Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-24

The Washington club management
Messrs. Wagner and Irwin. sprung quite a
surprise on the local base ball enthusiasts
late yesterday afternoon when they handed
out the releases of Players Bonner, Ather-
ton, Coughlin and Duncan. In deciding
upon the release of these players Manager
Irwin has demonstrated that no matter
what sort of an opinion he has formed of
players when once he has come to the con-
clusion that a mistake has been made he
will try to rectify it at the earliest possible
moment. Manager Irwin witnessed the
playing of Anterior and Coughlin before
they were purchased from the Wilkesbarre
club, and their display Of base ball ability
was such that he thought they would i'm
prove In fast company. Quite the contrary
was the case, it being demonstrated that
they belong to that large army of players
who are wonders in slow company and lobs-
tiers in fast.
The release of Frank Bonner is the only
move that will be questioned by the local
enthusiasts. Bonner certainly played good
ball at National Park, but on foreign
grounds Ills work is reported to have been
very much on the order of Cassidy. recently
released to Providence. As a batter Bon
ner was hardly up to the mark, be. ng a per
sistent right field hitter and for this reason
ineffective, the opposing PLAYERS always
puiilng around and easily capturing drives
that should have gone safe. On the bases
FRANK was SLOW, but he worked hard and
made many friends by his earnestness
WIN klttridge coming back into the game
at st. Louis next Sunday it was decided
TO release one of the catchers and Duncan
was the man selected to walk the plank
Manager Irwin believes Roach is Duncan
superior, both as a. fielder and batter, and
that the former will make "A good running
mate for the regular catcher
TO replace these men Padden will resume
his old position at second and the latest
Senatorial arrival, Jimmy Stafford, will go
10 snort. Stafford has played about all the
positions on the infield and in assigning
him to short it is more than possible that
he will fill the position temporarily He is
good steady player without being brilliant,
ana possesses the one valuable ability of
being able to hit the bah hard and regular
ly.
With Atherton and Coughlin released the
old Washington ''hoodoo." a weak third
paseman, once more looms up dark and
dlsmal. Barry and Mercer have both been
tried IN the position and proved unsatis-
factory, but 1t should be said in their favor
,hat either one is as good as the men re-
leased Although Barry may prove weak
as helder, he possesses many other aualf-
flcahons that should make him valuable
being good hitter fast on his feet and
possessing brains enough to know how To
play the game from the inside or take
advantage OF plays at critical points of
pay. Win" Mercer is another PLAYER of
TINS class, and as Jack O'Brien is again
under the weather the speedy boy will go
into left field.
On paper this shake-up Of the Senators
looks well, and the new assignment of posi-
tons should strengthen the club fully so
per cent. Three good batters are added to
me team. and in fielding sense the sup
posed weakness Is hardly perceptible
The Senators, thirteen strong, left last
night for the west, and will remain over
today In Wheeling for a game with the
club OF that place. Saturday the club PLAYS
one game In Cincinnati, and then goes to
St Louis for series of four games. Man
aser Irwin can be depended upon to look
over the players in the Western League.
ana one or two new men will probably be
signed before the team returns home