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

Weather Not Warm Enough for
Collins Veterans - Crit
fith's Poor Prospects.
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BY J. C. MORSE.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
BOSTON, Mass, May H. 1905.
1t Is rather odd coincidence that the
two leaders of 1903-the Boston Americans
and the Pittsburg Nationals-should find
the shedding SO trying this year Complaint
comes from Pittsburg that there is not that
hustle, that striving. that enthusiasm that
is to be expected, and oddly enough one
hears the same sort of criticism in many
quarters about the Boston Americans Is
1t possible that the players of those two
teams have been too long in the same city,
too long under the same leadership? The
old Baltimores kept winning so long as
they were together. SO did the BQstons OF
the ninetes. After the Baltimores were
transferred to Brooklyn they kept on win
ming, and 1t was only when they and the
Bostons were disinteSrated that they stop
ped winning games. Pittsburg won PEN
nants three times running and the loss of
some of it's crack players gave the New
York Giants a chance to make the running,
but PittSburg showed to good advantage
just the same Without question players
can be too long in a city. Changes in base
ball are desirable and it is good thing
beyond a doubt to do some swapping now
and then. This does not pertain neces-
sarily to the Pittsburg and the Boston
clubs 1t refers to all where men have
been too long in one city.
1t is very true that the Collins team
has done great work under his leadership.
The club got very bad start last season,
but rallied afterward and landed a very
good fourth, as many will remember, De-
troit only beating Boston out for third
place in the last day. VIII history repeat
itself this year? The team started poorly
last season and has started badly this sea-
son. Washington started grandly last sea-
son and again this season has been making
a fine showing and more than once already
has shown front and has given every prom
ise of remaining in the first division for
longer time than 1t did last VIII Boston
begin to win soon as was the case last sea-
SOM That remains to be seen. The condi-
tons up to the present time have not ia
vored the veterans of Collins team. The
weather has been entirely against them. 1t
has been altogether too cold, and the
best results from the team can be expected
when 1t is good and hot. There is no ques-
ton that the team lacks movement. 1t is
the general complaint that its game Is
too dead, that the inspiration the dash
and go so characteristic of the club In sea-
sons past has been greatly lacking this
season. While it is true the club was
pennant winner two seasons in succession,
that Is thing of the past. The team of
those days is not the team of today. The
club has not been getting faster as it has
been getting older, and the other teams
nave been GStIlnR raster some GluDS nave
kept abreast of the times-not the Bostons
rs
Manager Connie Mack of the Athletics
has been a believer in young blood and has
dabbled freely in 1t. He had very good
man in young Hoffman. who has just been
traded to the New York Americans for
Dave Fultz, and Mack hopes to prevail upon
the latter player to again don a uniform.
Z. Is,.1A a..
1t is Mack. He started school boy in his
infeId last season. he played Hoffman regu-
larly, and it was only the fact the latter
was hit by a pitched ball that impaired his
usefulness. He also had Lord, the out
fielder, and tried pitchers with no prelimi-
nary experience in major league company
to speak of. This season he has kept
and has introduced Brouthers, young in
fielder from the Southern League, and Out
fielder Armbruster from the New England
League. He keeps his team young. and
team must be kept young these days to be
what is necessary.
Il
Speed on the bases played decided part
| to give the Chicago White Sox second place
| last season.
Fielder Jones did not have the experience
of Collins as manager and did very well
indeed Some seem inclined to think that
| the White Sox will prove a disappointment
| this season. but the club has the pitchers,
| is strong behind the bat and has speed out
| side the batteries, and ought to hold Its
| own in the race.
Assuredly GrifIith's New York team will
be no pennant winner this year. and at the
present writing win scarcely land in the
first Division. Grifith. always an umpire
Il