Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-07
TIE WASHINGTON BALL CLUB.
Mem Who Compose the Team and What
In Expected 81 Them.

history OF THE cLUB-sKEICHEs AND RECORDS or
THE sRSAToRs-THEIR sPEcIALTIEs AND PEcuLIARI-
rIEs-cooD TEAM WORK PRoxIsED-THs SKw MEN
FROM The WEST AND THEIR REMARKABLE PLAYING.
The Washington Base Ball Club has been men,
per OF the National League for two seasons and is
about TO enter upon its third with good prospects
~ mas often been said that Washington Is good
base ball city, but, like In all other cities, the
lovers OF the sport expect to see the home club do
conscientious IL not the best OF work, and the
present management OF the team have so far
recognized this fact that they have spared no
pains 10 secure good men from elsewhere, and to
heal those wounds of internal dissenson that have
heretofore caused jealousy and consequent care
lessness. SO that there can be no doubt that the
aggregation OF baseball talent that will sail under
the senatorial banner during the coming season
Will De the best that washington mas ever known,
club nas done Tnis is NOT hased y npn the enthu.
slasin that generally comes with the opening OF
tne season, but upon the work that has been done,
q few weeks ago.
TIE RECORD OF THE WASHINGTON CLUB
during the past TWO years has been an encoura.
ging one, viewed as q whole, since there has been
progression, even though 1t may have been but one
point, 1t was enough to save the team from the
lSnominy OF going backward, and that is great
deal accomplished.
washington TOOK one OF the places In the League
vacated by Providence and Buffalo in the spring
OF 1855, and Kansas City took the other. Therace
between these two clubs was very close, Kansas
City finally pulling out into seventh place with the
record OF 30 games won, OF lost, per cenIage OF
PAS; While Washington had TO be content with
last place on narrow margin. The record was
There was nothing very hopeful this, not even in
the narrowness OIL margin that lay between the
opened with the patrons OF the game in a very
doubtful frame OF mind. There were further
changes, however, in the League, Pittsburg join
Ing from the American Association, and Indian
apolls taking the place or Kansas City. This made
another tailepd race possible, and the see-saw be-
tween these hes clubs made the usually unntere.tins
last obtained good hold on sixth place by per-
centage Of .444, while Washington was not far be-
with .294. The jump that Washington made from
twenty eight victories in so to fort sx in 81 was
eneoIragi I, and gives promise OF still better
showing this year, now that the team has been
relieved OF dlscordant elements.
PROSPECTS.
The club is not as strong on paper perhaps as
seven other league organizations, but It Is con-
ndently expected that strong steady team work
will enable 1t to surpaSSsome clubs that have
greater regulations and more star players. The
greatest harmony prevails between the players,
and there Is the best OF feeling between the men
and the managers. One OF the best strokes OF bsi-
ness was the securing by Manager sullivan
OF the new men OF the team. one thing
ence OF the club, the advance OF the entrance fee
from thrty-nye TO nifty cents. As one OF the
directors expressed It himself, SIT Will either
make US or break u. II we play good
ball we viii De all the better for the chance,
but If we play bad ball we are a gone CON-
munity."
such Is the history, and such are the prospects
OF the club that represents the city OF WASHINGTON
in the National League OF Base Ball players and
TIE STAR takes pleasure IN Introducing TO IT'S
readers the men who are TO do the work on the
team in 1sSS. The men under contract are Whit
ney, Gilmore. ODay, and Daily, pitchers; Mack,
Deasy, and Murray, catcherS; O'Brten, Myers,
DoDnelly, IRWIN and Gardner, infielders; Wilrnot,
left field; Hoy, center Held; and Shoch, right
field