Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-07
GREAT CROWD
WATCHES FIRST
DIAMOND CAME
Van Haltren'S Greeks
Defeat Angels
Intense Enthusiasm Manifested, and
Seraph Team Is Accorded Great
Support as It Battles with
the Oaklanders

Back to its own again in Los Ange-
les is the good old game of baseball.
Before fullE 5000 people Henry Berry's
Angels went down to defeat before the
Oakland Commuters yeste day after
noon to the tune of to ?.
The fact that Rip Van Haltren and
his men pulled out with the first game
was the only marring factor of genu-
inc diamond celebration which batckens
good things in the way of baseball do
ings.
Eastern enthusiasm as a rule runs
ace high and moreover exists from one
end of the season to the other When
an Angel crowd sets itself to root, how
ever, no collection of crazed fans in the
country can show them what 1t means
to pull for the home team.
Such was the case yesterday. Los
Angeles was out to do baseball honor,
and incidentally cheer along Henry
Berry and the gentlemen who have vol
unteered to assist him in the perform
ance of again making Los Angeles what
it should be in the diamond world.
Little wonder then that great burst
of applause was in order when Berry
led Mayor Harper, Jim Jeffries and Ed
Kern to the plate, from where they
were introduced by Umpire Bull Per-
rine.
His honor the mayor took his place in
the pitchers box and was seen trying
to prepare for a spit ball delivery. Big
Jim Jeff gathered a big stick into hi;
hands, which appeared more like a
tooth pick in those mighty paws.
Ed Kern sought protection behind q
mask and then signaled his honor. A
breathless silence ensued. Mayor Har-
per, after careful manipulation, let
drive. Jeff was ready but the ball went
far wide of the plate and bumped
against the grandstand.
A prolonged shout arose and Jeff de-
manded another chance. This time his
honor shot the ball across like "Rube"
Waddel Jeff heaved his big shoulders
and smote nightly at the air. This
performance over, the real fun began.
Preceding entrance to the park an
automobile parade passed through the
downtown streets with players, man.
ayers and other dignitaries in the van.
A more ideal day could not have been
hit upon, and it seemed as though
baseball was in the balny air. A truly
encouraging sign was the grandStand
where all the old-time fans were gath
cred, munching peanuts and discussing
a thousand different phases
AS of yore, however, the Greeks
showed that they can extract a fall
from the Angel band under any cir
cumstances, and even though Ralph
Nagle was twirling the prettiest sort of
ball, Van Haltren managed to sneak in
a brace of runs which put the Angels
hors de combat.
To the seventh inning it was nip and
tuck, with the Angels holding a lead of
one run. Nagle went wayward for a
moment in the seventh and a couple
of tallies had the score in a knot, after
Los Angeles secured one more run in
their half.
Poor kitty" Brashear has his trou-
bles yesterday, and the crowd went
after him, even though it was the open
ing game. kitty" will be cutting a
fielding dash before long, and his err
rors OF yesterday will be forgotten.
1t seemed as though kitty had no
use for the ball in several instances
and the easiest chances were allowed to
get away. Peculiarly enough, how
ever, Brashear's bungles made no ma
terial difference, and to partially make
up for the misdemeanors he slammed
out a two-baser which figured in a run.
To Captain Dillon should be given
credit for the showing made yesterday.
During practice the Cap twisted a knee
which has been bad, and for a while il
was thought that he would be forced to
remain as a bencher.
Dillon persisted, however and limped
to his place at first. It was evident
throughout the game that his knee trou-
bled him, and he did not slzit about
with the usual Dillionian vim
Van Haltren has made nice find if
Twirler Wright's performance of yes
terday is to be taken as a criterion.
Wright is a sandy haired Wiry fellow,
and although inclined to be a trife
wild at times, is the possessor of a
good curving assortment that should
make trouble during the season.
Two notable events occurred in the
second inning, although no runs en-
sued. The first momentous occasion
was in order when Brick" DevereauX
approached the plate Devereaux was
playing ball when Curtis Bernard wore
long dresses. The longer Dew plays
however. the friskier he grows.
Crepe will be floating from the Chute,
park flagpole when a season opens
minus the presence Of "Brick" Deve.
reaux. When Brick" trotted to the
plate q glad cry of recognition arose
AS became his position of captain
Frank Dillon tore off the seasons frs
hit by slamming pretty one to cen,
ter.
Los Angeles scored its first run in tn,
fourth inning. Brashear walked anC
stole second. Smith went out, Dev
ereaux to Smith. Cap Dillon doubled
to right and scored Brashear. Cravatl
fouled to Hackett and Delmas flew t,
left.
After Oakland had tailed two run
in the sixth the seraphs evened af
fairs. With the seventh came disaster
Haley was given a pass. Devereaul
hit inheld. Hackett sacrificed an,
Wright scored Haley with a singh
past second. Smith flew to right ant
DeVereaux scored. Val Haltren wen
out Brashear to Dillon.
The score:
Los ANGELES.
ALB r. H.SB PO.A. z
esTIisIel esTnsTd' If ff ..:.. ......", 9 / 9 ! Q
Brashear, 2b .........3 2
ga.