The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-06-03

VIII hardly play In any more or tho ehdm-
pionsh3p games. But even with Easton
out 1t looks like an easy task for the Jer-
I seymsn TO win the pennant again. They
undoubtedly have the strongest team that
has ever represented the university.
That visit from the Australian baseball
players hos been q complete failure. 1t Ia
not the fault Of Americans. but Of the Aus
tralians themselves. They camo heraldel
MS representative team from the antip-
odes, and as such arrangements were
made 10 entertain them and give them a
chance to show their skill in every large
city Of the United States. San Franciscans
got the first experience as hosts. They
found the Australians pleasant guests and
agreeable gentlemen, but abominablo
ball players. Their attempts to play tho
American Ramo were 80 wretched that 1t
Was inviting insults from spectators to let
thom go upon the field. The result has
been that these misguided men from "the
bush" are advised to confne their visit to
the Pacific slore and not cross the Rocky
mountains except In the characters of pri-
vato citizens and unprofessional tourists.
1t was originally intended to give these
visitors q chance to play upon every ma
tional and miner league ground in the
Union by arranging an exhibition with
the home club n few hours before a regu-
larly scheduled championship game. The
committee which had the arrangements
for their entertainment In hand has kindly
given them tho same advice which was
once given to the young man who was
about to be married, Don't"
1t Is seldom that a single accident puts
out of the game two such highly respect
ablo players as Captain Robinson of the
Baltimores and John A. McPhec Of the
Cincinnatis. In collisions Of this kind
there is usually malice behind them, but
the very character Of tho two victims pre-
cludes even suspicion Of such q motive.
It.was "playing the game" which did it.
Robinson blocked tho plate while rcceiv-
ing the ball. McPhee, alive to the situa-
ton, attempted to raise the block by a feet
first slide. Robinson was game. A col
lision was tho inevitable result. Robin.
son made tho play, but at the expense Of
great pain and damage to both men. He
himself was SO badly eashed under the
kneecap by tho spikes on McPhee's shoes
sthat he will play no moro probably till
July, IL he be not permanently famed, and
McPhcc was sent to bed with painfully
sprained ankle.
All this for the sake Of ono run. Robi-
son came of the victor in the play, but the
greater victim. The two clubs lost In the
future services Of these star players many
times the worth Of that fatal run. But
the unfortunate incident serves to show
the desperation which professional ball
players put into their work Qnd the ex-
treno chances for personal injury which
are taken In every game.
Surprises In the national game never
AN - L. xy-I
timore's triumphant march with three
successive defeats which made their own
string of ten consecutive victories. Then
tho Brooklyns. rated far below either the
Champions or the Reds went to Cincin-
natl and gavo the conquerors Of tho Balti-
mores three most impressive drubbings.
Al the same time the Philadelphia team
started into its western trip with six
straight victories at st. Louis and Louis
VILE. Then camo one of those "toboggan
slides" which has been peculiar In the Ma
tionnl League races with the PhiIlies only.
The cause is plain and has been plain for
several years TO every one but the man
sgers Of tho Philadelphia club, who per-
sistently close their eyes against the faot;
the clubs pitching Is weak, unreliable and
timid. Tho rost OF the team has been
strengthened, but ton of sand Is needed
In tho pitchers box.
Tho Bostons, who started of with n
string Of eight defeats before n single VIC
tory was won, have rallied nobly and have
been passing through their field with tell
ing effect In strong contrast IL tho utter
decentralization which has beset the Chicago
team--a team which before tho race bcgan
was rated ns dangerous factor In the
championship.
Several Of tho star pitchers Of the major
league are disappointmcnts 40 far In the
fight. Men like McekiD, Young, Dwyer,
Breitcnstcin, Hawlcy and Taylor have
been hit hard nearly oycry time they faced
foo this spring. All have hot weather
arms and mono of them can acquire speed
till tho muscles Of their wings" are thor
ouahly "thnwcd out" MeckIn, Young,
Breitenstcin and Dwycr, particularly, will
make up for lost time after hot weather
sets IN TO stny.
t.-I