The Washington times., 1894-05-14
FRESH SPORTING GOSSIP
Washington Clubs Poor Prospect OF
Getting Out Of Last Place.
POINTERS ON THE HANDICAP
Some Diversity Of Opinion Among Horsemen
Regarding the Probable Winner Of the
Brooklyn Handicap Indications That the
Senators Will Be in Last Place.

Now that the Washington ball club has
landed at the bottom of the list SO early in
the season, the baseball writers who, only a
| few weeks ago, bespoke a successful season
for Schmelz's 1remen are now taking the op-
posite course, and poking fun instead OF
praise. There is no reason for such sudden
change Of heart, as the team lost three games
last week to New York which were well
played on both sides, and should not have
brought discredit upon the Senators. When
| a club composed, like New York, Of star play
ers can only defeat an aggregation of minor
leaguers by the scores of to 2; to 4, and 5
to 2, there should be no kick coming. The
trouble is not that Washingtons professional
club has failed to put up fair quality Of
ball. but that the other league clubs are OF a
higher class, and as such it is not to be ex-
pected that the Senators should beat them
out in n seasons campaign.
But a week or two ago the umpires were
robbers. and all sorts of excuses were given
for the numerous defeats OF the home team,
but since last place was reached the direful
fact is apparent that the club is not in it with
the others. This is very poor consolation to
the patrons of the game in this city, but it is
felt to be the truth. When the score and
more of old and young players were gathered
here in March many hoped that some sort OF
a team could be gotten out of the multiplicity
OF talent, but results show such hopes to have
failed of realization. Gus Schmelz has been
worried considerably by the poor success OF
the team, and it is a wonder he still has cour-
age to hope for a change for the better.
The principle of selling off desirable players
and forming team Of men of mediocre play
ing ability is the one which seems to have in
spired the owners of the Washington club,
and on them will fall whatever responsibility
there is attached to q losing club. Every
visiting magnate is aware of this citys ad-
vantages as ball town, where, despite re-
peated tail-enders. the support has been most
faithful. 1t is sad that this patriotism cannot
meet with better returns.
For a number of years Baltimore has been
struggling along with weak club and the
public support was on par with the strength
of the team. But now that the Orioles are
strong and able 20 win from any clubthe town
is baseball crazy and crowds attend the games.
New York by putting out money for available
talent has resulted in the interest being ut
fever heat among the Gothamites. and the
same may be said of every town where the
club people have made efforts to get together
a winning team. 1t would be the same in
this city if the owners would care to spend
dollar to make another. The present is sized
up pretty near right in an article recently pub
lished in the Baltimore Sun, as follows.
Mr. Gus Schmelz didn't know what to-
day league baseball was when he secured
his present Washington club and landed 1t
upon the sea of glorious uncertainty. He
got hold of the idea yesterday long before the
II to score was finished. Mr.. Schmelz had
seen the league clubs when they went South
for practice in the early Spring, SO he picked
out a team of minor league men and landed
them in Washington, in hopes that they would
do as well as he had seen minor league clubs
do against the leaguers in the frosty March.
But the poor man didn't know. you know.
For the last three weeks proofs of the fallacy
of his theory have been thrust upon him. and
yesterday the Baltimore club. otherwise
known as Hanlon's Whirlwinds. gave him an
argument as convincing as any he will have
presented to him this season.
The Senators are scheduled to play to-day.
Tuesday yandWednesday in Brooklyn. and they
are quite likely to get game from the Bride
grooms, who are not yet in the best of FORM
On Thursday and Saturday they will play in
Baltimore and on next Friday will entertain
the Orioles at the local ball park. The clup lost
six straight last week. and it is sincerely hoped
this record will not be repeated.
A New York paper has succeeded in obtain
ing the opinions of a number of horsemen
and bookmakers as to their favorite for the
Brooklyn handicap, which will be run to-
morrow at the opening of the race meeting at
Gravesend. Clifford, the choice in the winter
books. is picked by nearly all the westerners,
while many of the eastern turfmen pin their
hopes to Sir Walter. Sport has some friends,
while the followers of J. J. McCafferty and
Fred Foster believe DIR. Rice. with Taral in
the saddle. will capture the money. Byron
Henry of Navarro is the three
year-old who is considered by his shrewd
owner to have more than fighting chance,
and McClelland stands to win some $50, 900 in
bets on his horse.
At least 10000 people are expected to wit
ness the race, and many visitor will go
broke on backing his choice. Every starter
will have more or less backing. and the lay |
ers of odds will have great chance to round |
their books.
1t has been rumored the management of |
the Washington club had made an offer for |
Fuller and Stafford of New York, but the |
rumor is discounted by the recent announce
nent of the mCuthniece of the owner that the |