National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-08
THE wAsu1NGToN NATIONALS.

The Men Who VIII Represent Our
City in the League ah1 How the
Capacity of the Team May he Esti-
mated.
Practically the men that will compose
the playing strength Of the Washington Ma
tionals have been selected and their names
given to the public. They are Baker, Barr,
Knowles, and Gladmon, of last years local
team; Start, Hines, Gilligan, Shaw, and
Carroll, of last years Providence club;
Crane Of the Boston Unions of 's4, and
Hines, formerly Of the Bostons. There is a
possibility that EsteTbrook may be added
to this list. In that case Start would hardly
beneeded, though he is one of the best of first
basemen and very strong batter, seldom
falling much below percentage of 300 in
that important particular. Thlsag aggregation
shows three catchers in Gilligan, NJ. Hines,
and Baker, and three pitchers in Shaw,
Barr, and Crane. The inneld, with Start
included and Esterbrook left out, will prob.
ably be Start, 1b; Paul Hines, 2b. Glad
mon, 3D., and Knowles, S., with Carroll,
Baker, and Crane to guard left, center, and
right fields respectively. II Esterbrook
should be, secured and Start left out, Baker
will play first base, Knowles second, and
Gladmon third, and Esterbrook short field,
relegnting Paul Hines to his home position
of center field. Or Hines could 90 to second
and Knowles take center. Either arrange
ment would do very well. 1t may not be
generally known that Hines was formerly
ranked among the crack second basemen Of
the country.
In trying to estimate the standing our
club may attain IL should be borne in mind
that II includes the best men of the Prov
idence team, and no one conversant with
base ball affairs is ignorant of the fact that
few stronger clubs have ever won fame
than that which so long upheld the ban
ners of the Rhode Island capital. They are
strong experienced players who would be
| considered an acquisition to any club in the
| country. Tho merits Of the quartette that
remaips from last years Nationals need
no discussion in Washington. Mike
Hines could not throw to bases
last year, but claims that his
arm has regained its former strength. II
his claim is borne out by The seasons play,
no better catcher could be desired, and In
| batting only Ewing and Bennett are likely
| to excel him, Crane is one Of the finest
right fielders ever seen, his extraordinary
throwing powers enabling him to frequent
| ly turn what seem to be safe hits into outs.
In addition he is an effective pitcher re-
markably good catcher, plays all in-ield
| positions well, and in short is agood utility
| man, ana also capital Dattcr.
| Considering the qualities Of the men that
President IIewett's liberality and unstinted
support Of Manager Scanlon's judgments
has secured TO cater to the amusement of
the base ball loving public Of Washington,
1t is quite apparent that II they can be fused
together and brought to work with en-
thusiasm and harmony as q team, it is not
impossible that the home club will make a
formidable fight for first position even.
The Providence Club won the champion
ship twice. The home team is sure to be o
stronger all around batting club than
Providence ever had, and ought to be
equally as good in fielding, pitching, and
base running. The real problem will be to
Undue the players with general desire for
the success Of the club and friendly con-
fldence in each other. With that all-essen-
tial state Of feeling secured, the sneerlng
comments that assign to Washington the
doubtful honor Of contesting with Kansas
City for the last place in the League race
will easily be made ridiculous.