Evening star., 1902-09-15

companions. OF course. Smiths work has
been confined to the minor leagues but
there are several veterans in the Southern
League this season, and they all speak we'll
of this pitchers work.
The Clubs Work This Year.
With the season having but two more
weeks to go it will not be amss to run over
the work of the Washington club the past
season. The fans" have not forgotten the
big hole Manager Lotus was placed in
last spring through the failure of Clarke to
report at the beginning of the season. With
the clever catcher behind the bat the most
radical element Of the team will at least
conCede several victories instead of defeats
that were brought about through Catcher
Drills inexperience No reflection is meant
for Drill, he will be one of the best in the
business next year II he learns to control
his temper.
After Clarke Joined the team Wolverton,
whose work had been poor all season. de-
serted and the infield was disorganzed.
Here was player 'touted' as being one
of the best third basemen in the country,
who failed miserably in Washington. While
Coughlin was trying to get into the PAGES
at second. 1t was a hard job. and a iirst-
class third baseman was going to seed
while trying to fill a new place.
Before Wolverton deserted, however Fred
Ely got terrible smash the index fin
ger of his throwing hand and was out Of the
game for many weeks. Again ,Coughlin was
shifted AM once more the Scranton lad
was there with the goods" his work at
short opening the eyes Of the wise peo-
pie keister went to second and did the
best he could, the position being awkward
after playing the field. Later on Jack
Doyle went into the position, but this fine
player also discovered that second base was
too much for him. and double plays were
almost out of the question.
Then came George Carey's broken wrist,
another shift Of the infield, and what little
team work had been developed was once
more disrupted. Many errors cropped up
IN the playing of the in and outfield, the
pitchers failed to stand the strain of poor
support and the Sena tors naturally dropped
into the second column.
Other teams have had their mSfortunes
but not 50 continuous, or were more lucky
in having hrst-class men TO fiji IN. The
team, as a whole, is undoubtedly the best
that has ever represented Washington on
the diamond, and the regular attendants
will agree that they were never better en-
tertained than they have been the past
SON In years gone by 1T was the regular
thing for Washington to bring UP the rear
IN the pennant race, but Manager Manning
stopped that practice last season by finish
Ing in sixth place with poor team, and
this season Manager LOTUS will probably
do as well in the face of greatly strength
ened league.
The Outlook,
As for Strengthening, Manager Lotus
can be depended upon to move slowly. If
he has DeMontreville for second base that
position win be looked after In fine style
next season Should Joe Stanley turn out
well the outfeld will be entirely satisfac-
tory with Delehanty In left and Ryan in
right There are great many persons who
believe that Manager LOTUS should secure
a new man to take Ely's place at short but
here again good deal Of thinking Is neces-
sary. While Fred Is not Lajoie or a Wal
youngster IN this important position. Con-
slider for a moment the handicap Ely has
had all season. He started with a green
man at second and later on had TO work
with players who were simply at sea when
quick plays were necessary. The loss of
double plays Is blamed to Ely, but 1t does
not take wise man to predict that with
DeMontrevtlle at second the veteran will
improve fully % per cent in his work. AS
a hitter Ely ranks at the top of shortstops
George Davis leading him by only twelve
points In the percentages. Batters are badly
needed by every club, and this point should
not be overlooked. OF course IL Manager
Lotus Is sure of landing a first-class short
stop nothing should stop him. but to place
the past year
At first base Carey looks all right. and
Manager LOTUS is satisfied with his work
The pitching staff is also all right Town
send Is sure to improve next season and
should Smith turn out winner the sena-
torial aggregation looks strong
The Idea OF having hammer out after
Deehanty looks ridiculous. The big follow
Is one Of the best ball players in the coun-
try, taking him as base runner and field
er. while with the bat he is In a class by
himself If Manager Lotus were to make
public the fact that he was through with
Del there Is hardly club In the coun-
try that wouldn't gobbe him up and con-
slider itself lucky in getting the big batter
1t comes with poor grace to belittle tho
work Of a player who Is leading the Ameri-
can League In batting. who has stolen eigh-
teen bases, only one less than Lajoie. and
In fielding has percentage better than
Selbach, Harley and Mccarthy. Il Is to be
hoped that Deaehanty Will keep in his stride
for many years to come and that he will
close his career with the Washington club.
A recapitulation. then, OF the needs Of
Manager LOTUS would be a fast, hard hit
| ting outielder and a frst-class second base
man. He has the latter and probably the
former. guaranteed sfrortstop would also
De appreciated. but an experiment looks
like a losing venture.
The American League.
Two weeka froy,n todov ftn