Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25
M'BR|DE SURE TO
Be AN ABLE AID
MCAIeer Will Be Blessed With
a Capable Field Captain
Next Season.
NATIONALS DISPLAYED
KNOWLEDGE OF GAME
Team Was Not OutcIassed in
Knowing What to Do, But
Lacked Natural Strength.
BY j. ED GRILLO.


When Jim McAleer's team takes the
field next spring 1t will be in better hands
than ever before in the history of the
Washington club. Our Nationals have
lacked much in the past. but nothing
so much a good field general, and
this important position seems at last
to have fallen into competent hands.
There is no question as to George Nc
Brides qualifications to captain the team
He is not only well versed in the fine points
OF the game, has plenty of nerve, so
that extra duties will not affect his play
ing. but he is a charming personality and
decidedly popular with his teammates
Above all, Mcbride is Il strict discipline
rian. He is firm and yet not severe. and
when McAleer selected him as his hrst
lieutenant he displayed rare wisdom and
made a step forward.
When a man manages a team from the
bench it is essential that he have some
one In the same on whom he can rely.
George Mcbride is such man There
are occasions in a game of ball when
some one must do the proper thing at a
moment notice. The manager on the
bench cannot direct at such stages; the
captain must do that, so that much de-
ponds on his judgment.
Mcbride has been a member Of the local
team three seasons and ii took that long
of the game here The fact that he is
not a hard hitter proved a heavy handi-
Cap for him to carry in his efforts to gain
popularity, though he sacrificed nothing
to gain this But while he has not been
q hard hitter, Mcbride has made most OF
his hits count, while as fielder he ranks
with the best ShOrtStOpS in the country.
There seems to be no doubt that with
Mcbride handling the team on the field
it will play a higher grade Of base ball
than ever before.
While, of course, the Nationals because
OF lack OF strength could not always ap-
pear brilliant as their rivals, it must
be conceded that far as the science
OF the game is concerned they ranked
up well with the other seven teams.
In fact there is little difference in the
general playing of the teams, SO far as
system IS concerned. The methods en-
ployed by one manager vary but little
from that of others. though, OF course,
will always appear TO be playing more
scientific game, because it can deliver
that which weaker teams would hardly
attempt.
Last year the team did everything that
could be expected of II, and at that did
not have the better ends of the breaks
in luck. The miserable start in the spring
was a severe setback, and the uncer-
tainty of that outfield proved a great
handicap. That outfeld was always I'M
settled. At no time was McAleer in a posi-
ton to put three men out there whom he
considered the best he had on hand. For
months Lelivelt was sick, and, OF course
IL was off year for Gessler. But 1t
cannot be said that the team was out
generated at any time. 1t put up as
good a game as any of it's rivals, though
Of course, it lacked strength in several
places.
First base has been the bane of Jim
McAleers hopes for next season, because
he is not blessed with man for the
position who is absolutely sure to make
good But when you stop to look over
the men who play first base in the Amer
lean League there is but one high-class
player in that position, and that is Hal
Chase. None OF the others are stars,
though they are holding their jobs for the
want of better men.
There apears to be more room for i'm
provement around the initial sack than
any other position in this league One
hears much about the scarcity Of catrhcrs
but there are many more good kackstops
than there are first basement Barring
New York, there is hardly a club which
would not jump at the chance to get a
new man OF class for first base. When
players OF the George Stovall type, and
he classes pretty well with the other first
s2ckers i'll the league. barring Chase, can
hold his job against allcomers for six
years, II Is very plain that first basemen
are not being ground out with much fire.
Quency-
So while McAleer may have much to
worry him as to- who he will have to fill
the BILL he will not be in a very much
worse position than several of the other
teams.
1t has always been hazardous to make
predictions in base ball. but to say that
Walter Johnson will show a decided i'm
provement in his work next season than
any he has displayed since joining the
local team is not taking much of
chance.
The fans may not have noticed the
great change in Johnsons work during
the closing weeks of the last season.
From a pitcher who relied mostly on his
natural ability to win games. Johnson
gave evidence of growing what is
termed wise" during the closing weeks
OF the season. Instead of relying solely
on his speed and curves. johnson began
to work batters last season. He was
crossing them they say. In other
words, he was Outguessing the batters,
and when a pitcher of the johnson type
can do that he takes much of the strain
off of his arm.
While still a mere boy. Johnson has
filled out nicely and he is now an idea,
build for pitcher.
Reputation is worth a whole lot to
ball player Bill Bradley, for instance.
gave every evidence last wear of being
all In Every major league club waived
on him and he was forced TO either quit
or 90 to the minors. But as he had his
unconditional release he was free to go
where he pleased and could pick the
softest spot He found 1t at Toronto.
where he is to receive S.. 100 for the
season and is reported to have secured
bonus for signing. Now If Bradley
were unknown. IL he had never been a
star player. his ability. would bring no
such figure. As 1t is. he has fallen into
very soft spot, and the American
League will not begrudge him his good
fortune. for Bradley stuck with that or
ganization when 1t was to his financial in
terest TO go to the rival league.
During the war the writer went on a
mission to Cleveland to sign Bradley
Money was no object in those days and
Bradley was offered $1,000 a year for
three years. He was to get a years
salary in advance. and could draw up
his contract SO that In the event of lis
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