The times., 1897-04-26

The National League teams change base
and play one another as per the program
shown above under the heading Games
Today
The washingtons left for New York
last night and this afternoon will open
the season in that city with 'ScTappy
Bill and las Band at the Polo Grounds.
Three games will be played, ending We'd
nesday, when the Senators VIII return
home and meet Boston at National Park
Thursday for series.
Financially and artistically, President
Young was exceedingly kind to the Messrs,
Wagner in giving Washington the opening
date with New York. Under the lively, ag-
gressive management Of Scrappy Bill Joyce
the Metropolitan fans have renewed inter
est in their club, and are in the humor to
give the Giants the same loyal and enthu-
siastic support that was accorded them
during the reigns Of MutIie, O'Day, and
Johnny Ward, and that was Withheld under
the Arthur Il win regime and during Rusie's
absence. Joyce is Immensely popular in the
big city and Rusie, after great deal Of
trouble and travail, is again within the fold.
These elements, coupled with opening day
and 1.-THE great crowd gathered for the Grant
tomb exercises will draw mountaineering
audiencetothe pretty parkat Eighth avenue
and One H hundred and Fifty-fifth street
Manager Schmelz said last night before
the departure of the club that he would
use McJames and Mcclure as battery
In this afternoons game, Mercer tomorrow
and either King or Norton Wednesday.
Young Doheny, the Vermont southpa w,
and Wilson viii officiate for the Giants
and Rusie, after a years absence, will
make his bow in the second game.
For reasons that will readily suggest
themselves the contests will be fought to
the bitter finish. There is an absence
OF good feeling on both sides and no quar-
ter will be asked by either team.
Should the Senators strike a good batting
gait and the pitchers hold up their end
they are liable TO get two of the three
games. But, on the other hand, If they
do not play in better all-around form than
was shown against Brooklyn, and should
the Giants, snIarting under their Philadel-
phia beatings, and with a home crowd Of
rooters behind them, start one of the
hitting streaks OF which they are fully
capable, 1t will be "all over for the
Senators.
Until the home club develops ability to
hit the ball straight along and at timely
periods, confidence will naturally remain
at low tide AS The Times said previous
to the League opening, they must bat at
full speed in order to gain and maintain
ar nnSifjon in he raop
However, standing on the very threshold
OF the season, it is too early to draw the
sharp line of criticism, and every hope
should be encouraged that the Senators
viii improve in every department, and
finish the struggle in sixth place-or
better.
The opinions of managers Of clubs as
to how their teams viii finish is given
below. With the exception OF Anson and
Tebeau, who always claim the pennant
for their Colts and Spiders" re-
speotively, at the commencement OF the
season, the other generalissimos of the
diamond are very modest and conservative.
They say:
Anson says of his Colts: "Chicago al
the time. We arc not In as good shape
as we should be, but l think the Colts
are the strongest of the twelve clubs. We
viii certainly have the strongest pitching
department. or the others, / like Gin
cinnati; Baltimore is strong, and the Bos-
ton club will be a big factor in the race.
I sec no reason why it should not be the
most successful year in the history of the
game"
Billy Joyce, manager-captain of the
Giants: "I think IL viii be successful
year in baseball. SO far as the chances of
the various clubs are concerned. I have
not made any predictions in regard TO
the clubs standing in the race In 1897,
and don't intend to do so.'
Ned Hanlon: II certainly think the
Baltimore team will again win the pen
nsnt, but must say that the clubs gen.
orally are more evenly matched than last
season. and therefore / think the race
viii be close one. l VIII not undertake
to predict what club win finish second.
My belief is that it viii be a prosperous
season, not only for the Baltimorcs. but
for all the clubs that play u good game"
Buck Ewing: Baltimore, Boston, and
Cleveland are the teams that | think Will