The Washington herald., 1910-08-16
FANS PAY FINE TRIBUTE
TO McALEER'S BALL CLUB
Despite Threatening Weather, Big ThrOng Welcomes
Team After Western Trip-Other Gossip

Following q rule established by the
American League managers two months
ago. the official attendance figures at the
games are not made public. but a con-
servauve estimate OF the crowd yester-
day indicated about 5000 or possibly
more.
What tribute TO the Washington base
ball club when it is considered that the
chances were to ! 1t would rain before
the hour OF starting.
Washingtonians support baseball better
than any other city IN the American
League considering that the Nationals
have usually finished in last place.
There was more enthusiasm shown at
the Florida avenue park yesterday than
at any other time this season. and the
players showed their appreciation by put
1ing up a snappy. gllt-edged article OF
the national game.
Manager McAleer has certainly worked
wonders with this club of ours. He said
before the season opened, L don't pre-
dict a first-division club, but will bet
that my team shows lot OF fight, and
viii 20 the limit to win every game; there
will be no cutters on the Washington
club II I can help Il. Every team visit
ing Washington viii find us ready to
meet them more than half way, and be-
fore the season closes you can gamble
they will dread visiting the Capital in
stead of welcoming such a trip, as for
merry. and figuring on a chance 10 boost
n Farr
points in the league standing"
Up to date N1cAleer has made good this
prophecy.
One Of the Detroit players said to the
writer last night: You don't know how
we dread these three games with Wash
ington., We will be lucky 10 win one Of
them"
; When Cleveland was here the last
time the same wall was heard
Last year the visiting clubs were tickled
10 death 10 slip into Washington, and
such expressions as Easy picking" and
Here's where we take four straight"
were heard.
Amt It funny what a difference just
q new manager niakes?"
second" said a thirty-third degree fan
in the grand stand yesterday afternoon
just before the game started.
WHO IS he? Looks like the picture
Of Catcher Ainsmith. Guess that's who
1t IS"
The writer overheard this talk and as
sured the fan that the young man was
none other than Ainsmith, the catcher
Mike Kahoe signed from the Lawrence
club Of the New England League
Kid Elberfeld tells how Ainsmith broke
into big company when he Joined the
Nationals in Cleveland two weeks ago.
He says:'
'Aihsmith was sent in TO catch the day
he arrived, and was out OF condition be-
cause Of a long lay-on, due to a sore
hand. The Maps were taking all kinds Of
chances, and stole about six bases on
him, as he could not seem to locate the
bag. That made no difference. however,
as the youngster refused to be discour-
aged. He begged for a chance TO go in
the next day. and McAleer granted per-
mission. He had gotten over his stage
fright, and the first man who attempted
10 steal was thrown out by ten feet. TWO
others tried it. but met the same fate.
Before the series closed Ainsmith was
again ordered 70 go behind the bat, and
in this game the Maps did not even try to
take liberties with him.
"Ainsmith has the nerve, and is the
best looking bush Lacquer 1 have seer
for many years. He IS going to be q
great backstcp some day
The other players on the Nationals say
the same about the youngster.
1t looks as II Dolly Cray or Bob Groom
would be sent against the Tigers to-day
while Jennings viii work either Donovan
or Summers. Both Gray and Groom
have always been elective against De
troit and II the Nationals can keep III
their fine stick work a victory looks
easy.
The story in an afternoon paper thai
Street might not catch any more bal
games this season is all bunks "Gabby'
will be back in town within a couple OF
weeks and ready to go behind the bat II
9IcAleer needs him.
Jack Lelivelt is a pretty sick man. He
has fun grown case Of jaundice, ma
laria and goodness 1.uovvz What else HI,