The times., 1899-06-05
DIAMOND DUST.

freeman holds the honor of making the greatest
number of home-run hits up to date, having eight
to his credit.
Catcher Butler showed up well in Thursdays
game. lie handled Mercer's curves in splendid
style and made three hits.
Casey is third in the batting averages on the
Brooklyn team, the League leader Keller heads
the list, with Dunno second.
Buffers work "Wednesday good, both at
the bat and behind it. Mcclure can now be
given rest whenever he needs it,
Baseball at last seems to have obtained firm
fOothold in England. Several strong clubs have
been organized there for the season.
Mercers temporary return to the pitchers box
on Wednesday demonstrated that he has not for
gotten how to curve them over the plate
If Hanlons Supcrbas do not let go to spit on
their hands, they liable become a fixture
on the topmost round of she pennant ladder.
Boston has rounded to form early this season,
and it now seems that it will again be fight
between the Champions and Hanlons men for the
flag.
The journalistic artist of baseball who draws
on his imagination for his facts issues a bogus
draft upon an institution where he has nothing
on deposit.
The loss Of Padden to the Pittsburg Club is
greatly regretted by the fans OF that city, who
declare That he is one OF the best run-getters
the club ever had.
President Andrew Freedman, of the New Yorks,
has not contributed anything baseball literature
OF sensational character for some time. Yet.
the season Is Young.
The Philadelphia Club is not making good the
cyclonc predictions of Editor Richter. Instead OF
sweeping everything before them, they are more
often being swept.
Instead OF being disappointment, the Orioles
are liable to become pleasant surprise. They
playing winning ball, and will doubtless make
money on the season.
The Louisville Club is playing erratic and
uncertain kind of game One day they play like
champions and the next like amateurs. There
seems to be lack Of teamwork.
Manager Tom Burns, of the Chicagos, is not
enjoying the same degree of baseball exuberance
that formerly expanded his pennant-winning pre-
sumption And there are others.
Cassdy's playing at first base compares favor
ably with that of any man in the League. He is
quick double plays, and at all times per
forms in manner that shows him valuable
player.
Manager Tebeau attributes his loss of games
to the impaired condition OF his pitching staff.
None of his twirlers is working up TO his last
seasons form. The complaint comes from
other clubs.
The Bostons, the Brooklyns, and other pennant
aspirants hunt for pitchers, reeog-
nizing that the finish will be hot one. They
desire to strengthen their pitching staff whenever
it is possible
Philadelphia has dropped from a pennant pos
| sibility to a sccond-divsion probability. Base
ball writers who have been predicting the clubs
downfall are now uniting IN one grand chorus OF
| II told you So"
| In Herring Manager Irwin has secured one OF the
| most promising young ball players in the coun-
| try. He is at home in almost any position on
| the field, and as pitcher is what is designated
| in slang parance ''comer'
| President Andrew Freedman has declared that
| Ruse can only get back into the game upon
such terms he will dictate. As these supula-
tons will probably be prohibitiye in their nature,
Rusie's return to the diamond is a remote posi-
| bility.
Several of the old time stars have announced
| that they now playing their farewell engage
| ments. Notwithstanding this declaration, it is
| not believed there will be any voluntary retire
| ments as long as the present salary list is main
| tanned.
The Bowerlnan- Mercer episode at National Park
| on Thursday not down on the programme,
| and should have been introduced 1t is not
| possible to decide which player is the more TO
blame but the exhibition creditable to
| neither.
O'Comor is stin the favorite OF the fans lie
retains his good humor matter what the oc-
| casion His and eye true in tie
| days OF old, and woe TO the base runner who
| attempts to pilfer a bag unless he be extra feet
| of foot.
Atherton plays third base with the confidence
| of veteran. and is especially strong play:
that require quick thinking. He also gives evi
dence Of developing into a first-class emergency
hitter. the kind OF batters OF which team car
have too many.
The Cincinnati Club is still lingering around
the foot of the first division 1t will not come
East this season under as favorable conditions as
it did last when the Reds occupied first place
They are long way from the goal OF their desires
with no encouraging sign in sight
After cornering the baseball market last fall
and dsposiug of the PLAYERS he considered moi
strong enough for the Pittsburg Club, Manager
Watkins succeeded in getting only star per
former. In his disgust and disappointment h,
| resigned his position and went into retirement.
| Chicago fans say the Orphans are not playing
the same snappy sort of game they did earlier il
the season. Ragged fielding and stupid base-run
ming have demoralized the pitching staff. A brac,
| in teamwork is also loudly demanded.
Mcfarland Is one OF the Senator's reliable
pitchers. He has splendid assortment of de
ceptive deliveries, fields his position splendidly
He is fast recovering from his recent injury
and will be back in the game in few days.
! The playing Of the Senators while at Chclg
| was surprise to the fans and officials who ha,
| come to regard them as easy things" The pres
| OF that city was lavish in praise of their work
| which they declare has never heen surpassed upoI
that field. The pitching staf-where the team
, was supposed to be week.-Mrs. proved tO be strong
| and. under the management Of Mr.. Irwin, the
| will make il WARM for all
| William NJ Chase, the artist, is wonderful
pistol shot Ex- Senator W NJ Evarts once salt
of him.: ''He can split playing card and writ
his name with bullets at all manner of dis