New-York tribune., 1910-04-21
SUPERBAS BEGIN BADLY
Fail to Win Before a Host of
Loyal Followers.

After tuo postponennents, the Brooklyn
fans" turned cut coooo strong fer the
opening Of the baseball season across the
bridge, but try as they would the Superbas
failed TO send their loyal followers home
stimulated and hopeful by going down in
defeat before Philadelphia by a score OF
10 2. Nap Rucker. the bright particu-
lar star Of the pitching staff. was partly TO
blame, while the slippery diamond, which
was particularly soft between second and
third base, played q part also. two runs
being directly trsceabie 10 the inability of
the ielders TO held their feet.
Eight hits were made of Fuckers deliv-
ery in the four innings he pitched. two Of
which were punched with three bases on
balls in the fatal fourth. Bell. who sue
ceeded him, did far better, holding the
Phillies 10 two hits and one run. McQuil-
Ian, who was in the box for Philadelphia
was at his best and so puzzled the Su-
perbas with HIS elusive curves that five hits
was the sum total Of their efforts with the
bat
Needless 20 say, standing room was at a
premium, and the stands were packed and
jamned with a wildly enthusiastic crowd
For two days the fans" had been turned
away In disappointment. but they would
not be denied the fun OF being on hand for
the opening of the season. and came back
IN full force yesterday.
Things went badly from the start. After
the two teams had marched proudly across
the field, headed by shannon's 23d Regi-
ment hand. the Superbas making a gal
liant showing IN their new white uni
forms. the players took hold of the long
~r~,e k.Nf- .ko a.
of the haepole. Unfortunately the flag
never reached its place. The men were too
strong or the rope was too light, and as
the crowd stood Up cheering IN patriotic
fervor. something gave way and the flag
came fiuttering 20 the ground. It never
was raised either. as It was impossible TO
fix the halyard. and the bad omen was not
accepted in good part by the crowd.
Bill Dahlen, the new manager of the
team, came in for his share OF attention
Two floral horseshoes and a travelling bag
were presented to him as e token OF good
will The horeshoes may bring luck later
but they had a bad effect yesterday. Jack
litsch. the Philadelphia catcher. who lives
in Brooklyn, was not forgotten by his
friends. and after Dahlen had bowed his
thanks. a diamond pin and some flowers
forced Jacklitsch 10 doff his cap. To wind
up the formslities. former Sherry Buttlins
tossed out the first ball and the game
was on.
The visitors scored one run IN the fret
inning. Grant singled and raced all the
way TO third, when Mcmillan slipped In
trying 10 get Bergen's throw 90 catch him
stealing. He scored moment later on Nc
Gees safe drive 20 centre. They got one
more in the third on safe hits by Bates and
Blansheld, and a long sacrifice Ny by Nc
Gee. which Burch pulled down I'D against
the fence in deep centre field. Bransield's
fly, which counted as a hit would have
been easy for Daubert IL he had not slipped.
The chief trouble came in the fourth
inning. however, when Rucker was driven
from the box in disgrace. The big left
handler could not locate the plate and filled
the bases with free passes. with only one
out He frightened UP for a moment and
struck out Titus. but Bate. came along
With a slashing two-ba gger that almost
Knocked panel out of the fence scoring
knabe and Jackltsch. Grant followed with
a single. scoring McQuillan. but Bates was
caught at the plate trying 90 get home on
the play.
The SupeTbas scored one run in the ser
ond inning on q two-bagger by Smith and
a clean single by Mcmillan. and they made
a final and desperate rally in the ninth
inning. but only one run resulted