Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-01
BY j. ED. GRILLO.

For the next ten days or so the Nationals
sill be up against the hardest PROPOSE
ions in the Inefican League. namely.
he three leading teams. Philadelphia.
Boston and New York. Excepting the
snod showing against Detroit. the Ma
.onsls have made their squirt against the
weak western teams though the article
" ball McAleer's menthave put up would
probably have beaten any team in the
eaSue. But it Is hardly. 10 be expected
nat they can keep UP the pace against
he three leaders. Thattwould be expect
ny TOO much. and yet fits not Impossible
81 any means.
The Nationals have always. been hard
oroposition for the Athletics 10 solve
wen when the team was not going as
yeu as II has been lately the Athletics
'ound IL a hard matter 10 heat H.
But the Boston and New York teams
rave been stumbling blocks for the Ma
!onals all season. But few games have
,een won from this pair this year. but il
nav he different now that the Nationals
are playing their best ball An even
break in the games that washington y
scheduled 10 play against fhiiade'pnia.
.estern trip is started would be most
satisfactory showing.
In the game today Dixie Walker will
probably be hooked UP with either Dygert
E ~ lliocl hhtis SAaS iaNNNs'
To strike our fourteen batsmen in one
,ame is a remarkab BILE performance I'M
er any circumstances. but Walter Johnson
accomplished this yesterday without ever
citing himself out. There was not a
ime In that final struggle with the
Browns that johnson cut loose al top
,peed. He just pitched as II he cared
title whether he was hit or not Having
, comfortable lead almost from the out
set there was not moment that he ex-
.rted himself Neither did he try for the
trike-out record. for n he had he could
most probably have broken 1t. for condi-
ions were never more favorable. Ii was
lark day to begin with and Johnson was
form.
johnson will not have a difficult time
breaking the American league strike-out
,ecord this year. which is held by Rube
Eaddell. who in one season struck out
Dl johnson has struck out 231 TO date,
md as he is very apt TO take part In eight
n ten games before the season Is over
,e IL sure TO average seven to game.
which would allow him to break Wad-
ielrs record easily. He needs but forty
I've more strike-outs TO do this, and he
should be able to get them barring &C
ident.
In explaining the wonderful improve
nent in the work OF the Washington
cam one very important factor should
lot be overlooked-kid Elberfeld.
The local CluD mas never Hdu O. sdAdd
Die a man on third base. and while the
Kid has not an average which would In
iicate him to be a slugger. yet ne is a.
ways pulling of something at the plate
he is one CT those players who worries
pitcher and he has been responsible
'or many a victory this season when he
1as not made a base hit.
So far as his fielding Is concerned. It
could not be improved upon. Nothing
rets BY him that could be handled. and
% third "a c a throws he
las no equal. Eiberfeld has certainly
seen a valuable man for the team, and.
Ike Mcbride. no effort Is being made TO
-eplace him next season.
Though catchers have said that Walter
Johnson was no harder TO catch than any
other average pitcher. the fact remains
hat there are. more balls dropped by the
catcher when the Big Fellow Is on the
-ubber than at any other time 1t IN
sicates that Johnson's speed Is so terrific
that the catcher finds X difficult to close
DIS hands in time to hold the ball In his
NIT.
Beckendorr handles Johnson's delivery
vsry well but, after all, Johnson has
never had any catcher behind him who
mas less trouble with his great speed and
deceptive shoots than Charley Street
The pair. make an ideal battery.
THERE'S. considerable inquiry, among the
patrons OF the game for a reason why
Ainunith II not allowed 10 catch John
BON. The argument Is made that sooner
" later Ainsmith may be called upon 10
handle Johnson's delivery. and now Is the
time 70 find out whether he Is equal 20 the
occasion orinot.
However. McAIeer is not taking any
ehAnces OF having Johnson's pitching
handicapped by weak work behind the
BAT or running Ainsmifh by letting him
have q bad day behind Johnson He Is
.atisffed with the way Beckendorf