The Washington herald., 1908-04-12
MUST HAVE REAL CONTESTS
After the CIub Has swung Around
the Circuit It VIII be Possible to
Get Line on the Ability OF Re
cruits Who Have Displaced the
Yeterans-0pen at Boston Tuesday.
WHERE THE CLUBS OPEN.
Washington at Boston.
Philadelphia at New York.
Detroit at Chicago.
st. Louis at Cleveland.

| 1he eyes and thoughts Of Washington
fans are turned toward Boston, where on
Tuesday. the Nationals enter upon an
other championship seasons by playing
/ their opening game with the Boston PHI
grims
For years Washington has been one
OF the meek and lowly in baseball. So
accustomed have followers of the teams
become to seeing their favorites beaten
that many refuse 10 see any hope. and
are even predicting that the Nationals
this year will do no better than last sea-
son. when the club was in the ruck prac-
tieally throughout the year.
The more optimistic fans are declaring
that while Washington will not be a
big factor SO far as the actual race for
the pennant is concerned. the club viii
prove one Of the biggest surprises of the
season. They argue that Cantillon has
disposed of all of the useless veterans who
were drawing their salaries on past repu-
tations, and in their places has gotten
promising young material thereby max
ing a weli-balanced team.
Strength of Team Unknown.
In fairness to all concerned 1t must be
said there is absolutely no way to gauge
at the present time the probable strength
Of the squad gathered together by Cantil-
Ion. and the question of whether the
team is to remain on rock bottom or
get up In the race WILL remain unanswered
until the players have been around the
circuit and matched against major league
teams in real games
No set of magnates ever made a more
earnest effort 10 get together a winning
team than the men who are at present
interested in the Nationals. Joe Cantillon
is drawing one of the largest salaries
paid any manager IN the American
League. and he has been given free rein
and free purse. That the manager is
making every possible endeavor 10 land
players was shown last year. when he
signed no less than fifty-eight men.
The loss of exhibition games should
not be a cause for worry. Exbibition
games are wholly and solely for the pur-
pose of practice, and whatever advantage
the majors may have against the minors
IN the early spring is offset when a
manager uses three or four different
pitchers, tries out an entirely new system
OF signals, and makes other changes that
cannot but weaken his team. The Ne
uonals have not made a clean record on
the trip from Galveston. but neither have
other American and National League
clu5s; IN fact nearly all or the sixteen
teams have met defeat at the hands of
comparatively Insignificant opponents.
Pitchers Are Strong.
Judging from distance, the pitching
stan looks fairly reliable Case Patten
Charley Smith, Tom Hughes. Walter
Johnson. Bill Burns. and probably Eli
Gates will be the men 10 do the brunt
of the twirling. In past years Smith has
been slow to round into top form. but
his work thus far would Indicate that
he is already primed As was announced
IN these columns last week. Walter john
son viii hardly be able 70 repor, until
the latter part Of May.
Unfortunately for himself and the club
Jerry Freeman reported at Galveston
many pounds overweight, and has not VET
struck the stride which made him famous
over the American Association circuit
last year If there is one OF the new
members Of the club in whom Cantillon
has implicit confidence, tt Is Freeman
Competent judges have pronounced him
the best first baseman in the American
Association since Jiggs Donahue. and If
this IS true he should have no trouble in
hliing the gap at first base that has
existed since Jake Stahl left.
Jim Delehanty is too well known to need
any comment. As an all-round infielder
he is one Of the best in the big league.
and should do as well during the coming
campaign As he did after joining the club
last season.
Mcbride Great Fielder.
George Mcbride. at short is a veteran
whose fielding has made him famous. al
though he was never a great hitter. He
has beer, hitting the ball at a good .clip
in the South. and has continued to do
meritorious stunts in the field.
Pending Altizer's recovery. Bill Shipke
will play third base. In fielding, Shipke
has not a superior in the business. but
he has been several points shy at the
bat. although he showed a decided Inn
provement in this department when he
was assigned a regular position last Sep
tember.
GanIey, Pickering, and Clymer are ell
good outhelders. both from the point of
view OF fielding. hitting, running the
bases, and getting runs
The catching will be done by Street.
Warner, and Kahoe. Street made a great
record in the Pacific Coast League, and
looks promising. while Warner and Ka-
hoe are invaluable as coaches for
pitchers.
After opening At Boston, the Nationals
viii go 20 New York and will return to
open the home season on April q.