New-York tribune., 1909-04-14

n the weather gods are kind the Giants and the
Superbas Kill formally open the National League
baseball season AT the Polo Grounds this afternoon
Richard Croker. the one time TaIrrnany chlefta1n
will toss out the first ball o'clock and follow
ing that the men will take the field in the long
fight for the pennant which eight clubs are claim
ing outright hoping 10 win. Under favorable
conditions the new Polo Grounds. with seating
capacitv Of more than thirty thousand persons. will
be none too large TO accommodate the fans who
are anxious the opening battle The Giants
wonderfully popular al this time, thanks party
70 their stubborn fight a year ago. when they lost
the pennant 10 Chicago by q single game, and the
friends OF the not only willing but anxious
20 turn for the purpose Of giving them an en-
tnusiastic "send-on
John J McC5ra7r manager Of the Giants. had not
decided last night whom he would send 70 the
box for the opening game. He is anxious TO save
Nattv while the weather is so cold. and from What
little he said il looks II Raymond who came
from ST Louis OF Leon Aules who is noted as
cold weather pitcher VIII be sent In 10 defeat
Brooklyn If such thing is possible Schlei will
be behind the bat Tenney, Doyle. Bridweu and
DevIin viii make up the inheld. while Murray,
o'Hsra. and Herzog will take care Of the outer
works
The Giants are in fine condition physically, and
quite ready, so far as can be judged, 10 win their
fun share OF games in the early part Of the season
The team is remarkably strong in the box with
Mathewson. An1es Wiltse. Marquard. CrandaH and
two three others to draw on The inheld is
tried and true end the new oUtfeld appears TO be
fast and reasonably -teady. There seems 10 be a
scarcity Of 800 hitters II viii be time enough
10 worry about that when the season is further
advanced The Superbas are ready, TOO. and filed
with determination fight their way into the first
division this year. the opening clash to-day is
likely 10 be well worth seeing.
AS final warming up practice the Giants played
game with Pop Anson's Colts az the Polo
Grounds yesterday. and won by q score Of TO !.
The regulars played five innings, and in that time
scored six runs After that they were dismissed
for the day and hurried off the clubhouse while
the colts, with veterans Of other years.
finished out the game.
Pop Anson, who in his day was looked upon
one of the greatest Of all ball players. has grown
rotund in figure and sow-on his feet. but played
first base with all the enthusiasm OF a youngster.
ana TO his credit be It said, has gathered about
him team which plays good baseball The Giants
may not have been working at top speed but
they were unable TO take any liberties with the
visiting team
Fred Tenney. who. il is rumored will captain
the Giants this year, more or less respon-
s1oe for the four runs scored by New York
the third inning With the bases full. Tenney
drove slashing liner through shortstop. and the
ball did not stop rolling until il hit the fence in
deep left field BY the time it had been relayed
lack 10 the plate Tenney had followed three other
runners home. The crowd such as II was ap-
plau1ed the popular first baseman for stirring up
q game that 10 that time had rather dull
and listless.
Tenney's drive was about the only feature Of the
game worth recording. Crandal and Waller who
CID the pitching for the Giants. did not shine par
ucElarly, although both pitched fair bail. Anson's
Colts made ten hits. however, eight for the
Giants. but they did come when they counted
for much end were TOO scsJtered TO be effective
When the regulars retired the critics had a
chance TO see Shafer Fletcher Devore and Two
or three other youn ysters who have shown well
IL practice this spring in action for the first time
puI none oI them hao enough 90 20 furnish aD1
true line on their ability Dan Brouthers a great
hitter IN his day played first base when Tenney
reflreds and made quite hit with his old friends
while Wilbert Robinson. who was engaged 70 coacn
the young pitchers and aid McGraw IN whipping
the team into condition, caught the whole game
and played his part we'll
Pop Anson. 20 his great chagrin. struck out
me first time he faced Crandali. but when his turn
came again he drove the ball far afeld and lum-
heTec around 70 second base. He scored ZOO or
rather the man he called to finish out the cir
cult for him did This happened the fourth in
ning and vas the only run scored by the visitors
ne game furnished the last scene for the curtain
raiser, and now the tine has come for real IA Sc
ball or al least baseball that will count in settling
the ownership Of a coveted piece Of bunting
The score Of yesterdays game follows.