Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-21
BY J. ED GRILLO.

A successful series in Boston would put
the Nationals in the first division. 1t is
of course asking too much to have Nc
Aleer's team take a majority of the games
from the speed Boys" but if it can win
two of the five games to be played there
it will put the team in a splendid position
to advance during its long stretch of
games at home. After the series at
Boston the National return here for
twenty-four games.
This stretch of games ai nome is in
terrupted by a four-game series at De-
troit during the Elks convention. Judged
on the good showing the team has made
on the road to date it should do much
better on it's own grounds that there
is at least strong possibility of it gain
ing a berth in the first division before it
starts on its next long trip. Whether it
will be able to hold so prominent posi-
ton in the race to the finish depends
largely upon whether the other teams in
the race will show Improvement In their
work
At any rate there is a chance for the
Nationals for they already occupy
better position in the race than they
have in many years. And, what is more,
the teams showing cannot be CONSIDERED
a flash in the pan. for it has won its
games without getting even the slightest
Ter and Unglaub. There is no reason for
believing that the inability of this pair
to get hits with men On the bases is a
permanent failing. Both are sure to come
and when they do victories should be won
with even more regularity. All things
considered the team played good ball
in the west. Only on one occasion was
the playing of such character that one
was reminded of the old tailenders.
That was the third game in ST. Louis.
But in all the other games the Nationals
showed class and their defeats were the
result of inability to hit. 1t was in these
games that the slump of Gessler and
Unglaub hurt most. for they usually had
two or three chances to drive in runs In
these games.
Boston IS playing a much improved
game of late and McAleer's team will find
the Hubbites better fortified than they
were in the west. If Dolly Gray shows
the improved form that is expected OF
him he will prove a troublesome Gus
toner for Boston and much depends on
his work there. II he can win one of
his games, for he may pitch two. john
son is sure to give a good account of
himself. for he appears to be in the best
form he has ever enjoyed since becoming
member of the team.
Jim McAleer has changed his system of
handling ball team since taking hold
of the Nationals. During the eight years
that he was at the head of the st. Louis
team Jim had the reputation of being a
driver. He seemed unable to overlook a
players mistake and handed out his
criticism on the ball field. The result
was that some of the players under him
failed to work up to their standard.
Since coming here McAleer has seen
the error of his way. He has changed
entirely. No matter what sort of a play
may come up and how faulty may have
been the judgment of one of his men.
there is never a call from McAleer. He
is resorting to encouraging tactics. Play
ers are not roasted for mistakes
McAleer seldom says a word to any of
his men on the field, unless it is to en-
courage them. Gessler and Unglaub. for
instance, have been raving because of
their batting slump Both are badly dis
couraged and yet all they ever hear from
McAleer are words of announcement.
The result is that McAleer is very popu-'
lar with his players.
The best of feeling exists among them,
and defeats are taken very much to
heart. In the cities where the Nationals
have played they have drawn o. Iluets
from the critics because of their hus..ing.
Even when they went down to ,lefedc
the team always looked impressive There
edge and anxious to do his best Ut all
times. Eight years experience as
manager nave made McAleer ffplo-
mat and he is undoubtedly now oue of
work or: OF his plaJli in the league.
Waiter Johnson's reputation is so we'll
established that everywhere the Nd iJu-
ais appear there are innumeraoi. in
ouiries for the young pitcher. Fans in
other cities want to see the big fellow.
ana on days that he is slated to pitch
the attendance is always the larges %
Jonnson's credit, it must be said Chat all
the nice things that are said of hin
and the prominent position he occupies
have not changed him in the least. He
Is tn. same quiet, modest, level-headed
b,,v that he was when he first joined the
te am. and incidentally the most popular
member of the team among the other
players.
johnson is as much interested in games
that he is not in as those he pitches
hiinscif He is all smiles when one of
the other pitchers wins his game, and
during such games is constantly encOur-
aging his teammates.
There are not many players of john