Evening star., 1907-08-03
COMMENT ON THE GAME.

Notwithstanding the double defeat of yes
terday there was a bright hue to the Ma
tonals' rainbow in the development of
Pitcher Walter Johnson. 1t Is not often
that manager is able to corral such a
strong group of players as Cantillon has
done this season in Ganley. Delehanty.
Clymer. Shipke, Gehring and Johnson, and
from present indications the greatest Of the
bunch is the big lad from the wilds of Ida
no. The other players named are excep-
tionally clever, but Johnson gives evidence
of being a ''phenom,'' and they bloom only
once In ten years. In yesterdays game
johnson faced an aggregation of the most
aggressive players now playing ball. and
every enort was made to get him ratified
but he kept on his way as II he was play
Ing In his home league. But one adverse
Is his fielding. Being a big man. he Is nat
urally slow on his feet. but he Is so very
young that he can easily overcome this de-
feet and be flrst-class man in every de-
partment. 1t may be that johnson was
backward yesterday in going after the ball
for fear Of interfering with the other play
ers. and after he gets better acquainted
he will go still better.
Johnson's physique and easy swing should
keep him In the pitching business for at
least fifteen years, as there Is nothing in
nus ms delivery to wear him out. This opinion
was expressed by George Mullin, Bill
Coughlin and Bill Donovan last night at the
Arlington Hotel. and all three are good
judges. johnson Is modest lad and, being
willing to take advice from Manager Can
ttllon. there Is splendid chance of a great
player being developed. both at the bat and
IN nelding. Nothing need be taught him in
the pitching line, as all he needs Is ex-
perience.
Not a clean hit was made off Johnson
yesterday until the fifth inning. when
Charley OLeary slammed a line single into
center. IN the sixth inning. Johnson laid
down what appeared to be a perfect bunt
toward first. but he got away so Quickly
from the plate that he ran into the bali
and was called out. That he can bunt ia
another thing in his favor, as we have sew
eraI men on the local team who can't do
even that. In the seventh inning there
were hungry Tigers second and third.
with two out. and every effort was made to
send Johnson into the air. but he refused
to take the journey. Instead, he put on
more steam and struck out Siever to the
mighty shouts of the multitude Manager
Cantilon and the Washington club are to
be congratulated upon signing Johnson. as
they have practically picked up a jewel,
worth at least $4,000. and only for the
trouble of going after him. Incidentally, 1t
might be remarked that Cliff Blankenshlp
said the Idaho Kid was all right, and the
clever catcher knew what he was talking
about
And still the new men come. Manager
Cantillon made arrangements with the
manager of the Galveston team yesterday.
whereby he bought Catcher James Block.
who has been playing with the Texas club
this season. Block worked with Cantillon
last season in Milwaukee, and Joe knows
him thoroughly. With Warner hurt
Blankenship on the injured list, and Hey
don suffering from too much work. Man
ager cantiilon had to do something in the
way Of getting catcher. and Block was
his selection. He worked against the Ma
tionals this spring at Galveston during the
practice trip. and attracted attention by
- ...I l. h@I
OF Blocks playing is that he can serve in
any position. and do 1t we'll He Is a fairly
good pitcher. and Is not at all bad in the
outfield or around the bases Block left
Galveston last evening. and Manager Can
tillon says he should be here by Monday.
In the meantime should Heydon get In
jured. Biankenshfp says he will take try
at the game. even II he has to do 1t with
| stiff finger. That's the sort Of boys Cantil-
ion collects.
The desertion Of the Nationals yesterday
by big John Anderson was simply piece
OF spite work and puts the Swede out of
the game in anything but good light He
had been limiting at leaving the team for
some time. but like man should. he never
went to Manager Cantf1lon and told him.
80 as to protect the club Instead he waited
until Charley Hickman had left with the
Chicagos and then sneaks of. leaving the
team in bad shape. as at present there is
no extra infielder on hand. Delehanty
Mil will do at second. but injuries are liable
to occur and then who?
Anderson gave as his only reason for leav-
ing that he was tired OF base ball and was
going into business at his home in Worces-
ter. For the big Swede's sake II Is lucky
that he has decided to quit playing ball. as
1t goes without saying that he will have
merry old time getting back into organized
base ball again. 1t Is bad enough to desert
a ball team in prosperous times and when
everything is going along smoothly. but to
sneak out at time when the club Is in
dire straits Is a capital offense IN organized
base ball. and the chances are that Ander-
| son can never play again even II he should
want to.
Big Andy has been something of a favor
| lite here account OF his quiet manner
and apparent effort to do his best. He was
not a first-c.ass ball player on account Of
his SLOW thinking" but he could WALTON
| the ball at times and this kept him in the
game. Not being the sort of player that
Cantillon cares for. he was to have been
l let out next fall either in a trade or sale