Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-02

| Special Correspondence of The Star.
BOSTON, July 2, 1905.
The second western trip of the Boston
Americans to the west will be watched
| with a deal of interest, for upon it will
depend in a very large measure the posi-
ton the club will occupy in the cham
pionship race of 1905. Many of the inter-
ested have been trying to make out why
| 1t is that the club is not in the thick of
the battle. The only answer is that the
club has not been hitting well enough to
win games. 1t was supposed that this de-
partment of the club would be strength
ened considerably by the addition of Jess
Burkett. Manager McAleer did not re-
lease that player on account of any dis
satisfaction with his work SO much as
that he believed he had outgrown his
welcome in ST. Louis When here Mr.. Nc
Aleer stated his belief Burkett would
prove a decided addition to the team, and
it may be this will turn out to be the
case. The work of this player in the field
has left nothing to be desired. He is still
one of the best in the country in his po-
sition. He covers a deal of ground and
throws strongly and accurately. There
is no doubt at all, therefore, that the
team is stronger by considerable in the
Outfield than it was last season. In bat
ting, however, the outfield is not so good
as 1t was in 1904. Buck" Freeman is
likely to break up any game by one of
his long drives, and he made many last
season He is always in the best of shape.
Manager Collins has kept Burkett in the
game for the reason that he believes Jess
will yet strike his old-time form. In the
infield the only change made was the sub
stitution of Grimshaw for La Chance, and
this has not proved to be a happy one,
for the reason that the latter has not
nearly equaled big" George a fielder
or surpassed him as a batsman. The Bos-
ton infeld has had more misplays this
season than it had at any time when La
Chance was in the game, which shows
but too plainly that he was able to take
care of all kinds of throws that Grim
shaw found too much for him, and La
Chance, too, would have fielded many a
hit the new man failed to handle. Man
ager Collins surely had good ground to
make the change, for La Chance batted
very poorly in the beginning of the sea-
son, while Grimshaw showed form at
| the bat and in the field in the spring that
made him look like the man to fill the
bill. One cannot always tell by spring
form what q man will do In the cham
pionship games. Grimshaw takes the best
of care of himself and is an earnest,
painstaking player.
The pitching corps is the same as that
of last season, but an apparent mistake
was made in allowing Josslyn to go else
where. On more than one occasion he has
been needed here, and he will be much
needed when the double headers come
along. He has shown by his work with
the Providence Eastern League club that
he is surely ripe for fast company. More
than one major league club is carrying
six pitchers, and 1T has been shown thus
early that is the proper number for a club
to carry that is out for the pennant. Bos-
ton, too, has not lost it's grip upon Henry
Olmstead, who has done excellent serv-
ice for Jersey City. In fact, 1T is the work
of Josslyn for Providence and of Ohm
stead for Jersey City that has kept those
clubs well up in the Eastern League
race. Both of those men would fit in well
In many a major league club.
Louie Criger Is catching fully as well as
he ever did in his career, and that means
that he stands fairly alone His throwing
is marvel of strength and accuracy. He
is hitting the ball well, too, and is evidently
feeling stronger than he has for very long
time. McGovern shows up WELL too, and
will be valuable man when he has had
more experience.
The New York Americans also made a
change first base over last season, Sc
curing young Chase to fill the gap left
vacant by the retirement of John Camel.
The young man made an excellent impress
sion In the games here In the last series
with the Highlanders He plays with a
deal of dash and confidence. and In another
season will vie with the best in the bust
ress. This change was necesstated, how
ever, for Griffith was DESTROYS to retain
Camel ON his staff. New York has added
q first-class man in kleiiiow, who has