The Washington herald., 1909-04-08
By WILLIAM PEET.

By WILLIAM PEET.
The advance guard OF the Nationals,
Tom Hughes. Clyde Milan. Wild Conroy.
Bill Burns. Bob Unglaub. and Walter
johnson. reached Washington at 4 o'clock
yesterday afternoon, coming direct from
Cincinnati
Gee. but I'm glad 10 get home again"
said Hughes last night Me. too,
chimed in Bill Burns, while Walter John
son admitted that Washington looked
mighty good TO him. but wanted 20 keep
under cover until he could get rid Of
severe cold, which threatened TO choke
up his breathing apparatus
Johnson and Burns are rooming at the
Regent. and Burns has appointed him
self committee OF one 10 nurse the big
pitcher until he is able 10 crawl out or
the hay. President Noyes. OF the Wash
ington -club. when told OF Johnson's III
ness, insisted on physician calling at
once, and from the doctor IL was learned
that Walter has a mild attack Of brOn-
chitis and some fever. but that a few
days rest would be all that was neces-
sary TO bring him around.
Before leaving Cincinnati on Tuesday
night Manager Cantillon told Tom Hughes
TO take charge Of the men sent % Wash
ington and see that practice was held
daily. so at - o'clock to-day the players.
with the exception OF johnson and ing
laub. will don togs and work out at
American League Park.
time. leaving for Baltimore 10 see his
wife and child. Il is doubtful II he will
/ show up before Monday. Unglaub looked
the perfect picture OF health, as did the
others, with the exception OF Johnson.
and his illness will be OF short duration.
7 guess we have not got some team
here" declared Tom Hughes. You can
say for me that / believe things will
break better for Us than was the case
early last year. We are going 10 get a
good start. and before the season is over
Washington win be heard from
Tom IS more than enthusiastic he de-
clares that Wild Conroy is just the man
for third base; that COnroy's hitting and
base running will 20 a long way toward
winning a lot OF games. In speaking OF
the new pitchers. Gray and Groom. the
veteran says: Those fellows have got
everything. Take it from me. they viii
make good.
Tells of Gray and Groom.
Asked why Groom and Gray have not
made Il better showing during the pre-
/ liminary games. Hughes added: You
see they had only just finished a long
season with the Pacific Coast League.
and, IN my opinion. had not been given
a long enough rest. You know they play
ball a month or 50 longer out on the
Coast than we do here.
"Cantillon knows this. too. and I doubt
II he will work them very much until
the season gets further advanced
Asked regarding the report that Out
fielder Cree. Of the New York Highland
ers. would join the Nationals. Hughes re-
piled, It's news 10 me, and 1 don't be
leYe there Is anything in IL. our Outheld
is complete with Milan. Ganley and ely
mer-
Jim Delehsnty joined the boys al Gin
cinnat Wednesday. and while I don I
know anything about 81. I rather imagine
he has come TO terms with CantllOn. and
is perfectly satisfied. for when he showed
up he was all smiles and seemed tickled
10 death 10 be with the club again"
Mlan's lame ankle is almost well, and
he believes that. barring further acci-
dents he will play better ball than ne
ever did in his life. Wild Conroy is also
enthusiastic over the Nationals pros
poets, and AYERS that the club. as il
stands to-day. is slated for almost a
first division berth.
The Opening Day Lineup
Now for a little dope on the lineup for
the opening game. Unless Walter John
son is right, it is doubtful If he viii be
called upon TO pitch the opening game
against New York here Monday, in which
! case either Bill Burns or Tom Hughes
will be called upon to toe the slab.
/ II also looks very much as If Jerry
freeman will be called upon 10 cover frs,
base. Hughes says Jerry is faster and
hitting the ball much harder than he did
last season If this is the case. Unglaub
will warm the bench for a while.
According 10 present plans, the re-
mainder of the Nationals will not reach
Washington until o'clock Monday morn
ing as game IS scheduled in Columbus.
Ohio. for Sunday.
The players IN town stated that for the
mCst part the weather had been horribly
cold and disagreeable down South. but
Notwithstanding all this the workout did
them lot Of good.