Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-10
OPENING DAY DRAWS
NEARER AND NEARER
Nationals Just Now in SpIen-
did Shape to Tackle
the Athletics.

With the boxes sold. the new suits ready
and the field in splendid condition. 1T re-
mains for the weather bureau to hand out
something nice for next Thursday after
noon, when the American League season
opens in this city with a battle between
the Nationals and Athletics. The hlsh
prices secured for the boxes yesterday
gives but a slight indication of the In
terest manifested all over the city In the
Washington club. The fans were given
flash of what the Nationals can do in
their first game with the Phillies, and
they will look for the same sort of thing
on the opening day.
Manager McAleer has given it out that
he will send Walter johnson to the rub
Der for the first game, but Manager Mack
says he hasn't decided between Bender,
Plank and Krause for the initial strug-
gle. Any one of the three can put up a.
frst-class battle, as they are in the pink
of condition. and the chances for SPLEEN
did contest are very bright
Unless sickness or accidents intervene
the Nationals will go to the bat as fol-
lows:
Milan, CT; Schaefer, 2b.: Lelvelt, IT,.
Gessler. rf. Unglaub. h.: Elberfeld, 3d..
The practice yesterday. both morning
and afternoon, was very good and was
probably the hardest days work the team
has gone through with this season. The
morning round was witnessed by large
crowd and the players threw unusual en-
ergy into their efforts in response to tho
almost continuous applause of the on
lockers In the afternoon the weather
was ideal and Manager McAleer had diff
ticulty in getting the crowd to stop work.
Tomorrow the Nationals take trip to
Baltimore and tackle the Orioles of that
city. The birds have been putting up
fair argument against the Boston and
Brooklyn teams and will do their best to
make the Nationals hustle. Manager
McAleer said last night that he would
probably give Groom a chance to go the
route so as to be ready for the Athletic
game here next Friday. II Robert should
weaken, Dixie Walker will be sent to his
| relief.
Tuesday the Orioles come over here
and the local FANS will have chance
| to lock over the boys before the real
| struggle starts.
| The police have not been able as yet
to run down the thieves who broke into
| the Nationals clubhouse. but several good
clues are being followed and the thieves
| may soon be apprehended. The stun
| stolen is not very valuable. but the play
| ers feel the loss on account of having to
! break in new shoes and gloves. Elber-
| field had two shoes for his left foot stolen
and two rights were left behind. He had
/ been working In the shoes a week or
more and they were in fairly good condi-
| ton This Is one Of the hardships, as new
| shoes are liable to toss player at any
| time and generally at critical points.
| Capt. Doyle thought he had the right
| parties yesterday morning when a man
| was caught with several old gloves, but
! they were all for boys and new clue
SSad toe taken up. 1t won't be healthy
! for any burglars to come around the club
| in the future.
Doc Gessler's good right hand oontin-
! ues to trouble him, and 1t may affect his
| batting until quite well. In addition to
| the bruised thumb blood blister popped
| up yesterday morning in the middle of
| the hand. Trainer Quirk worked over 1t.
! and a couple Of physicians examined the
| hand, and the chances are that the Doc
tor will rest up for a couple of days, so as
to give II time to heal. Gessler says he
had something like the same trouble last
| spring, and is debating with himself
whether or not he doesn't use too heavy
! q bat. He grasps the bat at the extreme
end, and the knob sort of buckles into
the palm. causing the bruise when a hefty
swing is taken. The fans are pulling fol