Evening star., 1898-08-09
TEAM HOME AGAIN
Captain Mcclure Discouraged Over
Poor Results.
INDIFFERENCE OF fHE PLAYERS
A Radical Change Of Policy to Be
Adopted.
CURRENT SPORTING NOTES


players returned to this city last night
after a fortnight's sojourn at Phila-
deIphia and in the west. The clubs record
has been the most disastrous in it's history,
and the only excuse offered is that the men
are not playing together. The hit and run
game and the sacrifice have almost been
abandoned, and it is a case of go-as-you-
please. each player being careful to look
out for his individual record. Captain Nc
Guire has become discouraged and the gray
hairs are beginning to show on Earl Wag-
ner. The showing made during the June
trip west, when the team Won over 80 per
cent of their games, led the local fans to
hope that the long list of games at home
would push the Senators up toward their
natural position in the first column. But
that hope was blasted almost before the
Chicagos got through with our representa-
tives, and chilling blasts were blowing over
National Park when the Cincinnati and
Cleveland clubs concluded with their easy
picking. As a matter of course, when the
Senators set out for Philadelphia and the
trip west little was expected of them, al
though a few clung to the phantom hope
that the aggregation might do better away
than at home. Game after game was
dropped, and the once proud Senators shot
to the rear like horse in the lobster class,
many claiming that the players had reach
ed their natural stride.
There are a hundred and one excuses, but
the fact is the batterS do not hit, the field
ers don't field and the coachers don't coach,
but they all draw their salaries. Captain
Mcclure has pleaded with them to get in
the game in some sort of winning way, but
in vain. The slump has come a li.tle eA"ly
this season. but it is here, and IS not a Il ~
thing to Washington patrons 1t is an IN
nual occurrence; the local fans expect it,
and they are never disappointed.
What disgusts the patrons more than
anything else is the manifest Indifference
of the players. They are absolutely dead
on their feet-no life, no snap. no ginger.
Perfect Indifference pervades tho entire
team. with the possible exception of two
or three, and a sort of ''only-so-we-get-our-
money style of playing prevails.
The question might be asked if the play
ers appreciate the fact that they are draw
ing large salaries and are not earning
them But they know this and VIII come
to the front with smiling faces next spring
and many will be the stories told of low
they will play the game of their life and
incidentally make play for an increase
in salary. AS the season stands today,
from a financial standpoint, the players are
getting about all the money that comes
into the gates. Mr.. Wagner has assessed
only about sl35 in fines since he has lad
control of the Washington club. and the
players should appreciate this Ieniency by
putting forward their best efforts. Then
why are these efforts missing?
Mr.. Wagner says he is negotiating with a
man to act as MAI ager who will see to 1t
that the owners of the Washington club
will not be imposed upon any longer.
Very few managers of known ability are
available. but Mr.. Wagner has secured the
country and should the man he has select
ed agree to take the Washington club in
nand, brighter days are predicted for he
stanch supporters of the Senators An
.l,x
outfielder will be obtained. The Wagnecs
are far from '-quitters." The season has
been a terrible disappointment to them, but
they are in the game to stay, and will do
their best to make as good a showing pos
sib.e under the unfavorable circumstances
prevailing.
The people get tired of paying their
money to see lot of "stiffs' meander
leisurely about the grounds, and he
Messrs. Wagners know it and can be de-
pended upon to bring about a brace. The
men should get in the game; demonstrate
that they deserve ard earn the money they
are paid, and through a little life bring
back the disgusted patrons who have de-
serted the club for this season.
Every one knows that ball players do not
like adverse criticism nor even mild sug-
gestiGns. They prefer praise and writhe
like snakes in the grass whenever called
down for bare-faced carelessness-
They should then give the local enthusiasts
a chance TO praise them. The present slump
strong, just skillful, just as able now to
play good ball as they were in the month
of June. Then it was given out that Jack
Doyle was the disturber. Jack is gone now
and the question is, Which one is to blame
now?
Get in the game. Win back your rooters
Win back the applause. Win back the large
patronage the Washington club is rightful-
ly entitled to. Win games. No matter how
but win them.
The New Yorks begin a series of three
games at National Park tomorrow These
are the games that were postponed early
IN the season on account of rain. The
Joyceites are playing peunant ball just now
but the Senatorial outfit has the ability to
check their upward course if they would
pull themselves together and give exhibi-
tlons of which they are capable-in fact
play as professional ball players ought to
play.
Today's Schedule and Weather
Boston at CinciSnati-cloudy
Baltimore at Pittsburg-eloudy.