The Washington times., 1909-08-16
Satisfied Athletics Are Des-
tined to Land the
Pennant.
ALL HIS ATHLETES
ARE IN TOP SHAPE
Shrewd Manager Says Present Tour
Will Be Most Severe
Test of Season.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

'sThe series which opens today with
Washington marks the beginning Of TIE
most severe test Of the season for our
team, but If We can make any sort of d
respectable showing from now until La
Dor Day. the pennant should be ours
That is the way Connie Mack. mana
ger Of the Philadelphia Athletics, sizes
up the chances Of his team TO win the
championship Of one of the hardest
fought campaigns in the annals OF the
American League.
Accompanied by twenty players. all in
top shape and confident that they will
be able 20 soon shake of Detroit, Mack
arrived at the Arlington about noon to-
day
You know. it was only a couple OF
weeks ago that Detroit had an appar-
emily unbeatable lead on us. but we
have been coming steadily, and are now
in good trim 10 commence our final
swing around the circuit.
THE loss OF poor Dos Powers, early
IN the season, was a bitter blow, but
the team has rallied and prepared to
make a hnal rush"
Mack was not decided, when seen, just
who viii pitch, but said that it would
probably be Harry Krause or Eddie
Plank. while CantillOn Is figuring upon
using Walter Johnson and Charley
Street
II developed yesterday that "Jigger''
Donohue was more badly hurt on Sat
urday than was at first thought His
ankle is severely strained. and It is not
unlikely that he may be forced to re-.
main idle for a month.
As a pinch hitter Donohue has lately
developed into one OF the most reliable
members of the club so his loss VIII be
especially felt. However, Bob Unglaub.
who was indisposed Saturday, has
rounded 10 and Is in shape to get into
the game this afternoon.
The game today wiz be called at 4
clock The management is now salts
has helped rather than hurt the at
tendance, so all remaining games viii
be called at 4.
All of the officials Of the club who
are n town today are mum on the
managerial question.
President Tom Noyes has. left for
long automobile tour through the New
England States, so one of the best
sources Of news has been temporarily
removed Until the return Of the execu-
tive II is decidedly doubtful that any
thing definite will be given out as TO
the future plans Of the owners
Harry Davis came over with the Ath-
letics. but he is reluctant 10 discuss the
stories that have linked his name with
the Nationals.
The Philadelphia Evening Times had
the following to say about one Of the
disappointed managers Of the American
League:
American League fans who have seen
Jim McAleer steering the St Louis
Browns into this harbor and out OF it,
since 1902 are having probably their last
opportunity to see the Old hero OF the
game al the head OF a Grub.
"For twenty-siX years lie has been in
the game and he has reached the point
that comes to all veterans sooner or
later-he is on the verge Of dropping
out The ending Of his career is made
even sadder than endlngs usually are
because Il is linked with the greatest
appOintment OF his life
''McAleer was sure when the season
started that he had a MISUNDERSTANDING
cOmbination-the biggest hope of his
life. And the Browns are In seventh
place, with the season twO-thirds over,
ana no indication Of betternent OF
the standing.
Jim AGcAleer was once a boy wonder.
He looks back today on a history of sue
cess and one big disappointment AS a
player ne was up with the greatest or
them. AS a manager he brought his
team once within one place of the lead
~ the end Of the season. but this year,
when his hope of turning out a winner
was the strongest he ever felt. his heart
holds the heaviest load Of disappoint-
ment IL has been called on TO bear since
Ee n ne