Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-13
BASE BALL, RACING
AND OTHER SPORTS
COMMENTS ON THE GAME.

in the eighth inning they stirred up the
newspaper men in the scorers box. All
the Chicago papers had to be looked after
with running accounts Of the game and at
the same time the score book kept in shape
This can be done without any trouble under
ordinary circumstances, but Durham kept
putting the ball over the plate and the
Chicagos banged the first one that came
up AS a result there was a procession
around the sacks and the newspaper men
nearly bobbed their heads off trying to
keep tab or the runners and fielders and
write out description at the same time.
May it never happen again.
1t would prove interesting II some one
would dig up a game that Case Patten
has won on cloudy day with muddy
grounds. The clever left-han Ger needs
warm sunshine and baked felts 20 go his
best but under conditions th~St existed
yesterday Patten Is almost useless. He
loses control, and the fact that he is not
of his feet in making plays also hurts
his pitching. There is nothing of the spit
ball artist about Patten. He depends en-
tirely on his noodle and knowledge of
the batsmen to prevent hits being made
but he must have the right conditions to
make his work effective. Frank Smith, on
the other hand, depends upon terrific speed,
and as he had 1t yesterday and was helped
by the dark day there was nothing to It
from start to finish. Put these two twrlers
on the slab in opposition to each other on
warm, sunny, day, and Patten will trim
Smith three times out of four and he won't
have the support that the latter has at
that.
James Delehanty, the new third baseman
recently purchased from the ST. Louis club,
reached Washington yesterday about l
o'clock, and was at the park in uniform.
He would have gone in the game but for
superstition that he holds that it is
bad luck to take part in contest on the
day he reports. Jim will be all right by
this afternoon and make his first try at
third for the Washingtons against the
Tigers. Looking at the newcomer sideways
there is remarkable resemblance to the
great Del" especially when he smiles, with
his mouthful of beautiful teeth. At the bat
he also has Eds swing, and it would be a
great piece of luck for Washington should
Jim be able to step into his elder brothers
shoes Big Ed. Delehanty in his prime
had no peer a fielder hitter or base
runner.
The Detroit Tigers, under the charge of
Manager Hughey Jennings, reached Wash
ington this morning at I o'clock. After
breakfast several of the players scattered
about town to visit friends. Bill Coughlin
and Bill Donovan being among the num-
Der. The Detroiters are in splendid shape
at present, and unless knocked out by in
juries to players will be close up to the
leader III the championship race next fall.
Jennings has argued this bunch of clever
ball players into taking the game seriously,
and a result they are playing winning
ball from every angle. The outfeld of the
Detroits is about the best in the American
League while the infield needs Chase or
Donohue to make it a top-notcher. In the
pitching line the Tigers have three great
stars in Mullin, Donovan and killian, and
each one can win his game with anything
like fair support The small patronage at
home takes the life out of the team at
times, and the good showing this season
can be placed to the credit Of Jennings
alone. Left to themselves, the Detroit
players, being of the happy-go-lucky sort,
don't care a rap who wins, but good
leader has made the team pennant pos
sibility.
Manager Cantillon said this morning that
he would probably work Graham or Fall
kenberg against the Tigers this afternoon,
while wild Bill Donovan will more than
likely be on the firing line against the Ma
tionals. With Delehanty on third and Per-
rine back at second a good contest can be
looked for.
After the disastrous seventh inning, Man
ager Jones decided he had enough of it,
and sent out young Welday to work in his
place, The youngster looks a winner all
over as he is very fast on his feet, and
made one catch in the short center field that
demonstrated that he understands his bust
ness. He had only one try at the bat, and
sent roller to Schlafy, but the way he
went down to first In the mud was an eye
opener. When Durham went INTO the bat
tie he carried Heydon with him, and the
other change was when Mcfarland relieved
Sullivan behind the bat. 1t kept the scorers
busy marking up the changes.
Charley Hickman's bad knee is slowly
rounding into good shape, and the cheerful
lad believes he will be able to resume work
by next Monday. Mick" Is anxious to get
back in the game, but Manager Cantillon
will insist that the injured knee is all right
this time before the big fellow will be al
lowed to work.
The local patrons Of the Washington club
must make up their minds to take what
Manager Cantillon gives them without grum-
bling. Washington has had for years teams
made up of nice" fellows, and the club
made continuous performance of hugging
the last rung of the ladder in the cham
pionship race or thereabouts. Cantillon is
slowly getting together bunch of players
who will listen to his instructions and al
ways do their best. They may not look so
swell off the diamond, but the Washington
fans want results, not figures. and Can
tillon will be able to show them in good
form II left alone and not handicapped by
meddlers. Stick a spike there.
Connie Mack is still on the lookout for
players, evidently determined to win the
championship this year IL money brains
and hustling will accomplish that result
At present he is in communication with the
Detroit club, endeavoring to secure Downs,
youngster who has been playing a great
game in the outfeld lately for Manager
Jennings team and whose home position is
that of catcher. Whether Manager Mack
wants Downs for catcher and cut the
strings he has to Berry, farmed out at
present to Williamsport, as substitute
outfielder to take Lords place, only Connie
himself knows. But Mr.. Mack evidently
thinks well of Downs else he would not
have made bid to purchase his release
from Detroit. After the large sum of
money paid last week to Boston for Jimmy
Collins. it is evident that the Athletic clubs
reserve fund is still tap for Connie to
use in the purchase of such players as he
may need to put the Athletics In pennant-
winning shape. Detroit will hardly part
with Downs but Manager Macks offer for