Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-16

expenses and over. When it comes to an
argument along financial lines the National
League is playing its long suit, but the pa
irons of the game should be taken into con-
Sideration a least once in a very great
while.
President Gordon of the New York cub.
who has been a base ball enthusiast ever
since he was old enough to know what balls
and bats were for, was most enthusiastic
over the opening, and extended hearty con-
CALCULATIONS to President NOyeS. The fine
appearance of the park caught Mr.. Cor
dons eye. and he said to a Star reporter
that he believed that the Wash ngton plant
was a t last in the right hands. and that the
American League is open to congratulations
in securing to its membership gentlemen of
the caliber now controlling the Nationals.
He praised the action of the local manage
ment in refus ng to sell any more players,
and said that he would like to go on record
as predicting d most successful organiZa-
ton here inside the next couple years.
Ball teams are not built up in year.
said Mr.. Gordon, "as know to cost
over in New York. Andrew Freedman tried
for years TO get pennant winner for the
Polo grounds, and spent a carload of
money in his endeavors without success.
Treasurer Farrell of cur club is very
wealthy man, and at one time last season
would have been willing to have spent a
fortune to secure the championship. but It
takes something besides cash to come out
on top at the national game. Mr.. Farrell
fretted and fumed for some time over the
he taught the lesson that patience is
the one essential qualification in running a
hall team, and now he is waiting for his
time to come when he can shout did the
BosJCns last fall.
We believe we have a championship ag-
gregatiCn together for this season, and there
are thousands all over the country who
think the same, but Mr.. Farrell and myself
are losing no sleep over the fact, and we
will only begin to smile after we have seen
tie deciding game played and won by the
HighlandeTs Luck is a great factor in
every race for the pennant. and everybody
connected with the New York club sleeps
at night with his fingers crossed for fear
lie will be touched when his eyes are
closed.
''YCu have splendid opening here, and
we Will try and reciprocate when you come
to New York next Friday for our inaugu-
ration of the season. Good Friday you
know, is a holiday in Gotham, and already
many seats have been sold for the opening
game. The Nationals have always made
the HighlanderS extend themselves, and a
better attraction than your team could not
be wished Cor
Praise for Heydon.
When the Brooklyns were here last Tues
day and Wednesday, a Star reporter had
quite an interesting chat with Manager
Hanlon, who is looking after that aggrega-
ton. He had several bouquets to throw at
Catcher Heydon was behind the bat
Wednesday and his work was unusually
brilliant so much so az to attract the at
teution of the genial Ned. After rubbing
his eyes a couple of times the Brooklyn
manager said:
Il had that man Heydon over In Balii-
more SeN erdl years ago, and his work to-
day makes me rub my eyes. i can hard
ly believe he is the same fellow. He had
little life then and worked as though he
was homesick. He stayed with me cou-
pie of months. and then L gave him his
lease. l think he afterward turned up
here in Washington with the Wagners,
who also turned him loose. Heydon was
tipped off to me last season, and / tried TO
gather him in. but Comiskey was ahead of
me. You can gather how much / think of
Heydon from the fact that | told Manager
Stahl he could pick any man on my team
with the exception of Sheckard, and !
would trade him even up for his new
catcher. | believe that Heydon has been
overlooked for the past two years by diff
ferent managers for some unaccountable
reason, and that today he IS as good as
any man in the country behind the bat"
Slipped Through Stahrs Hands.
Pitcher Harry Pfefrer of the Chicago Ma
tonals is product of the Windy City lots,
and is touted to be one of the coming
twirlers of the country. He is as big as
Jack Powell of the New Yorks, or CIV
the voting age. Last season he was play-
Ing ON different amateur clubs in Chicago.
and his work was of such a high plane Of
excellence as to attract attention of people
VINO make 1t a business of watching for
young blood. AS a result Pfeffer was rec
commended TO President johnson several
times last season
When Manager Stahl had his 6pga,.
smashed last season and laid off for sew
erai weeks he put in most of the time in
chicago. one afternoon he went out TO see
Pfeffer work, he had known him par-
sonally Tor several years. and the game the
young twirler put up was nothing if not
sensational. That evening Stahl called on
President Johnson at the latters office In
the Fisher building and spoke enthusiastic
ally of Pfeffer's prowess asking also that
he be signed for the Nationals for this sea-
son.
IAN right. stahl," said Johnson, you go
out and sign him tomorrow"
What terms shall | offer him. asked
stahl.
Anything you want to-" said johnson.
and they will be satisfactory to me-
In speaking about the matter one even
ing last week Stahl said that ne left John
sons Office at once, hunted up Pfeffer and
after few words made him a good offer
Tor this season. Jake said: Being a close
friend of mine, you can rest assured |
made the salary high enough as | was
only a ball player then. and you should
nave seen Pfeffers jaw drop when he heard
my hSQres He told me he would like to
play with me, but that he had placed his
name to Chicago National League con-
tract but a few hours previous NV offer
was Just 1--WE hundred over what he had
signed Tor and can you wonder his Jaw
dropped?''
A Couple of Technical Points.
In game at Memphis this spring between
the home club and the Cincinnati team a
play came up that caused great deal of
discussion. and which the papers and
fans of the Southern League circuit
argued over for a week. The play was a
simple one to a student of the game al
il is surprising that the right solution was
not arrived at on the instant of its oc-
curence