The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-04-12
BATTLE OF CRIPPLES
is OPENING PROMISE
By THOMAS S. RICE.

This is the day we celebrate.
This is the day when ancient enemies
forget their discord. while slapping each
other on the back because Of a timely
triple. and II Is the day when the hard
est hearted boss will accept any old ex-
cuse for letting an employe of for the
afternoon
There should be a double celebration
IN Washington this afternoon, for the
opening game of the season, which
starts with New York at s:8 D. m,
viii mark the appearance on the field
of the first really promising team Wash
tngton has had for many seasons. We
have seen many a collection OF misfits
litter up the diamond and outfeld with
displays of incompetence. and have ap-
plauded and paid our admissions cheer
fully, juEt on general principles.
But the year of grace 1909 will see
Washington with an aggregation that
only an extra session of the evil fates
or bad management could keep from
making a good showing. The men all
realize this and have something to play
1or- That makes a difference. When
you know you are a helpless tailender
you are bound to become Indifferent
but when you realize you have the ma
teTial 10 break into the first division,
=
more money, then you are equally bound
TO do a lot Of extra hustlng.
Times Works Reform.
The fans this yaar will have an
especial reason to rejoice, and they
Will have TO thank ThS Washington
Times This boon viii be in the nature
Of a scoreboard on the fence which viii
enable the patrons OF the park to tell
who is playing and keep them from
roofing their heads Off for a popular
favorite who may be at home or in a
hospital Jim Saffel. who has been in
charge OF the teiegraphers In Ire press
box ever since Hector was a pup. is
scheduled to control the scorebosrd.
The Capital talent Will appear in nice
new ai-home clothes, which have been
described before, but have not hitherto
neen placed on exhibition. Should they
come up 70 the travelling suits they will
be all right. Those toys the men use
when visiting are the real goods. They
consist Of blue trousers and shirts. with
dainty stripe up the side of said
trousers. blue caps, strealIed with blue
ana solid gray stockings instead of the
lalnboW efIects so popular with teams
less affected by the aesthetic movement.
Concerning the probable lineup this
afternoon there is not much that can be
said, because Of the illness Of such able
athletes as Walter Johnson, Charley
Street. George Mcbride, and Others.
that Charley Smith will pitch III Doc
Newton pitches for New York il is
almost cincn that Blankenship Will
catch, for Blank has been demolishing
me soutnpaws with great vOracity on
the Arctic circuit. The presence of
Newton in the box will also mean the
injection of -Unglaub into right or center
reid In order that his wagon tongue
may be a factor in the game.
Mcbride will try 70 play. although he
e still much under the weather and
looks Ike he had lost his last friend
should be not be able 10 make II. Dele
manly or Conroy will play short. with
tngiaub possibly on second. and Shipke
on third " Conroy is moved to some
other job.
Charley Street caught a severe cold