents that are remembered
wildly.
I roomed with Louie Dougher, VINO