The Washington times., 1902-05-20

er, although may use him in one OF the
Chicago games. Billy is mighty good
man when he is right, and am confident
that he will win many a game for US. But
as the others are all right, We will not
suffer in consequence of his being given
rest. Several of the boys, Anderson and
Padden in particular, are not hitting as
they should, but am not worrying. They
will get their batting eyes before long
John McGraw has benefited by his ex-
perience of last season, when he was sus-
pended by Ban Johnson for getting tangled
up with the umpires.
McGraw was mixed up again this sea-
son and his suspension followed, but this
time McGraw said nothing and thereby
showed his wisdom. He Just held his
tongue and took his punishment phii-
osophically. BY so doing he has estab-
lished priceless precedent. and really
deserves great credit for the manner in
which he has conducted himself.
In former years both Cleveland and
Columbus were considered poor ball
towns. but change has come over them
this season. ..Vr
Cleveland is turning out large crowds.
notwithstanding the fact that the team
is in last place, while Columbus is simply
baseball mad.
Speaking of Cleveland brings to mind
the fact that Pitcher Wright, who ac
cepted $500 from President Ebbetts, of
the Brooklyn club, and Joined that team.
only to return to Cleveland when Presi-
dent Kilfoyle went after him has re-
turned the 500 to Ebbetts and has no in
tention of ever leaving Cleveland again
until his contract with that club has ex-
pired.
"In this game" remarked John T.
Brush last night" there is never a time
when you haven't got your fishing line
out baited for players who might
strengthen your team. Sometimes you
won't get a bite, but the line is out.
There is no official warrant for saying
that the Cincinnati club is out to raid
the American League. A prophecy along
that line might be made good. but /
wouldn't say whether it would be full
filled now or year from now"
The Red President hasn't taken his
eyes off at least three American Leaguers
who did not keep their obligations with
the Cincinnati club, and as he has q good
memory several things are likely to hap
pen before June roses bloom.-Cincinnat
Commercial Tribune.
There is no place on team where a
veteran is more useful than behind the
bat." says Patsy Donovan. "A number of
clever new catchers have broken into the
league.
Bergen, Of Cincinnati. is one of the
best throwers / ever saw. Harry Smith,
Of Pittsburg. is a frst-class man, and
they say that Doom, of Philadelphia, is
a wonder. l think. too. that st. Louis has
a couple of good ones. Still / am always
nd IN frhn trHfn f-,
against my team.
1.-The old fellows may not have as much
steam behind their throws and may be a
little slower cn the bases, but for these
drawbacks they show many advantages
behind the bat. Take Heine Peitz, of Gin
cinnati. for instance. He is in the game
all the time. not simply in catching the
bail and firing it back to the pitcher,
but in watching every point and coaching
the entire team. O'Connor and thinner
belong to the same class. They do lot
of effective work that the people in the
Stands never see nor lear Of
These wise boys know every weak
point Of the opposing batsmen, and give
their own pitchers valuable advice. Then
they work the umpiros for decisions that
younger catcher would not think ot
asking for. Many wide ball is turned
into a strike by Z dexterous move Of the
wrists OF foxy old catcher.
These finer points Of the game cannot
be detected by the spectators in the
stands. but the players on the field see
them all. and play with confidence be-
hind a battery directed by veteran"
Jumping Jimmy Sheckard is playing
great ball with Brooklyn, but his fine per-
formances can hardly bring him Joy, in
the light of treatment he is receiving at
the hands of the fans.
The fact that even the rooters are sick
ening Of baseball politics. and of the ac-
tons of players whose word is valueless is
shown in the roasting given this man,
whose conduct has been worse than that
of a dozen others only in that he has yio-
lated his word more often.
In Chicago, the National rooters kept |
time with Sheckard's step. in going to and |
from his position. by choruses of Jump, |
jump, jump" just as Detroit fans time |
Grifilth's step with left, left. left"
The most cruel blow OF all came when |
undertook to snap Sheckard, |
and a fog-horu voiced rooter yelled, get |
him jumping"
Bobby Woods leads the league In hitting |
With an average OF 500. Jimmy Collins OF /
Boston is second with .43s, McGinnity |
hird. Powers fourth. Bresnahan fifth. Del
shanty sixth. Lee seventh. and Harvey |
eighth. Lave Cross is thirteenth. Flick
fifteenth, Schreck seventeenth, Mccarthy
-wenty first. LaChance twenty third, Bon
Ter twenty ninth. Burkett thirtieth. Pick
ring fifty-first Bemis ffty-ffth. Bradley
iixty fifth. Hemphill seventy-third. Goch-
iauer. and Dillon tied for seventy eighth
With .l51, Thoney eighty-second.
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