The Washington herald., 1909-04-13
STANDING OF THE TEAMS.

Nationals, Z; New York. /
It was Charley Smiths sturdy rizht
arm that paved the way for victory in
the opening baseball hattie OF the lss
season yesterday.
More than l5.000 fans crowded through
the gates. packing the park TO the gun
wales and cheering wildly during the
twO-hour melee.
The Yankees never had a Iook-in for
the game Big chief StaHings presented
the veteran. DOC" Newton. as his first
slabman- Doe lasted four innings and
was relieved By Brockett.
Charley smith was the dark horse. and
10 Charley goes the credit Of winning
the game Just four scattered. measly
hits die the visitors CLEAN OF his delivery.
while ne whiRed ten on strikes and al
lowed only two passes.
Eight Hits for Nationals.
While The Yanks were WORKING over
time % aElass that count OF foar hits snf
one run, the Nationals connected safelv
tust twice that number of times Throw
IL set Of three errors. made at crucial
moments, and you have the W-oie story
Of how the revaccinated New Workers
went down 20 defeat. while owner Frank
Farrell locked on from a box which had
been reserved for President Taft.
IN addition 10 Smiths great pitching.
there was one sensational play that made
the big crowd fairly hold its breath and
gasD. "a catch by Left Fielder Engle. OF
the visitors. who dashed az fun speed
after a slyscraper from Streets bat.
leaped into the air. and speared the ball
with his gIoved hand. at the same time
turning complete somersault over
row Of spectators and dropping out OF
sight into the crowd. as II the earth had
opened Up and swallowed him
Bat music on the loud pedal order. cou-
pied with the mlscues .by. the Yanks. vi--
tCslly won tie game for the Nationals.
Three runs crossed the place in the open
ing chapter, when this happened. and
New York was never afterwa-d danger
Gus
Comparison OF Clubs.
Now for a comparison OF the two clubs
as they stand to-day CantilIon's crew
certainly shows more class. better
both at the bat and in the field Even
with the great first baseman. Hal Chase.
In the game, Manager Stallings VIII have
10 show US something better than he
haunted before our eyes yesterday after
noon.
Every body knew thar Bill Burns and
Tom Hughes were able TO make il tough
shedding for any club in the circuit. but
somehow or othe- nobody this spring
has paid much attention 70 Charley
Smith. who last year had nothing but
lame arm and a bunch OF defeats stacked
up against him. and that CantiH0n knew
what he was dong when he ordered
Smith on the mound for the opener IS
proven beyond doubt Smith s
Iameness has disappeared. and his curves
were breaking beautifully. while his con
troll was almost perfect
Stallngs rOtted out Doe Newton,
who had his troubles right or the reel.
The southpaw was relieved by Brockett.
who did a pretty good Job choking or
further scoring. but pulling out Of sew
7-Gf l-- holes
AS predicted by the writer. Bob In
s-aub is going 20 play in the outfeId. His
hitting gives him a permanent place on
the club Yesterday he looked after left
field. Milan played center and Clymer
right Capt Ganiey did not get into the
game probably because he Is not az his
best against a left-hand finger.
Crowd Welcomes the Team-
The immense crowd gave the boys the
warmest welcome they could possibly de-
sire. everybody was cheered 70 the echo.
and when the squad walked across the
field from she clubhouse the music OF
both bands was drowned BY the roar
from grand stand and bleachers.
Wee" Willie Keller and KID EIbe-feld
were che cynosure OF all eyes. The vet
erans showed that they have not gone
back in form. Keeier kept two runners
hugging second. fearing 70 take a chance
in beating out his lightning throws. The
Tobasco Kid was Just as full OF pepper
as ever. fielding his position at third fault
lessiy and getting to Smith for two clear
hits
That the presence OF Wild Conroy On
the third corner has bolste-ed I'd the Na-
tions . per cent nobody doubts who
had the privilege OF Witnessing the game.
Cor-ov uo<ed crr two hitS -nE e~~s,s.s