The Washington times., 1903-04-13
SENATORS FOURTH OR
BETTER, SAYS ]. RYAN
Washington's Premier Cen
terfelder "Dopes Up" on
Baseball and Paints Local
Team in Roseate Hue.
Cleveland, St. Louis, and
Boston He Picks to Beat
Out Local Aggregation.
Places New York Sixth.

Now that the glad period Of spring
has rolled around and the Joyous Eas-
terrible is here-that season when al
hopes run hight may be well 10
fathom the hopes OF those most inter
ested In the welfare of the Washington
ball club ana ascertain, as nearly as
possible, the probable part the Senators
viii play in the affairs of the American
League this coming year. Already the
local fans have seen the Statesmen in
four games, wherein they were Iined-5.D
against foes worthy Of their steel. Twice
they downed the Philadelphia League
team and then broke even with Ned
HanIon's Brooklyn League club. with one
game won and one lost
In all of these contests, Washington
started in doubly handicapped. In the
first place, the team has not had he
benefit OF a Southern practice trip, as
did both of its opponents: the weather
conditions since the Senator'S first be
gan to straggIe into town have been
most unpTopitious for ball playing. and
little OF 10 practicing has been INDUCED
in Then again. Delehanty has been
most conspicuous by his absence. and
the loss of his mighty ash was severely
felt
Played Good, Fast Ball.
Yet. despite all these drawbacks. the
boys sailed in, played good, fast ball
showed some appreciation for team
work, batted fairly wei, ran bases like
a group of sandlotters and when the
dustsof battle lifted three scalps dangIed
at their belts
Now that Delehanty has returned TO
the fold II may be wise 10 dope up" a
little, and toward this end Tie Times
man chatted long and earnestly with
Jimmy Ryan, canteTheIder OF the Wash
ington club, yesterday afternoon.
Ryan Is quiet fellow, conservative
10 degree, slow 10 express an opfn-
ion, but when once spoken, that opinion
remains mistaken Comfortably en-
seoheed IN a 1ounging chair at The Ok
ford, Ryan was found reveIing in the
Kaleidoscope display Of Easter mil
linery as It passed the hotel windows
IN review.
Best Ever" Says Ryan.
What do I think of the Washington
oIub?'' this quiet fellow said. .eWen. let
me think" Ryan never speaks, nor
acts. without thinking why, II is
the best club ever in this city, I can
safely assert
Thus having delivered himself of this
positive assertion. Ryan curIed up in
his chair and shut up like clam. while
his eyes dweIt long AID fondIy on an
especially attractive girl as she fitted
by, respondent in new gown and hat
'.She's a cracker, amt she2' said jim
my. once more returning to the present
RYAN was then asked 10 name the
probable positions the American League
teams would finish in. at the end OF The
forthcoming season
You want me TO dope them out for
you. do you?" said Jimmy. Well. again
let me think. 7 have been thinking OF
this same thing Tor some time past. and
since have had an opportunity TO size
up the boys work and have learned Of
DeIehanty's intention TO play with US, I
cant see anything worse in store for Us
than the fourth perch; this. of course.
barring accidents, such as crippled play
ers, tagged out pitchers, and possible
desertions-'
Picks Washington Fourth.
The following is the way in which
Ryan has picked the race this season:
Cleveland.
ST Louis
Boston.
Washington.
Philadelphia.
New York
Chicago.
Detroit.
When asked If he was not everest
mating the strength OF the Statesmen,
Jimmy said: Not . bit Of a. With the
exception of DeIchanty, the team has
10 stars. You all know Del does not pose
as . star IN the field; his mighty proves
lies in his bat, and there is no danger
Of his Sinking his work in the field and
nursing record.
Now since baseball became a science
(and you know II is cIassed as such.
nowadays: If you don't believe me can
vass the bleachers and they viii all
bear me OUT, the fate Of all star teams
has been one OF dire failure and igno-
miay. Take fer example the oDce famous
Baltimore team under the managerial
guidance Of that astUte baseball general
Ned Hanlon- He gathered about him
Iot Of husky young fellows, ali anxious
10 learn the game What was the result?
Three straight pennants for Baltimore.
And why? Because they played together
They introduced the hit-aud-run game
and worked II TO perfection
How They Worked It.
III was treat to see BIcGraw. the
scrappiest little Irishman tina ever coy
cred a base, get on first and make a
dive for second. Willie Keeler invariably
followed him. and whether IL was the
second baseman OF shotstou that ran