The Washington herald., 1909-04-21
By WILLIAM PEET.

At midnight last night. Manager Joe
Cantlllon and the Nationals boarded the
Pennsylvania Railroad sleeper Cor New
York, where the Washington club IS
booked TO open the season with the High
landers on the Gotham grounds.
Il am going 70 pitch Charley Smith,
said Manager Joe to the writer. last
night smith is going good. and had
no trouble in beating the Yankees here
in the opening game last week I figure
that he can prove just as effective to-
morrow. Il Smith pitches air-tight base
ball and Our men get busy with the
stick. we viii win the first game
Cantllon expects to win at least two
out Of the four games against New York
in the big city. He figures on Smith to
land the opener and Walter Johnson TO
get away with the other
The fact that Johnson has so far re-
covered as 10 be considered ready TO
work by Manager Joe is certainly good
news to the fans, and our Walter viii
sure be or the firing line against New
York Johnson has practically recovered
from his recent illness. and is anxious
TO take his turn in the box. He may not
be in the best OF shape. but nevertheless
II things break right for Washington the
Highlanders will ind it hard picking, and
q little juGiciOus bat music by the Ma
tionals at the right time will win out.
Every member OF the Washington
team left for New York last night,
with the exception OF Tannehiu, Burns.
Gray. and Kahoe, and by the way the
boys talked yesterday afternoon there
VIII be something doing all right. as
CautillOn's crew is determined 10 get
going. 10 show the good people OF
Washington that they are entitled 10 a
berth in the first division, and viii
give a good account Of themselves be
fore returning home next week for
a series here with the Philadelphia
Athletics.
The game al National Park yester-
day afternoon against Boston was call
ed OF until later date, on account OF
the threatening weather, as the man
behind the gun gave out a bulletin
that old Jupiter PluviUs was ripe %
put the kibosh on all attempts at base
ball II was lucky. too. that the game
was called OF. as II rained great guns
during the middle of the afternoon.
The Boston squad pulled out Of town
on the $50 train. 10 be on hand for
the opening game Of the American
League season in the Hub t7-day.
The question was put up squarely 20
Ca1tillOn by the writer last night as
20 whether he intended 10 use Groom
and Gray right along. regardless Of the
showing they have thus far made
which. 10 be perfectly frank, has not
been all the fans might wish CantiI-
Ion said. ! still have a lot Of con
/ fdence in both OF these pitchers. and
intend 20 give them every chance IN
the world 10 make good. The Wash
ington club paid a whole lot OF mon
ev for both Of these fellows. and their
LasI performances shaw that they are
worth more than a passing glance.
What about Bert Keeley2 Are you go
/ Ing TO keep him during the present
season." Manager Cantillon was asked
last night Joe hesitated a minute an6
replied: For the present Kelley will bt
carried by the Washington club. We could
not dispose Of him now II We wanted TO
for the reason that If would be impossible
10 secure waivers on him Kelley is &
Z fair pitcher, but not in a class Wit
J Burns, Hughes. and Johnson Keeley's
| future. as Ear as the Washington club Il
I concerned. Is uncertain
A dispatch from New York regarding
/ the game against the Nationals to-da.
reads as follows;
New York. April 29.-The cold weather
and rain storm that spread over the Wes
Yesterday hit the East to-day. and every
( baseball game but one in the country haC
Z 10 be postponed This VIII give the Giant!
/ a double holiday. as tomorrow is day
/ of in the schedule. As a consequence
/ the Highlanders have maghifcen
! chance for the most successful Openinl
( Of their career. Brooklyn ard tn,
/ Giants viii both be az rest, and all o.
{ the PLAYERS wiz go 10 the American
/ League Park 10 see the Hi Toppers ge
a good start.
"One OF the largest spring crowds i
the history OF the American League
/ expected. There is a deep sympathy 10
! tie HiShIand4Ts over the misfortune
/ that have beset them this spring an
( that have excited the admiration OF tn
entire baseball circuit by their gam
fight. which has won for them fou
| games out Of six
! Immediately upon notice that IN
game had been postponed at Philadel
pllia. the Highlanders left for New York
1 and the players are in their homes 10
/ night StalIings was rather pleased q
! this opportunity for the Highlanders :
I l,.,-a q GOOD nights rest as he want
them 10 make good showing agains
| Washington tomorrow
The one man on whom ali the fans vi
/ look with interest is Elb1erfed- When h
/ said some time ago that he was goin
! to give New York. the best article o
ball that he is capable Of turning out. h
/ evidently meant it. Before leaving pills
delphia to-day. several of the Athletic
! we're around. and they al agreed tha
/ the Kid was playing stronger game q
] sre Oh. ~