The Washington critic., 1890-03-30
Analyzing the PlaYers.

While one gone hardly furnishes a cri-
teIion by which to Judge the future of a
ball team, yet the work done by the Wash
ington Club yesterday was sufficient to
Justify everything its friends have claimed
for it. The young players whom Sullivan
has secured were carefully culled from the
best players in the minor leagues, and to u
critical observer 1t is apparent that his
Judgment has not gone far astray. The
only comparison, of course, which the
average patron of the game makes will
be with last years team 1t is q compari-
son between old and young blood, and GER
tainly the latter does not suffer by It, The
men play with dash and vim that is in
striking contrast to the manner in which
the l.eaguers disgusted audiences last sum
mer. The men seem to have their hearts
in the game, and the fact that each Of
them has reputation yet to make, is the
incentive which makes them as good, If in
deed, not better, players than those who
represented Washington on the ball field
last eeason.
Taking the men in the positions in which
they played yesterday brief analysis or
each may not be amiss Nicholas, the
catcher, is an excellent back-stop, his only
weakness being his apparent inability to
throw accurately to second. That is not
likely to continue very long, and is attribu-
table more to the cold weather than anything
else.
In Maloney the local team has a jewel
lie Is pitcher that is liable to fool the
best batters, and If given good fielding sup
port will prove valuable man. His curves
are good and speedy and his control of the
ball all that could be desired.
Whistler at first seems slow in handling
badly-thrown balls, but he was evidently
nervous yesterday. 1t will take more than
one game to Judge hilh accurately.
Bird is a catcher, and yesterday in play
ing second occupied the position he has
never held before. He seems to be ball
player, however, and when he occupies his
regular position will probably give good
account OF himself.
1t is unnecessary to speak Of Jack Rid
die. Those who saw him last summer
know his ability. Hill, the new third
baseman, promises to be the best man who
has ever occupied that position for the
local team. He is quick and active, and
keeps the runner pinned to the base, al
though always getting Into position for
| balls hit to his territory. lie also is a free
hitter and ought to rank well up among
| the batters in the Atlantic Association.
Only two of the regular ilelders, Jordan
| and Bader, participated in yesterdays
game, and both attended to everything that
! came their way. Both are ball players
Bader is undoubtedly going tos become Il
favorite. He is a good batter, and runs
bases in a style that Washington audience:
| have never been accustomed to see. He 4
speedier than either Hoy or Wilmot, aud
from his work In the field is n reliable
catcher. Jordan is also a swift base runner
and a good fielder.
Taken altogether the team is one of the
dashy sort, such as the Clevelanis Is We're
and, while the men may prove inferior
perior fielding aud base-ruuning. In the
latter department the team is especially
strong The men, instead of lettering on
base, seize the first opportunity to ge
away, and they do It with excellent iudg
ment. The team is a good one, aud wheI