Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-04
FOR WELCOME
GLAD HAND FOB NATIONALS ON
THEIR RETURN.
Loyal Fans Of the Capital Getting
Ready to Give Top Notchers
Rousing Reception.
At the top of the ladder.

80 SIanQ the NdLlUIidlS, tiiC PiiuS " 49,
capital city, in the race for the pennaht oI
the American League
For this reason, and to show their appre-
citation of the great article of ball the To-
calls are putting up against the strongest
| aegregations in the base ball world, the
friends of the game in Washington are pre-
pairing to give the Nationals rousing send
off on their return tonight from Philadel-
phia for short stay on the home grounds.
There will be red fire galore. Music from
the band will lend added inspiration to the
throngs of rooters who will yell themselves
hoarse in greeting the returning heroes of
the diamond, who have done the local man
agement and the local fans proud. 1t has
always been said that the Nationals could
have good team, and they are showing at
this stage of the game that they have ar
rived. They were several years in getting
here, but it is believed that with further
development of the material in hand they
have come to stay
With the Nationals will come the Phil
lies, with whom they have been playing
ducks and brakes for the past several
rounds of the battle in the Quaker city.
of merrymakers, and made to feel that al
though they unwillingly contributed to put
| ting the Nationals on the top round of the
ladder their good k?) work for the capital
city boys is deeply appreciated
At any rate, ere this evening passes
away the Nationals will be made to feel
in no unmeasured terms that their good
playing will always be appreciated by the
faithful fans who have followed their deS-
TIMES for many years.
1t is expected that the team will arrive
at the Pennsylvania depot this evening at
1920 o'clock. They will be taken in charge
by Mr.. Frank Mexican, representing Bob
Murphy of the Regent Hotel and Mr.. R. +.
LeMat of the Spalding company. Three
low ,,nbt1 Of h ttnra
will be a band, will be waiting at the sta
ton entrance for the ''conquering heroes
and their conquered rivals. All hands will
Immediately mount the machines and spin
up the avenue to the Regent Hotel where
Mr.. Murphy has ordered that a banquet be
spread for them. This banquet will be at
tended by the members of the Washington
and Philadelphia teams, the officers of the
local base ball club, Col. NJ. Emmett UrelI
representing Mr.. Murphy, who is in AL
bany. N. Y: Frank c. Berens, who do
mated the use of the automobiles, and Mr..
LeMat, who has worked untiringly all day
to make the reception a success.
Arrangements for Banquet.
1t is the intention of those having the
matter in charge to arrange for the at
tendance of such others who may desire
to do SO and who will notify the manage
ment of the hotel in time to make arrange
ments for seating them at the tables.
1t Is expected that the avenue will be
lined with people tonight to welcome the
team, as it has been arranged to burn red
fire in large quantities from 9th street to
the Regent Hotel. In addition to this
number Of merchants and others along the
line have arranged to explode fireworks.
Those having the reception in charge
noCnced this afternoon that they would be
glad to have in the procession such private
coaches and carriages as desired to add to
the showing of welcome.
For the second time in fifteen years the
Washington club is in first place, but this
contest for the position of honor has been
harder fought than the previous one The
Washington club in 1880 won the pennant
has been represented in major league the
club has never held a prominent ppsition.
On May 6, 1893, the Nationals, then owned
by the Wagners and managed by James
o Rourke, occupied first place for one day.
There were twelve clubs in the National
League, and Cleveland held the lead until
May 6. On that day Cleveland lost and
Giants, IL to 3.
The following day Cleveland again went
into the top position, while the Nationals
gradually fell back, and on May they
were. fifth. The team of May 6 was made
up as follows: Radford, right field; Hoy
centerfield; ORourke. left field; Wise, sec
ond base; Larkin, first base: Farrell, CATCH
err; Mulvey, third base; Sullivan, shortstop:
Maui pitcher That night the standing of
the Nationals was five games won and two
lost. The present achievement of the club
Is much greater, inasmuch as the club has
won ten games and lost six, while they are
in league far superior to that of 1888,
when there were twelve clubs unevenly bal
anced.