Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-13

- were discussing the merits of the
L ~ various teams Of the American
League and particularly the team
representing Washington. One of the party
remarked: From present indications the
Athletics of Philadelphia and the Nationals
of Washington will be called upon this sea-
son to maintain the supremacy in the east.
Boston and New York have fallen down so
Enthusiastically that although 1t is early in
the season the indications are that neither
will be factor in the championship race.
Players Of the Boston team seem stale and
lacking in ginger, which is such an impor-
tant factor in winning ball games. Clark
Grif1th's team of Highlanders are playing
ball with their jaws. evidently imbued with
the idea that such exhibitions as they have
recently been giving in this respect will
endeaT them to the spectators and enable
them to overawe the umpires. There seems
to be woeful lack of team work among
the New York contingent and the players
act as though they We're under a taskmas-
ter who believes In keeping his men cowed.
This Is plainly manifest from the actions
of the men on the ball field, and they are
lacking, with one or two exceptions, in the
courage and dash which Is such an essen
tial part OF the outfit of ball player.
On the other hand. 1t is a pleasure as
well as relief from snarling and wrang-
ling to turn to the Athletics and Nationals.
Both are putting up an aggressive snappy
the positions they do. Injecting new and
young blood into the Athletics makeup has
been of incalculable benefit, which has been
demonstrated by the results of their play
Ing thus far during the season. In the case
of the Nationals judicious mixture of old
and young players is showing the wisdom
of such a course At the rate they are GO
ing now and with the marked improvement
In their pitching corps, it seems a reason
able proposition to predict that they will
not get out of the first division this season
All the men seem to work In harmony,
making the success of the club their sole
aim, and depending upon fielding and hit
ting the ball to win games. instead Of fight
Ing among themselves and jawing back at
the umpres.
Players all over the country have had
the tip given them that the new and pro-
sresslve management of the, Washington
club appreciate and recognize good work
and consequently the boys are encouraged
to put forth their best efforts and work
along the lines of unity of action between
management and players. Their work
shows this and brings out In strong con-
trast the former lack-luster attitude Of
the Washington team, when 1t seemed con-
tent to get in the last hole and stay there
without making an effort to get out. 1t
seemed couple of years ago as though
the team was content to draw salaries re-
CARELESS of position in the championship
race and it seemed to have lost ambition
TO do anything but insure meal tickets
All this has been changed however and
more aggressive. hustiing team of ball
players than the Nationals cannot be found
in the ranks of the big leagues of this
country.
Lovers of the game of base ball who go
out to the Nationals Park nowadays are
assured before they start that they will
see a contest in which there Is no lack of
energy, dash or pluck on the part of the
team representing the national capital, and
that explains the increase in patronage
which must be source of qualification to
those who have assumed the reins of man
agement. No matter If the boys do drop
game now and then, those In attendance
come away from the ball park satisfied
that earnest and honest efforts have been
made to win and that there has been no
letdown by the Nationals, but the game
has been fought to finish in a manner
which Is gratifying and satisfying to the
occupants of the grand stand and bleachers
"It remains to be seen what the Washing
tons will do with the western contingent.
but, IL their work during the past month is
any criterion for the future. we are all
destined to feel proud Of the team at the
capital of the nation. and they will make