Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04
RED TO GET EXTRA
TRAINING FOR TASK
Might Help Mats Greatly if
in Proper Trim for
Steady Work.
BY JOHN B. KELLER.
( v VILLAIN MCKINLEY HAE

&A441141 EACk142NG6I x1<11k-
NV GRAVE, who has been in
v v and out Of the American
League several times
since the Washington club FIRST
bought him from New Haven af-
ter the 1922 season, has an idea
he can help the Nationals greatly
in their base ball campaigning
this year and very likely the red
matched catcher will not lack
opportunity TO prove his worth.
With Muddy Ruel gone to the Red
Sox, it seems Red should get good
shot at comeback, for other than Roy
Spencer the Washington club hasn't
such a lot in the way of receivers to
fall back on. Pat Charity, although
stu rated a catcher, isn't TO be more
than q coach, and Ed Kenna, brought
back from Chattanooga, Is something of
an uncertainty, while Cliff Bolton, also
recalled from the Lookouts, never has
revealed much ability behind the bat.
When Hargrave was procured from
the Tigers by waiver late last Septem-
Der 1t was not believed the Nationals
would keep him long. He was supposed
10 be something that could be used for
trading material between seasons. How
ever, Red was not convinced he was
through as big Lacquer, and by his
earneStnesS he has sold himself to
President Clark Grifith
Working on Weight.
Hargraye was fat to the stage of tub
biness when he transferred from the
Tigers to the Nationals. He had hurt
loot early in the season and the hurt
kept him idle so long that he piled on
weight. Red Is Of the type that piles
on weight unless kept hard at work.
But Red Is working for the electric
company IN Fort Wayne, his home town,
this Winter and recent advices from
the Indiana municipality state that Red,
through climbing poles, stringing heavy
cables and what not, Is fast getting
down to normal poundage.
This news so pleased President Grit
nth that he worte Hargrave telling the
catcher to take a trip to Hot Springs
early in February before proceeding to
the Nationals camp at Biloxi. Grifith
thinks that early training at the
Arkansas spa will put Hargrave in fine
fettle Tor good start on the Mississippi
conditioning field.
II Hargrave comes around as expected
ne may likely be Of much benefit TO the
Nationals In their campaigning this
year. Red not only is q right steady re-
celver, but he also swings q powerful bat
When In good coT-cition. His hitting was
notnlng to brag about last season, but
Lnen ne was handicapped by his injured
foot and overweight. In the pink. how
ever, he is apt to be dangerous at the
plate.
No Wabbling Veteran.
AS big league catchers 60, Red is no
WaoDllng veteran. He will be lust 81
years old the last day of this month.
which, as lar as age Is concerned. classes
MIN with Gabby Hartnett of the ClIbs.
Rsd Is but little older than Mickey
Cochrane and AL Sukeforth, clever
receiver with the Reds, and much
younger than John DeBerry, Val
Flcinicn and lack Taylor, National
League backstopping stars.
Hargrave has back of him a dozen
years OF experience in professional base
Dall. He started with Waterbury in
tne eastern League in 1919 and re-
NAMED In tie same circuit until he
oonned Washington uniform in 1924.
ne also has played with the Browns
ana the Tigers, and since coming I'm
10 the big show has been back in the
minors but once. That was in 1927.
Wnen ne played with Toronto of the
international League
hargrave's major league career bat
Ling average Is about .286, but he did
some Ilne hitting for the Tigers in 1929
Inen ne socked for an average of .33f
ana was particularly capable as a
plnch-batter. He did we'll last wear
700. until injured. Red was an ont
ano-out right-hand swineer when he
came up to the Nationals in 1928 blIt
later shifted to the other side Of the
plate. However, he still can meet 'er,
rom the right side, If he regains his
niCting form he likely will be seen in
many games this year.
IneSe are busy days at President
Grlfnth'S Office. alongside the bali nary
on Georgia avenue. EarIv tniS Ireeh
the Washington prexy mailed contracts
LOT 1881 to many of the Nationals. an
otner patch was sent out yesterday and
tomorrow Griffith hopes to have ali On
the way. Letters, of course. accomnsnv
ali contracts, and as Grifith has differ-
enG ways OF dealing with his athletes
ne has had plenty to do.
some OF the boys are bound to balk
az Terms onered, and considerable cor
[eSPonoence between the bakers and
Griffith will follow. This hannens an
nually Some few will sign witho,,t
kicking, but very few A bali PLAYER
usually kicks about a new contract.
even though there may be little reason
Tor his kick. Ball players are that Way.
However, Griffith doesn't anticipate any
serious trouble. He looks for no hold
outs such as Spencer and Goose Goslin
were last year
On Tuesday the annual meeting of
the washington club stockholders viii
be held at the club headquarters. The
club prospered during 1880 and a melon
may be cut, but the stockholders might
decide. instead, to put the profits into
enlargement of the plant Building of
right-f1eld bleacher was discussed last
year, so such stand may be erected
back OF right field before the 1881
opening rolls around.