The Washington herald., 1907-07-28
BASE BALL NOTES AND COMMENT.

Something new has developed in the
throwing line in Brooklyn. A while ago
Chance. of the Cubs, was the star in
singing soft stuff holders; now a bunch
Of hOodlums who hang on the fire escapes
on the flats that go TO make up the land
scape about the Superbas' grounds hurl
potatoes and pieces of coal at the fielders
OF the Br0oklyn's opponents. Player
Mitchell, who takes care of the right
garden for the Reds, complained to Um-
pire Klein that he was hit frequently by
pieces of coal thrown by the ruffians
who pike off the game from the houses
just back of the right-fleld fence Klein
stopped the game and put il up to Man.
ager Donovan. Donovan couldn't dc any
thing. So Mitchell went back 10 his po-
sitiOn and took a chance of receiving
a crack on the head. As luck would
have it. Mitchell escaped without getting
hit. although quite a few pieces of coal
and potatoes were aimed at him. This
sort of rowdyism should not exist
says one of the fair patrons, "and
the officials OF the Brooklyn club should
see that it does not happen again. It
only goes TO show how some cheap fans
are really hard losers. and their igno-
rance is displayed when such tactics are
Tesorted TO-"
Speaking Of the failure of the Cleveland
club. JOY. IN the Leader, says:
1T Is time TO be frank The Maps lack
management / first saw NJ. Lajole play
in 1857, and L ever have admired his play
ing. but as manager he is not success
full
This is not hasty judgment Heaven
knows there has been time sufficient In
which TO prove. When the crux comes
the Cleveland baseball team under the
management of NJ. La1oie fails 20 fight it
out
That is the sad part Of It, Cripples are
common on every team, but this year the
Maps have had few cTipples. Chicago and
Detroit have suffered more than we. But
without criDples whatsoever the Maps be-
gan playing the downhill variety of base
ball that prohibits pennants
'Tis true. 'tis true. but pity it's It's
true as Bill says. Great ball player that
he is, H. Lajoie lacks that peculiar some
thnig that means victory. He cannot
guide the men under him to success as 4
team, cannot arouse that enthusiasm.
that spirit Of h0mogeneousness that
means winning games
Il fear that because NJ. Lai0ie is so ex-
cellent in playing himself, and is so con
sCientious that he places all others on the
team in the same category and expects
from them just as much as ne does him
self. They are not all. perhaps of that
stamp Of mind and DO not do as In honor
bound NJ Lajoie would do Hence his
lack Of success as a manager.
'Genera!ship Is a peculiar and unusual
quality. Few have il. and il is seldom
that one who is a good lieutenant be-
comes a general of forcefulness But
once having tasted the strong wine OF
command, who would go back 10 the
claret of subordlnacy until the vintage Of
power is exhausted?
so it is IN this case. NJ. 4ajoie will be
manager so long as he remains on the
Cleveland team. And so long as he is
manager the Cleveland team will not play
pennant ball.
1T Is hard 10 realize that the pedestal
is crumblEg under one of our idols. but
1t is. NJ. Lajoie. wonderful second base
man. remarkable hitter, and a man who
Throughout is an honor 20 the game.
should not attempt 10 play and manage,
too. But can we blame him II. after hav-
ing attained command, he does not turn
over his authority to some one else?
well, he has giveif US some mighty
good baseball and some that would bet
ter be forgot but no matter what Ia
does, NJ Lajoie always Will be well be-
loved by the fans Of Cleveland ''