Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-07
CATCHER AINSMITH
WILL JOIN TEAM
Continued from First Page,

are again struggling for the flag this
others in both leagues There has been
no material improvement in the teams
occupying the berths in the second d.
vision OF either league and consequently
enthusiasm is not running high in these
cities. Once club gets a winning team
1t holds it for several years and unfor-
tunately the loser usually lasts longer
than winner. Under existing condi-
lions In base ball a club which builds up
good team in a few years has got to be
lucky In the selection OF it's material. In
neither league are the teams well bal
anced.
The margin between the first and the
last team is much too large to create in
terest In every angle OF the race. But
there Is no way to better this condition
under existing circumstances. and there
never will be while base ball is conducted
along fair lines. which makes every club
owner a rival Of his partner.
The past week has failed to see any
material change in the prospects of the
leaders In the two races. Connie Mack's
Athletics stand just as good chance
now, II not better. than they ever have
Chicago Cubs. There has been switch
in the runners up, for Boston has passed
New York and gained ground while
Pittsburg has stepped in front of the
Giants. But the standing Of the leaders
has not been materially affected, SO that
it still looks as IL the Athletics and Cubs
would clash in the next worlds series.
Should these two teams win it is per-
haps needless to say that the Cubs will
be picked by nine out of ten to win the
title of worlds champions.
True, Mack has some good pitchers, but
so has Chance and, as has been the case
for several years past. the National
League representatives would again be
blessed with the best catchers.
Like Detroit has been for three sea-
sons past. the Athletics are weak be-
hind the bat They lack a star of the
King order to handle the delivery Of
their pitchers and direct the game. Then.
too, it must be conceded that as far as
system and smooth inside work goes
there is no team to be compared with the
Cubs.
True, the White Sox beat them decisive
ly in the series of 1906. but no one who
away with any other impression than
that the best team had been beaten. So
1t may be this year If the teams finish
as they are today. The Athletics may
rout the Cubs. but it is doubtful if any
one will consider them a better ball team
for all that.
If 1t was possible to go out and buy all
that Is needed to make the Washington
team a winner, it would not require the
But in base ball you can't get what you
want for money. It is the one institution
In which money does not always talk
Buying of miner leaguers Is nothing more
than q speculation. That is demonstrated
every year. Enormous sums are paid for
players who give promise of being stars
only to have them fail absolutely. A few
years ago the New York National League
club was given credit for having pur-
chased pitching wonder In Marquard.
- S,afd IN
yet Marquard has never made good. Last
winter the White Sox management paid
something like $4,000 for Shortstop
Blackburn, heralded as most sensa-
tional player.
What has he shown? He probably ranks
with the dub infielders of the league.
True, he may eventually make good al
that was expected OF him. but he hasn't
to date, nor has he even given much
promise. So the purchasing that the
Washington club has done to cate as
sures nothing. The players must make
good in this company before they are
worth g. cent, but a major league ball
club must pay the price before 1t can
sample the goods. Competition for play
ing material brings this condition ABOUT.
It may be Jim McAleer's good luck to
have secured players who will make the
team a winner. and yet instead OF
strengthening they may weaken the az
gregation.' 1t is therefore good pohcy 10
wait and see what has been secured pc
fore that which is on hand is disposed OF.
Had either Of the teams which have
fighting chance for the pennant encouh-
tered half the misfOrtunes that nave the
Nationals there would be sympathy eX-
pressed in every city of the circuit, but
with a team that is down in the race IL
is different.
When it loses by reason of its crippled
condition it is merely doing what the
fans in other cities expect 1t 10 40. Wnen
it wins it gets no credit, and the team
defeated is Inundated. Washington
would Enthusiastically have made very
creditable showing in the race but TOT
the series of accidents which started with
the in1uring of Charley Street. Take
the best catcher out Of the lineup of any
team and it usually slumps badly: But
not only did the Nationals lose their best
catcher, but two OF their best hitters,
Milan and Lelivelt, have been in enforced
with Walker sick and Gray injured, the
pitching staff, too. has suffered.
The case of Charley Smith, now one of
Boston's winning pitchers, gives another
Illustration of what wonders change VI
clubs works In a player very frequently.
For several years Smith was a most
unsatisfactory proposition for the local
club He could not win because ne showed
an inclination to blow up whenever the
constantly complained Of sore arm:
Since joining Boston he has been one OF
that teams most consistent performers;
On days that he is hit unusually marc
It is his luck to have the team pehlnd
him score a lot of runs, and 1t IS not
often that he is hit hard.
Smith was ready to fall back into the
minors when Boston traded Gessier Tor
him. and no one here regretted his go
ing. But Smith has made good, thouen
at that time If it had been question or
letting out Smith or Tom Hughes. the
former would have gotten the verdict
Now Hughes is pitching great ball Tor
Minneapolis. There is nothing to lnol-
cate that his arm is not strong again ana
If it is the local club would be 1oonsh
IL it did not give him trial. for under
existing conditions he will cost nothing TO
bring here and whenever ball ciub gets
a chance to try out a player free or cost
it should avail itself of the opportunity.
A good ball player on losing team IS
severely handicapped because he seldom
gets chance to show himself at ms pest.
Opportunities are lacking on loser ana
what is more. the incentive when comes
with being up in the race is absent ana,
instead of playing with something In view,
the players have to force themselves
through their work. Then. too. the losing