Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-01
COMMENT ON THE GAME,


spectators generally come out Of the gates
with scowls or sarcastic grins on their
faces. but yesterday everybody appeared to
wear smile OF satisfaction. They had
made up their minds that the Nationals
We're doomed to defeat as soon as Ed Walsh
walked to the rubber. az he is undoubtedly
the best twirler in the business today, bar
ring no one. Walsh demonstrated this fact
In the world series. But the happy fans
were elated over the fact that Manager
Cantillon has apparently added another
star to his aggregation in Pitcher Gehrng.
This makes four good ones for Mister
Joe this season-Ganley, Delehanty. ely
mer and Gehring-and that Is going some
and then some more. behring's work yes
terday stamped him artist. He was
IN perfect form in handling himself in the
pitchers box and had Charley Jones cap
tured Davis flies in the seventh and ninth
innings. only step separating fielder and
ball. a different tale would probably have
been told Gehring faced several Of the
brainest players in the business yesterday.
and on different occasions efforts were made
to get him off his stride. but the youngs;er
refused TO go ballooning and hung on like
grim death In addition to pitching we'll
Gehring slashed out a clean single of the
great spit-ball artist, and as only four hits
were made by the locals the hit is some
thing 10 be proud Of
If Fielder Jones fulflls his announced in
eSAAe'OAi "a "AeiiuA q" IAoHi DdSS U34ll dt
the end OF the present season he will retire
In the zenith of his greatness as ball
player. irrespective Of his reputation as a
manager. His batting this season has been
something like that which he used to show
In the old days at Brooklyn before he was
bothered with managerial cares, and as for
his fielding. it has been remarkable. His
TWO catches yesterday were simply marvel
GUS Catcnes bordering on the phenomenal
have been attributed to him so often that
they do not attract the comment that plays
OF q similar character ordinarily do and a
feature of them this season Is that many Of
these oimcult plays have occurred at crit
lcal times in games. The White Sox leader
IN his fielding especially, seems to have an
unusual faculty for rising to the emergency
II a hard ball Is driven to the outfield, when
opposing runners are on bases waiting to
score and nothing but catch will avert
sen ingly sure defeat Fielder Jones seems
to possess an inspired ability to reach the
ball-barely reach 1t at that. Those who
know Well that he never attempts anything
having the slightest resemblance to grand
stand plays have been particularly i'm
pressed with the number of hard catches he
has scored. Most of those we'll acquainted
with the worlds championship leader be-
leve the stories of his contemplated retire.
ment are true but II it does come true II
Will be the first time in the history OF any
professional sport that man 50 conspicu-
Gus IN MS special calling has voluntarily
retired when 50 capably maintaining his
high standard Of skill OF course, the espe
ciA supporters of the White Sox. and hase
ball fans the country over. for that matter.
are hoping Jones VIII stay. for he is popu-
lar on all sides and in both leagues among
the players and those who support the
game
Johnson over to Catcher Blankenship and
when the latter says the youngster ia At to
work he win be given a trial in the box
several OF the Nationals have been good
naturedly Kidding Blankenship over his
charge, but Cliff has come back with the
retort that he would fool them all Blanken-
chip says that johnson has everything a
good twirler should have. and IL he can
instiil confidence into him he will be a sue
cess from the start. The Washington
fans are particularly anxious to see
out the word ready too soon to suit
them
The Washington players endeavored TO
dress In the old clubhouse Tuesday, but the
dirt and SCOT from the charred boards
were too much for them and they will
continue to dress at their hotels or homes
until the new clubhouse Is built Yesterday
the Regent House push came out In a
big sightseeing automobile and Tom
Hughes created lots Of noise and hilarity
way from the hotel to the grounds Catchers
Heydon and Blankenship Pitchers Gehring
and Graham and Third Baseman Shipke
board near the grounds and walk to the
park in their uniforms to the delight Of the
kids" in that section, who follow the
players In crowds.
Otis Cymer was very much in yester
days tough battle, getting a single out of
three turns at the bat, stole two bases and
one OF his four catches was OF the ringer
sort. 1t occurred in the first inning
Fielder Jones lined low fly into left field
ana Clymer kept running after it until he
grabbed the ball about foot from the
ground 1t was snowy catch. and I'M
~ fypo- ho
Little Shpke IL certainly streak Of
hgntnins Any one that can tumble a
Frounder on Pat Dougherty and then head
him on at first Is certainly going some in
the fielding hne. Dougherty was the third
man up in the second inning. and he shot
Dao p9under at Shipke that the little fell
the twist on the ball Quick as a flash he
bounded after the ball straightened un and
shot the sphere to Anderson as straight and
true as a rifle ball.
The celebrated Tigers from Detroit start
q series with the Nationals tomorrow. and
It goes without Saying that they will be
under the leadership OF Hugh jennings
have certainly been playing great ball this
season. and Manager Jones has admitted
that the Chicagos Will have to beat either
the Tigers or the Athletics to win the pen
nant AS the Nationals have also been
playing finely since coming homo the Sc
ries should be exceptionally interesting and
hard fought.
Connie Mack is driving the dark horse"
In the American League race at furious
pace. II Comics team keeps coming he
w'n De serious contender for the cham
ponshfp The Athletics finish at home.
This - no small advantage with WaddeIi
IN form and the reliable Collins at third
Mack Xmas has nine which must not be sneesed
at. Chicago is about due for a slump. Sci
dom does team go through a chamnion-
ship season without having a losn~ siraoL
The White sox have been singuiariy for.
tunats. A little bad luck would pull them
of their high horse. Poor, disconre III
faded Cleveland Is now third The Detroit.
passed the Maps Thursday. The Athlettcs
are but one or two games behind the IeaS.
ers. Four clubs are fighting for first place
The winner in the grand wind-up cannot be
named with any degree OF certainty. Luck
will be the important factor. Without a
goodly share Of luck any team Is helpless
Charley Bennett near a quarter of q
century ago the greatest of all catohers,
has been a regular attendant at the games
in Detroit this season. Bennett. It will Be