The times., 1898-07-25
Standing of the Clubs.

The long string of defeats sustained oy
the washington ball club proves the un-
certainties and possibilities Of the game
and is doubtless one Of the elements that
keep Interest in the sport alive. About
three weeks ago the team was playing
pennant ball easily defeating such strong
clubs as the Baltimores and Cincinnatis,
batting and base running being the strong
features Of their play. Upon returning
home from the Western trip they opened
up with the Chicago club and were de-
feated four straight games. Some Of the
games, however. were lost by close scores
because Of errors made At inopportune
times. With an even break OF luck the
club should have won at least three out
OF the four.
The same demon of ill luck followed
the club during the Cleveland series. but
did not figure SO c0nspicuOusly as In the
Chicago games Because Of the previous
defeats the team became discouraged and
demoralized. and feu Of w5efully in their
batting: So far AS base running wss con-
cerned the piayer- 5usi cut that part of
the play 0at 81 tire repertoire.
% is not 90 the credit 90 any team %
say that b is n1t playing the game 60
rho best of tF ability and u g. almost
oharrlug THE players with crime o. say
cf them that t1tE are careless and indie
fereDi and nor trying "a play up to their
standard. Yet their work for the past
cieht dayF would Justify q charEe of
criminal neglect Irom which they cannot
escape It is very generally the case
Where ono or tWo reliable battcrs fan of
iH their hitting that the entire team be-
comes den0ralized and are similarly az
nicted. This should not be So and there
S. no plausible excuse.
IL the members OF the team properly
appreciated the situation and were loyal
20 their manager. who pays them a salary
that seems exorbitant in comparison with
any other vocation within their reach.
this would not be the case. The cry Of
hard luck is the shibboleth of the ball
player who is playing indiferently. The
fact is The ball player makes his own
hard luck" 1t should be the determi-
nation Of an honest conscientious ball
player to put forth his best efforts to win,
and thus triumph over defeat, and not
stand leisurely by and see his club lose
games that could. with the proper effort,
be won. failure TO give best services
10 employers IN return for money paid is
crime pure and simple.
There are but two players on the Wash
ington team batting with anything like
regularity. The heavy hitters OF the
club. from whom much is expected, are
as impotent with the bat as the veriest
minor leaguer. Some days the fielding OF
the team is splendid. showing ability OF
a high order; on other days, their per-
formance would put the boys on the lots
70 the blush
Why is this? Some viii say for the
reason that they do not take care of
themselves, are Incorporate in their
habit Of drinking, or that they make night
aideous with unseemly revelry, or other
tndiscreuons that units them for their
duties. Whatever it may be, there is
one thing certain-their bad work Is
the result OF some fault for which they
are responsible and for which they should
be made TO answer. Reference is made
Of course, to those players who have the
ability 10 play good bali, and fail to
justify expectations.
Every fair minded person in Washing
ton recognizes the fact that Mr.. Wagner
has honestly tried TO give this city q
ssrong team. He has invested as much, 81