Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-03
CATCHERS AND
PICTHERS ARE ALL RIGHT

Several sporting writer's in the American
League cities. and, in fact, many fans at
home, are inclined to the belief that the
Washington club will be weak behind the
bat the coming season unless another first
class man is obtained. On the contrary,
the backstops of the Nationals will COM
pare favorably with those of any other
team in the country, not excepting the Chi
cago champions, who possess tEo cracker
jacks in Sullivan and Mcfarland.
A great cry went up when it was found
that Howard Wakefield had to be returned
to the Cleveland club, but it is doubtful
whether Manager Cantillon would trade
either Warner Heydon for this coming
youngster. Wakefield certainly bears the
marks of a coming catcher. but his work
last season behind the bat demonstrated
that he was far away from having ar
rived AS batter he was of great as
sistance last year to the Nationals, but
ceiving end of a battery his work made the
players on the local team smile.
These remarks are intended in no way as
knock at Wakefield. as the writer be-
in the country in about two. or possibly
three, years. AT the present time he is
simply a minor league catcher taking les
sons in the fastest of major leagues. Wake
fields greatest fault is his want of calm
ness in a tight game. When ticklish sit
uations would bob up Howard would COM
mence to sweat and fret and old Lave
Cross and. Jake Stahl used to take turns
telling him what to do. The opposing play
ers would be quick to grasp the situation
and then to make life miserable for Wake
field. With rupner on third and one on
first Wakefield would become as nervous as
a cat and on the slightest provocation COM
mence throwing the ball around the infield.
Then could be heard the sharp tones OF
Stahl or Cross yelling out Hold the BALI!
These words would quickly pull Wakefield
back to earth, and he generally bushed at
such times like young girl taking her first
dancing lesson.
Wakeheld's greatest accomplishments
were his modesty and willingness. He fire.
quently asked Cross for advice, which was
always given by Lave with pleasure, and
it was always appreciated. He was never
never happier than when in the game in
some capacity. He had the splendid nat
ural ability SO necessary in making good
ball player. and with the bat hit the ball
for keeps.
But the Nationals greatest need is sea-
soned catchers to handle the young twirl-
ers-and also the old for that matter, as
Kitson is about the only one who can work
without instrucr irons from behind the bat
and in Warner and Heydon this gap is
amply filed. Last fall Warner played as
good ball for the Nationals as could be
asked for his timely batting being appre-
ciated, and he certainly turned back many
speedy base runners. Jack Heydon report
ed in poor shape in the spring, then broke
MS nnSer, ana his poor WOIh Cdii oIiiS NC
described under the head of "off season.
He will come back this spring an entirely
different mainland when the Indiana boy is
right there is simply nothing to 1t. Year
before last Manager Griffith thought SO
much of Heydon that he offered to trade
the great Kleinow for him, but the offer
was turned down with thanks. Then in
addition to Warner and Heydon is the Pa
cific coast man, Blankenship. This young
ster worked on the coast all last fall, and
his work there was first class. his throwing
being accurate, and In addition he Is fast
on hts feet and can hit the ball. All things
considered Washington is we'll fortified be-
Lind the bat.
The same opinion is also applicable to the
pitching department. Take your pick OF
any of the minor league pitchers the coun-
try over and Is there one who looks better
than or as good as Pattea, Kitson, Hughes,
Smith or Falkenberg? Pitchers who are
the equal of these men are already In the
major leagues and beyond reach, and at
that there are not over three or four better
than Patten or Hughes.
The chief necessity OF this group OF tWirl-
ers is a manager who will make them do
their best every time they step on the rub
Der, no matter what the team may be they
are working against, and here Is where
Manager Gantillon Is expected to shine out
with the brilliancy of the diamond he wears
In his necktie. Teams would come here with
the prestige of being able to hit certain
pitchers of the local club and as result
the game would be lost almost as soon as
started. Ideas Of this sort are bad for the
club and Manager Cantillon has expressed
himself as being able to "knock 1t out of
them"
Case Patten can be depended upon, as he
likes Washington and wants to play here.
Kitson can always be relied upon to do his
best, and II the veteran can only overcome
the local climate he will be a great help.
Hughes needs driver and will do great
work next summer. Smith Is also OF the
sort who need urging, while Falkenberg will
be the great objective point for Manager
Cantillon this spring. In conversation with
the writer when last in this city Manager
Cantillon said:
81 consider Falkenberg one Of the best
twirlers In the American League-and that
means the country-and ] not only base my