The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-02
SENATORS DOOMED
TO Be TAIL-ENDERS
Washington Fan Scores the
Local Management.
LOCAL BACKING is NEEDED
Johnson Ruins Chances of Having Good
Team by Freezing Man
ming Out.
70 the Editor Of rhe was1ington rimes:

Another season of baseball has been
concluded with.the team representing
The National Capital again holding the
lowest position of all the clubs In the
American League.
The city of Washington has the record
Of being an almost perpetual home OF
tail-erd baseball clubs. And of all
=. baseball teams that have UNANIMOUSLY
represented Washington in both the
National and American leagues, the one
that bore che name of Washington this
year has made the most dismal failure
and the lowest standing in the history
pf baseball in this city. The club has
been farce and a fasco throughout
the season. and has fully deserved all
the ridicule heaped upon it and more
besides, while Washington, as the home
of such club. has more than ever be-
come the laughing stock of followers
or sport all over the country
Must Await Developments.
How many more summers Washing
ton lovers Of the national pastime must
suffer through the baseball ignominy to
which they have been continually sub
1ected. for years almost out of memory,
depends upon future developments.
Local followers of major league base
ball have been patient and long suffer-
Ing, but present see no hope that the
future holds for them.
About the only prospect Washington
has OF being represented by a first
class, or even passably good, baseball
team in the future is through local
ownership of the club. According 70
our understanding of present condi-
tions, the Washington club is, and has
been since the American League placed
club here, under the direct and help
less dictatorial control of Byron Ban
croft Johnson. president of the league.
practically without any individuality OF
identity Of its own. In short. the Wash
ington club has been a nonentity. with
can aimless career TO serve. 20 be kicked
and dragged about at random by the
ether clubs Of the league.
Doomed to Be Last.
II the Washington club has had any
mission on earth to fulfill it has been
to occupy last position in the so-called
championship competition for first
place. Instead OF contesting for first
place It seems that the club has always
fought desperately for last place. and
has gained this position with almost I'M
failing regularity.
One club in the league must neces-
sarily hold that position, unless there
IS a tie for this place, and the only rea-
son imaginable why Washington is al
ways destined to win the least number OF
games of all the clubs in the league is
that Washingtonians have hardly any
other diversion than baseball for a pas
time IN summer. and they will supper;
losing team better than any other city
Pm the country; so. therefore, it is no
doubt considered policy to have the
weakest club in the league located in
Washington. because it is probably con-
Bidered that the league, as a whole, car
make more money with the tail-end club
here. Instead Of some other city being
represented by the poorest club
Suspicious of Johnson.
The above conclusions are forced
upon us because of the peculiar way IN
which President Johnson disposed OF
James II. Manning. when he was doing
his utmost to give Washington a re-
spectacle team two years ago. and was
In a fair way toward success Agar
within the past two months President
Johnson dictated the management of the
local club, and prevented the sale Of
its controlling interest to local CAPT
talists. who have the pride of the citj
at heart and would do their best to give
Washington a decent ball club. by him.
self buying Fred Postal's majority in.
terest OF 521s per cent OF the total stocl
Df the club at loss.
In view OF the absolutely ridiculous
efforts OF the Washingtons to play base
ball as IL should be played by high
salaried professionals. have often won
dered II the conscience OF your evening
mporary-allowing that IL has
conscience-wasn't pricked by its alb
surdly idiotic Communications of tn
clubs playing throughout the season
even to It's close. The Star" has dom
nothing but goo goo" over the team
But the "old woman's" ways are pecu
liar and past understanding. Being ii
her second childhood. however. We vii
not further undertake 70 ascertain VIII
she has been in a constant delirium o
ecstasy over a tail-end baseball team.
A A l.
Washington. October 1.