The Washington herald., 1909-06-14
srANpING on rHE rEAMs.
By WILLIAM PEET.

By WILLIAM PEET.
Il made a little bet way back last
spring that Washington would finish IN
fifth place or better" said Ty Cobb. Of
the Detroit Tigers. TO the writer last
night "and expect 70 win the money.
for you can't tell me that this team
which has beaten US two games IN success
sion Is a tail-ender-I can't see IT,"
Cobb thinks that the Nationals pitch
Ing staR is about the best doing business
Iu the American League, why. that
man Groom who worked against US Sat
urday looks better TO me than Gray, and
everybody knows we couldn't hit Gray
IN Detroit" he added.
Tyrus up TO date is IN the same boat
with Larry Lajoie. for in two games
played here so far this season. he has
failed 70 get a hit, and a pitcher must
nave something 10 fool these fellows.
They tell me that Walter johnson has
not been doing well IN the early games. "
said Cobb. II think Canullon made a
mistake In working him so often during
The training trip"
Il viii be remembered that Washington
and Detroit played a series Of games
down in San Antonio Tex, last March
hem which extended into extra innings.
That the Washington club owners and
Manager Cantillon are not asleep was
disclosed last night, when It was learned
that Mike Kahoe. the veteran catcher. is
at present on a scouting trip down South
looking over the young players and their
records. Kahoe Is said 70 be a good judge
Of baseball talent and may by this time
nave uncorked a few phenoms. Who
knows?
George Mullin was able to be out and
around the hotel lobby last night. but is
stiH feeling a little weak and shaky from
his attack Of ptomaine poisoning.
Mullin has been advised not 10 attempt
10 pitch against the locals either to-mor-
row or on Tuesday, but says he will be
ready for work Tuesday II Jennings needs
aim.
What a great battle for the fans-George
Mullin for the Tigers and Walter John
son for Washington. The great MuIlin.
with eleven straight victories 10 his
credit. may find the Nationals the same
kind Of a stumbling block that Cy Young
did. Washington has always been able TO
hit 1Iullin, and as this is the greatest
baseball town in the world for pulling of
the unexpected. MuIlin should think II
over before going into the box.
Just as soon as Mike Kahoe returns
there is going TO be a foot race between
"Gabby" Street and the veteran catcher.
with a wee side bet just 10 make things
interesting AS a preliminary 10 this
event. Tom Hughes and Charley Smith.
Of the pitching staff. are going 10 see
who is the best man.
It seems that somebody made the crack
q few days ago that Street could not
touch Kahoe when it came to running. and
Gabby got his back up al once, agree
ing to show his team mates that Nike
is nothing but a bush Lacquer at the
running game
The general opinion prevails that Kahoe
is the fastest man, while the race between
Hughes and Smith should be nip and
tuck. odds favoring Smith, if the track
is fast and weather good
In the future Joe dantIllon will spend
most OF his time during games on the
bench instead Of the coaching lines. as
heretofore. With Capt. Donohue on the
job with encouraging shouts 20 base-run-
ners and hitters. Cantillon proposes e
direct the men what 70 do as they leave
the bench to bat. which would be i'm
possible from the coaching lines. To be
sure, signals can be given from tn,
coacher's position, but frequently they
are misunderstood. and in many cases
a shift all round is desired, and In
structions should come from the manager
on the bench.
Jesse Tannehill always has good story
tucked up his sleeve He was an interest.
ed spectator at the Press Club ball game
yesterday afternoon. and, during a fan
ming bee at the club after the game
said: I had an interesting experience
one time with Muggsy McGraw. It was
back in 1902. when he was in charge oi
the Baltimore club and I was a semi
pro pitcher in Pitts5urg. The Pirates
gave me a show with them against Balti-
more during the first game of the series
and won my game. Baltimore got some
thing like fifteen hits. but I caught sever
men at first and Pittsburg pulled OF
four OF five double plays.
After the contest McGraw came to me
ard said: I would Ike TO sign you foI
my club. What do you say?' -
Tannehill said he was a little sur
prised because the Orioles hit him pretty
hard. and his reply TO Bluggsy was:
What makes you think you want me,
Surely not on account OF my exhibition
to-day. The reply came back like g
fash: Hang the exhibition. I need
pitchers who can win games %
It is expected that Manages. Cantflor
viii pitch Dolly Gray against the
Tigers to-day. while little Suggs 4,
slated to work for Detroit. Games starts
at 4,3O o'clock