Evening Star Newspaper, March 2, 1927, Page 36

r - S PORTS. THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, ¢ D. 0., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1927 SPORTS. Speaker’s Only Worry Now Concerns 1927 World Series Ticket Block, He Says TRIS IN PRIME CONDITION | TO BEGIN TRAINING GRIND Rest at Texas Home Restores Weight Lost During Nerve-Wracking Winter—McNeely and Cul- lop in First Practice With Griffs. } " beaten out of his berth as a regular in center field by the acquisition of Speaker, would be the other, but nothing definite has been settled on that score, and won't be for several weeks, for Henry Cullop, Bernie Neis and Ollle Tucker still must be con- sidered. McNeely and Cullop Arrive. McNeely got in his first practice vesterday, following his long train ride from the coast and showed up in good shape, as usual, with no excess avoirdupois to shed.” Cullop was another who partici- pated in his initial workout and gave the impression of being some few pounds overweight. Cullop is a six- footer who tips the beam at about 196 when in condition and with the St. Paul Club of the American Asso- clation last season clinched his repu- tation of being a long distance hitter by evolving a flock of home runs while amassing an average of .314. He is scheduled to receive an inspec- tion first base, a position at which he had some experience, al- though nominally rated as an out- flelder. Based on the showing he made yesterday when he was stationed at the initial corner for the first time in practice, Emmett McCann will be BY DENMAN THOMPSON, Sports Editor, The Star. AMPA, Fla, March 2.—With Tristam Speaker on deck, along with Catcher Muddy Ruel and Inflelder Stuffy Stewart, the squad of Nationals in train- ing for the 1927 championship season of the American League today was complete with the lone exception of Pitcher Joe Carroll, the tonsil pa- tient, whose status as a Griffman has Just about resolved itself into being non-existent. Speaker arrived yesterday evening with his wife after a train ride of nearly 48 hours from his home State of Texas. Met at the station by a reception committee consisting of President Clark Grifith and Manager Bucky Harris, he posed with these worthies for the inevitable photo- graphers and then was whisked to the hotel which will be his headquarters for the next month while prepping for the base ball campaign ahead. Although close to 40 and with a thinning thatch of hue that has caused him to be termed the “gray eagle of the diamond,” Speaker has the clear eye and ruddy cheek of an athlete in superb physical condition, and a glance at his powerful frame makes understandable the fact that he has been a big league star for the better part of two decades since he broke in with the Boston Red Sox. Ready to Start Work. Gone are the facial lines and other marks of worry which developed as a result of the unsubstantiated charges of irregularities made against him, Ty Cobb and Joe Wood, during the past ‘Winter by Dutch Leonard and in their place is the keen, but kindly expres- sion that fans had come to know dur- ing all the time he was making history along with Dufty Lewis and Harry Hooper at Boston as the keystone figure of what probably was the great- est outfield the game ever produced and later as chief of Cleveland's Red- skins. Due to mental stress occasioned by the trials and tribulations attendant upon the accusations hurled following the close of last season, Speaker was considerably underweight when the day of his complete vindication came ‘with the now famous decision of Com- missioner Landis, but after several weeks of rest at the home of his mother in Hubbard, Tex., he has pick- ed up just enough poundage in excess of his best playing figure to allow for the reduction that training will entall. Spoke has little to say about the eventualities of the past Winter, the only time in his 39 years of age that his integrity ever has been questioned, but philosophically has concluded that perhaps it was all for the best. 1 never would have realized other- wise just how many friends I have,” be observed today. Glad He Picked Griffs. *“T got a lot of comfort out of the flood of messages I received voicing confidence in me when that bombshell first was and when I lined up with Clark Grifith the telegrams and letters of congratulations which poured in made it apparent I had made Do _mistake in picking my club.” Tris took occasion to deny that he Jockeyed around to get several for services and there- infe Mack the Miller Huggins of the Yankees were merely meaningless gestures because he already was bound to the Nationals. “I simply had assured Griff that I wouldn't close with anybody until I h-:la glven him a chance,” Speaker 4. ““When we had our decisive talk on the phone he declined to make any offer, but insisted that I name my terms and when I did he accepted them instantly. That's all there was t. i “It's unnecessary for me to say that I'm glad to be associated with Griff and Harris and to play in Wash- ington where the fans always have treated me fine. I intend to prove my appreciation for their support and friendship by giving everything there is in me out there on the fleld and fully expect to have the very best season of my career. Sees Nats in World Series. “Knowing a thing or two about the bunch that is assembled here, about the only concern I have is how I am solng to be able to fix up all my friends with world series tickets in ‘Washington next Fall."” ‘It was raining wiien speaker’s train pulled in, but Manager Harris chose to regard that as a good omen. “It may be a dark day when Tris arrives,” Bucky smilingly remarked to Griff while they were awaiting spoke, “but it will be a bright day mext October when he helps us land another pennant.” Not more than a couple of looks at Sam West were necessary to convince all observers that he is one of the most promising outfleld candidates to come up for inspection by the Na- tionals in many a Spring. The Birm- Ingham youngster—he's just 20—has plenty of what the sharps term “‘action,” meaning that all his move- ments resemble those of a real ball player. He not only is & sure catcher of a fly ball, but he has the speed of foot S0 mecessary for patrol work in the outer stretches and a strong throwing arm with it. West s heaving, by the way, is done with his portside flipper, which makes him a lefthander all the way through as he also bats from the other side of the plate. Incidentally, it is his manner of wielding a war club that is largely responsible for the favor- able impression he has created in camp at this early stage. Looks Good at Bat. Although giant in stature, being 6 feet 103% inches in height, and welighing 165 pounds, he takes & nat- ural, free swing at the ball, and his| Ladl eye is s0 keen gnd his timing so well perfected that he gets as much pro- pelling power into his swats as some of the much heftier athletes. ‘West was the victim of a serlous accident last season while performing ‘with the Barons, when he was struck squarely on the head above the eyes with & pitched ball. It was feared for & time that his skull was frac- tured, and that his vision might be ently impaired or, if not, that close call might make him “ball shy.” He asserts, however, that he has experienced no bad after-effects from the mishap. His sight apparently is as good as it ever was, and there has been no trace of nervousness nor timidity in his actions at bat. He has been standing up there without the sign of & flinch and not only taking a good eut at the ball, but riding it to all corners of the lot. It would seem that West stands an excellent chance of being kept as one of the two extra woutfielders the club plans to carry. It bas been regarded as about set- fled in advance that Eerl MoNesly, A the chief contender for the job of understudy to Joe Judge, however. The recruit from Columbus, with which team he batted .337 last sea- son, flashed a commendable brand of agility around the initial corner. This native Philadelphian of 24 years is a rangy chap, lacking but half an inch of standing six feet, and welghing 167 pounds and al- though he is a right-hand tosser, displayed encouraging form in get- ting the ball away from him. McCann Shines in Drill. McCann naturally is fast and is a good flelder, a fact that he has al- ready demonstrated to the satisfaction of everybody by his previous servitude as a shortstopper. His principal dif- ficulty at first base will be in locating that bag to receive throws and in learning to shift his feet, but with his natural aptitude this is not expected to prove a difficult task for him. Stationed at first base in the kid infleld drill which wound up_yester- day’'s practice, and with Jack Blair at second, Bob Reeves at short, and Grant Gillis at third, McCann im- pressed all observers with his potential capabilities as an initial sacker. He not only disports with the quick, lithe movements of a real athlete, but gives the impression of being a heady chap and forms with West and Reeves the most valuable trio of youngsters in camp, exclusive of the batterymen. Stanley Harris is favoring his throw- ing arm a bit due to a lameness which developed yesterday in his right elbow and Ralph Stewart's salary wing has contracted a minor kink, but aside from them and Cullop, who has a sore hip that caused him to be excused from shagging flies, the only alling athletes in camp are Alvin Crowder and Decatur Jones. Each of these has a form of ring worm on the foot, similar to the infection which caused Roger Peckinpaugh so much trouble last Spring. They submitted to an X-ray treatment yesterday, however, and the trouble having been caught in its inception no serious difficulty is expected. First Game Pitchers. They are among the most advanced flingers in the squad and proof of this is found in the announcement made today by .boss Bucky that they will be sent to the hill against the Boston National Leaguer in the first exhibition game of the season here Saturday. The General and Admiral will share mound duty in the finitial contest with Horace Lisenbee, each being scheduled to toil on the mound for three innings against Dave Ban- oroft’s Braves. With the | CATCHER DRAFTED FROM NEW HAVEN CLUB TRYING FOR BERTH WITH GRIFFS HOPPE IS WINNER DESPITE |CAPABLANCA'S CHESS MATSUYAMA'’S FINE RALLY!/| LEAD IS THREATENED Kinrey Matsuyama, youthful Jap- anese cue star, who fell before Willie Hoppe, American, defending his world championship, in the opening match of the international 18.2 balkline title tournament last night at Arcadia Au- ditorium, was to meet Welker Coch- ran, another American entry, this afternoon in a tourney contest begin- ning at 2:30 o’clock, while Edouard Horemans of Belgium will encounter Europe’s champlion, Felix Grange of France, in a night match starting at 8:156 o’clock. The opening contest of the 11-day tournament was won by Hoppe, but it took the stellar cueist 19 innings to round out the 400 billiards, while the Japanese was checking up 386. The champion with an average of 21 1-19 to Matsuyama’s 20 6-19, bowed to his opponent for high run honors, getting but 115 in the eighteenth in- ning to 129 for the Japanese in the sixteenth. Hoppe's victory came after he had been given quite a scare by Matsu- yama. At the end of the fifteenth in- ning, the champion had a seemingly comfortable lead of 363 to 139. While Hoppe had not been shooting so bril- liantly excepting in the eighth inning, when he totaled 115, but Matsuyama had been having all kinds of trouble. Many poor alignments and kiss shots harassed the little Japanese, but he stuck to his task gamely. Bowlers OR the third time, the Beeques of the Washington Ladles’ League have set all-time’ Dis- trict duckpin records for wom- en’'s game and set. Their latest achievement in this t was re- corded last night on the Coliseum drives, when they socked the little maples for counts of 500, 685 and 575 to register a set of 1,660. The set total bettered by 69 pins the record they established on the same alleys on January 18 of this year,and during the heavy bowling they twice exceeded the record game of 561 bowl- ed on the same date. It was thought that after the Ja. uary performance the figures of 661 and 1,691 would stand for some time, but with the records fiow set at 1,660 and 685 and the Beeques apparently apt to step out at any time and knock the duckpins galley west there’s no telling what may happen. Pauline Thomas led the Beeques to this smashing success and in doing sa rolled a set of 379, bettering by a sirigle pin the league season record that had been held by Rena Levy of the Columbians. Catherine Quigley also broke into the season record maker’s class, when she got 96 in her first game without the aid of a mark. The previous flat game record of 94 was by Margaret Boston, Edna Balley and Bertha Greevy. Here are the statistics of the Beeques' remarkable performance last night: 10/ 02 19— 320 41— 37 lgé: 34 Kl auli) ‘athe i ety 5756 1.660 It was on December 15, 1925, that the Beeques began their record-break- ing business. Then in a Washington 3 e match they hit for a total of 1,626 to beat the old mark. And it was Pauline Thomas who led the attack that time with a set of 3. This record hitting by the Beeques last night got them three games from | the Climbers and strengthened their . hold_on first place in the Wuhinx-i ton es® ue. In other league contests the Commercials took three | from the Bethanys and the Hilltoppers took two of three games rolled against the Daughters of Isa- bella. Kumbacks, Columbians, Na~ tionals and Frankies did not bowl last night. Shooting two of their games above TROUSERS To Match Your Odd Coats EISEMAN'S, 7th & F [t S e e ) the 600 mark, the Smithflelds swept their set with the Nomads in the Ath- letic Club League. The scores were 615, 633 and 659, to 516, 516 and 544. Al Work, southpaw lead-off bowler of the Smithfields, etsablished "a league season record when he got a set of 401, with games of 126, 143 and 182, Ninth No. 1 did some fine counting In the East Washington Church League when it swept a set with Ninth No. 2. It shot games of 555, 563 and 543 for a set of 1,661. Forney headed the Ninth No. 1 onset with a set of 348 that included a game of 151. Parker-Bridget handed the Carry Ice Creams a 2-to-1 setback in the Commercial circuit. The Carrys did not come to life until the final game, when they won by 31 pins. Boilermakers managed to take two of three games from Rallway Mail Service In the Terminal R. R. Y. M. C. A. League. Good !hmlng by Ed- wards and Bowling in the first and last games accounted for the success of the Boilermakers. —_— ARCADIA CUE TOURNEY IS ANNEXED BY KELLEY George Kelley won the pocket bil- liard tournament at the Arcadla, van- quishing Joe McCann, 100 to 56. Kel- ley made a run of 34 to triumph. Mo- Cann was runner-up in the tourna- ment with Gene Ruarke, third. Charles Bartelmes, Fred Talbert and Edward Tindel were tied for fourth place. Cross meets Martin tonight at 8 o'clock in the pocket-billlard tourna- ment at Scanlon’s. Green defeated Hissey last night, 100 to 67. LSl i e ANOTHER BALL PLAYER. JACKSONVILLE, Ill, March 2 (®). —When Gus Felix, an outflelder with the Brooklyn Nationals, goes to Clear- water, Fla., Saturday to join his club, he will have a piece of news for the boys. A son was bgrn to Mr. and Mrs. Felix here yesterday. HAWKINS NASH Ui MOTOR CO. Conveniently Located on Fourteenth Street 1333-37 14th St. Main 5780 Then Matsuyama clicked off his high run of 129 against Hoppe's 2 in the sixteenth inning, and from then on the little fellow outshot his oppon- ent, but the latter’s lead proved too great to be overcome. Matsuyama hit 118 to Hoppe's 35 in the last three innings,- but the lone point negotiated with a three-cushion shot by Hoppe in the nineteenth meant victory. The detalled score of the opning match of the tournament follows: Matsuy; AN 8 818 318 eione Hoppe— SHB BT MURR 2o o Cooney Has Broken Arm. BOSTON, Mass., March 2 (#).—John Cooney, southpaw pitcher, is the Braves' first casualty of the season. Just before starting South, he had an X-ray taken of an injured arm. Pictures arriving at the St. Peters- burg, Fla., camp show a clear break in a small bone near the elbow. Cooney wanted to pack his grip for home, but Manager Bancroft per- suaded him to try surgery. VOIGT WINS ON LINKS. PALM BEACH, Fla., March 2 (®).— George J. Voigt, Washington medalist, moved a step nearer to the Palm Beach golf championship by defeat- ing K. T. Campbell, Kansas City, Mo., 6 and 6, in the annual tournament over the Palm Beach Country Club course, By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, March 2.—Aron Nim- zowitsch of Copenhagen, most dan- gerous rival of Jose H. Capablanca, world chess champlon, in the interna- tional masters’ tournament here, held the Cuban to a draw after 30 moves in an eighth-round match. Nimzowitsch further added to his standing In the series by drawing with Frank J. Marshall, United States champion, in an adjourned seventh- round match. Capablanca had the white pieces in a queen's pawn opening against which Nimzowitsch set an irregular defense with a queen’s side flanchetto. Both played a steady defense and after ex- changing the four rooks on the twenty- fifth and twenty-seventh moves, ac- cepted the draw result. The standings: Lost. The pairings for the ninth round: Alekhine and Marshall, Splelman and Nibzowitsch, Vidmar and Capablanca. TOPS HOCKEY SCORERS. MONTREAL, March 2 (#).—Capt. Dick Irvin of the Chicago Black Hawks has forged to the front in the race for scoring honors in the National Hockey League, The scoring and pen- alty statistics up to and including games of February 27, issued, credit Irvin with 16 goals and 13 assists, for a total of 29 points. This player has a tine reputation as receiver and throwet, but so far those directing the N 3 g know N rainin little of his possibilities as a batter. BUSH IS SATISFIED WITH PIRATES’ WORK PITTSBURGH, Pa., March 2 (#).— ‘With nearly every regular mounds man of the Pittsburgh Pirates already in shape and eager for the opening gun, Manager Donie Bush at the Paso Robles, Calif., camp today was re- ported as ‘certainly satisfled” with the form shown by his charges after & six-day"training grind. Lee Meadows, Vic Aldridge, Johnny Morrison, Don Songer, Emil Yde and Carmen Hill unleashed their wares yesterday while Bush stood behind the slab. “It's remarkable,” he said after the workout. “We've been in camp less than a week and nearly every first- string pitcher is ready to step out.” A twisted leg tendon will probably keep “Bullet Joe” Bush, veteran speed baller, from strenuous practice for several weeks. He received the injury during the early workouts. FOURA. L. UMPIRES GO SOUTH TO TRAIN By the Associated Prees. CHICAGO, March 2.—Now it is the turn of the umpires to shove off for the Spring training trips, and the American League today ordered four of its staff to start South. Unlike the players whom they di- rect, the umpires have the option of making the training trip or staying home with the family until the sea- son opens officially. Clarence Rowland has been assign- ed to the Yankees' exhibition games. Red Ormsby will officiate for the ‘Washington Senators.. Frank Mo Gowan will travel with the Cleveland club and Ed Geisel will handle the in- dicator for the Athletics. Billy Evans has ' already gone South, but he manipulates the type- writer instead of the indicator. Tom- my Connolly and Bill Dineen prefer to stay by the home firesides, while Brick Owens sticks with his flower shop until the 12th of April. A meeting of Corinthian senior base ballers will be held tonight at 318 New York avenue at 8:30 o'clock. " RADIATORS, FENDERS SRR, 1538 14th St. N. N.W. BREAKING THE RECORD Liccxrr & Myzas Tosacco Co. SUMMA IS HOPE OF TRIBE TO FILL SPEAKER’S SHOES Fletcher Proving His Worth as Coach of Yankees. Leifield Takes Charge of Detroit Hurlers. Weather Is Balking White Sox. By the Associated Press. LEVELAND, March 2.—Homer Summa, Cleveland Indian foremost contender today for the relinquished center fleld berth of Tris Speaker, now with As Manager Jack McCallister lined up the Indian aggregation at Lake- land, Fla., today Summa was on top George Gerken, late of the Decatur Three-1 Leaguers, siatedl as his under- study. Fred Elchrodt and Pat Me- between them. President Barnard has announced that Sherry Smith, veteran southpaw out after recelving the highest offer in his career in professional base ball. NEW YORK, March 2 (#).—The they call him down at the Yankee's training ball yard in St. Petersburg, Fla., and he's beginning to show his Although approaching middle age and with hair thinning on top, Art Fletcher has a critical job with the son. No triples will ring off his bat in the tenth to win a game and he won't strike out with the bases full, way of the Yanks, much of the credit will go to the Phillles’ former man- er. “Hlu Job is to coach and make a lot already he has injected a lot of ginger. The Giants, warming up to their work at BSarasota, now find only missing from the dining room. In counting noses John McGraw was pleased to find nine college diplomas bridge rubbers, he said. ‘The last of the holdouts has disap- peared from the Brooklyn squad at and Pitcher Bob McGraw have ac- cepted terms. Doug McWeeny and Rube Ehrhardt also joined the fold. Leifield, veteran mound star, has taken personal charge of the flock of young pitchers aspiring for a berth training camp in San Antonlo, Tex. Leifleld, during the first two days at the camp, has been scrutinizing mental notes of faults and good points alike and laying the cards on the table before George Moriarty, new Lee in both St, Louis and Boston, de- clared the left-handed flinger to be the game and Moriarty apparently ooncurs in the opinion. Meantime the remainder of the paces by Moriarty. The new Tyger boss remained adamant in his de- cision to discharge “Tiny” Owens, breaking training rules the first day in camp. Although Owens showed up at the ball park yesterday with his been assigned Owen Carroll and an outflelder named Holland from Toronto joined CHICAGO, March 2 (#).—Manager Ray Schalk of the White Sox, baffled for two days by bad weather, hopes right flelder, appeared the | Washington of a dog-pile for the position, -with Nulty will have Summa’'s old place and more recently a coach, is a hold- “most important rookie of the season” worth. American League champions this sea- but if the pennant again comes the of noise. As spark plug for rookles, Bill Terry, Ross Young and Ed Roush in the squad—plenty of material for Clearwater. Arnold Statz, outflelder, DETROIT, March 2 (F).—“Lefty” with the Detroit Tygers at their the work of the pitchers, making Tyger manager. Fohl, who had Leifield with him one of the best coaches of pitchers in squad was sent through preliminary San Antonio pitching recruit, for uniform, he was told no locker had him. the squad yesterday. to get his first look today at his 35, $6, 37, Stnce FLORSHEIM SHOES cost no more— The fact that FLORSHEIM SHOES cost no more in the long run, than the ordinary kind, does away with the sonly reason for wearing an ordinary shoe! Wear Florsheims at all times. Mot Styles $1() Otl:er "Hahn Leadeu“ ‘0!‘ Mofl Ready for Spring 414 9th 3212 14th 233 Pa. Ave. S.E. “Man’s Shop”—14th at G rookies in action before the veterans arrive to ocoupy his time. Schalk, who had some practios on coaching young ball players at the Untversity of Wisconsin before he was appointed this Winter to manage the Sox, gathered his youngsters in the baliroom yesterday during a rain to givo them some encouraging talk. Hikes over the country roads be- tween chowers have been the only training achleved so far. The Chicago Cubs wN be ready for their first fiveinning practice game by the last of the week, Manager Jack MeCarthy thinks. The rookles and the regulars each had a turn at the bat and in the fleld at Catalina yes- terday, and John Brillheart, a. promis- ing southpaw acquisition, served up some midseason curves to show his condition. PHILADELPHIA, March 2 (®).- Stuffy McInnis, new manager of the Philadelphia Nationals, sees no need for luncheon during the base ball training season and has asked his ayers at camp in Bradenton, Fla. mit their midday meal. Some of them have agreed and McInnis saysg that will be his dally program when practice starts in earnest next week with the arrival of the inflelders and outfielders. Only batterymen are at the camp now. At Fort Myers, Fla., the Athletics, with two workouts a day, are slowly rounding into form. The squad has been augmented by Chick 'Galloway and Zach Wheat. Cobb, Barbee and Pate, the only absentees, are expeoted Iater in the week. 2 CINCINNATI, March 2 (#).— Charley horses and aching backs re- sulted in orders for a “witch hazel” session in the Orlando, Fla., camp of the Cincinnati Reds today, where Manager Jack Hendricks decreed that the third day of practice woul see only one session on the lot from 9 until noon. b Casualties from stiff muscles and * sunburn were the only ones . however, since the pitching staff has had” two good workouts and Joe Tinker, former manager of the Cubs, asserted that either Ford or Pittinger at shortstop looked good. ‘Walter Christensen arrived at camp last night, and the expected appear- ance of Curt Walker, tomorrow winds up the late arrivals. ST. LOUIS, March 2 ().—With the exception of Flint Rhem, a pitcher, and Tommy Thevenow, inflelder, both holdouts, and three outflelders, the Cardinals’ roster at Avon Park, Fla., accounts for all of Manager Bob O’Farrel's men. Frankie Frisch, who will fill Rogers Hornsby’s shoes at second base, was the target of all eyes today as he took his first workout. He batted only three points under Hornsby last sea- :g;n and it was his worst year since 0. Jimmy Ring, Billy-Southworth and the recruit catcher, Joe Burns, prop- erty of Houston, also put their names on the camp register. r Yesterday was “George Sisler day" at the Tarpon Springs, Fla., training cantp of the Browns, and he jumped into action the same day he arrived at the fleld that still bears his name. Some of the young pitchers have lost some of their confldence since he shot drives into all parts of the park yes- terday. Manager Dan Howley grin- ned and saild nothing. $8 to $14 7th &K . 1914-16 Pa. Ave.