Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-21
BY j. ED. GR1LLO.

ines of recent wears Eight games have
been PLAYED with these teams. five of
which have been victories, two defeats
and one tie game. showing of which
even a first-division aggregation might
we'll be proud.
The wonderful improvement in this
teams showing over what 1t was prior TO
the invasion of the western teams can be
directly attributed to the good work OF
the pitchers, every one OF Whom mas
shown such form as was expected OF
them long before the season opened. When
il was not thought unlikely that there
was a chance for the Nationals To nnlsh
al the top of the second division
These hopes may yet be realized, Tor IL
is easily to be seen that at least two OF
the western teams, Chicago and ST. Louis,
are clearly outclassed by Washington,
and some of the others do not look as II
they had much on McAleer's men,
The general work of the team has been
splendid II really seems as If the team
was lust getting into its stride, though IL
spent a full month training this spring.
Cleveland has good ball team, ana l.
will undoubtedly do better later than II
Is now but il is not team winch VIII
cut any decided figure in the race unless
there should be remarkable Improvement
shown in more ways than one.
The surprise of the present campaign
is the New York team, which is going
along at a clip that is astounding. 1t
has been pulling so many games OUT OF
the fire that one cannot help but pelleEe
things are breaking we'll for the Hlen-
landers on their own grounds, and II Will
be interesting to note If they VIII go DIS
we'll when they get on the ROAD.
Just why New York should have con-
sented to part with Joe Lake is one OF
the mysteries of base ball In the sew
eral years that the husky spit bail artist
wore the uniform of the Hlghlanders ne
always proved most troublesome prop
osition to most of the strong clubs In
the league and there was reason for be-
leving that with time he might improve
Lake is still good pitcher-yes.r mishty
good pitcher-as he proved yesterday
when he made most of the local batsmen
look like lot of schoolboys. His spit
ball breaks SO that it is Impossible to
gauge it and the result is that ne is
most effective when this peculiar delivery
is working at its best as ii was yester-
day.
Gessler and Elberfeld were the only
locals who could do anything with his
delivery, and they made all OF the Ma
ttonals' hits between them.
Lake looks like pitcher who would fit
in we'll on any team. and why New York
should have disposed of him is one of
the questions which base ball men are
asking each other.
Gessler is to the Washington team what
Sam Crawford is to the Tigers. His hit
ting for the past week so has been
one Of the features of the locals playing.
Go back over the scores and you will find
that it was Docs trusty bat which has
been responsible for most of the victories
that have been scored of late The beauty
about Gessler's hitting is that it is usual
ly for extra bases, which makes 1t pos
= sible for runs to be scored even though
slow men are on the bases. Then, too
there is no way to play for him. He Is
just as apt TO hit in one field as another
So that the fielders find it safest to play
In their regular positions
Bill Hinrich. Walter Johnson's pitch
ing protege, is expected TO arrive here
within the next few days. Johnson had
q letter from Hinrich several days ago,
saying that he would start in a few
days
The youngster will be carefully looked
over, and if he shows as much as John
son gives him credit for having he won't
be on the bench very long.
With Joe Lake out of the way the
rest of the Browns pitchers should not
give the Nationals much trouble. 1t is
pretty tough to have it rain just when
II looks like a chance to pick up some
easy games. for as the Browns are going
now they do not stand much chance to
win.
Stone Of today and a few years ago. Then
he was not only one of the best htters
In the league, but he was fast as a
streak. Stone never was a brilliant field
or yet he seemed better then than he does
now. 1t cannot be that a player OF
Stones age should naturally deteriorate,
Perhaps il is that he has been with the
Browns too long and that a change of
teams would benefit him, for he GER
tainly can no longer be classed with the
stars of the American League.
Until Mcbride made that wild heave to
first base after having made a splendid
stop OF Stephens ugly bounding grounder
In the third inning he had accepted for
ty-two chances without the sembance of
IN error, and most of his chances were
difficult ones TO handle. The manner in
which Stephens grounder bounded Mac
was lucky to get his hand on it and 1t
was unfortunate that after making a
brilliant play he should spoil il with
ba6 throw. and il is not often that any of
his pegs miss the mark either.
Herman Schaefer is far off of his stride.
Germany has not had things breaking
TO have interfered with his all-around
work. He is no; gingery as formerly
and much too careful in what he at
tempts. Ball players who become anxious
about themselves seldom go at their best
gait. for IL is usually a sign of lack of
confidence. One good day would bring
Schaefer back to where he belongs.
Schaefer is popular with the local
crowds and they Will find that their con-
hdence has not been misplaced, for he is
sure TO get to going again before long.
Dixie Walker is gradually improving.
He seems to go better with every game,
but he is still far from satisfied with him.
self Walker complains that his curve
ball is not behaving well. 1t does not
break as il used to, he says. but cannot
account why this should be the case. The
fact that he had good control yesterday
was most encouraging.
Bob Groom is down to pitch today. and
Il is likely that he will be opposed TO Bill
Bailey. the southpaw, who threatened last
fall TO become of the most effective
pitchers in the league. Monday Walter
Johnson will make his second appearance
against the Browns. and Tuesday Dolly
Gray will open against the Detroit Tigers
Gray has had long rest. and as he has
always been most effective against the
champions. he will have an opportunity
10 show what he can do under favorab bic
conditions.
Griggs is a college graduate. He has
q diploma as a dentist from the Western
Pennsylvania College, where he a
foot ball player of some note. Griggs
does not attract much attention by his
playing probably because he is filling
position new 20 him, but he is a
mighty sweer hitter. one who is apt to
break up ball game any time he faces
q pitcher.