The Washington herald., 1910-08-15
By WILLIAM PEEF.

By WILLIAM PEET.
Walter Johnson. Doc Meyer, Bill
Otey, and Bob Groom. members Of the
Nationals twirling stan. reached Wash
ington yesterday morning from Detroit.
Manager .McAleer sent them on in ad-
vance Of the main squad so they could
rest up bit
johnson will work against the Detroit
Tigers in the first Of a three-game series
this afternoon, the contest TO start at
o'clock prompt.
Does Ainsmith look as IL he had the
makings OF a big league catcher" the
writer asked johnson last night
You bet he does. Just wait'unt you
see the youngster in action" was the
reply.
Johnson also has a. good word TO say
about Pitcher Otey, who seems TO have
made a fine impression on Manager Nc
Aleer.
"Henry's Improvement. according 70.
johnson, has been wonderful The col
legian has learned by experience the past
three weeks more about baseball than he
would at Amherst in three years.
BY splitting even with Detroit. the
Nationals wound up the best Western
trip since the days Of Jake Stahl Six
teen games In all were PLAYED and the
Nationals broke even. Philadelphia was
the only other Eastern club 10 show
better record.
Perhaps one Of the features Of the trip
just closed has been the fine work OF
Wild Conroy. infielder. outfelder. and
general ali-round handy man. ConrOy's
hitting has played a prominent part In
the winning Of almost all OF the games.
and he has covered two positions in the
outfield in a manner most satisfactory
to Manager McAleer.
Those who remember Conroy's work
last year can hardly realize that he is
one and the same person There are sew
eraI clubs in the American League right
now who would pay real money for
Conroy.
There should be rousing old crowd at
the Florida avenue grounds at O'Clock
this afternoon TO welcome the Nationals
home. Detroit has always been a big
drawing card here. and while the Tigers
are not going at a pennant winning clip,
they can be counted on as dangerous
foes TO any aggregation.
Manager Hughey Jennings IS al pres
ent under suspension, but he win be
here with his team. and expects that the
While the Washington club at present
is badly crippled owing 10 injuries and
ailments or several players. il is ex-
pected that a week or so at home viii
bring them all around in good shape.
Lixie Walker viii probably be seen IN
the box during one Of the games this
week. as the big fellow has entirely re-
covered from his malaria Walkers last
appearance at National Park was on
July 4, against the Boston Red Sox.
The Harry Lord deal is the topic Of
conversation among the ball players. and
every club in the American League was
out hook. line. and sinker for said player.
The New York club offered $1,000 for
Lord. who Is regarded as the best third
sacSer in the American League. but Tay-
lor wanted players and not the money.
The following story is going the rounds
in the various newspapers; When Gabby
Street, Washington's catcher, was in the
minor leagues. he was fast on his feet.
ard he says il was nothing unusual for
him 10 drop the third strike in order TO
have the fan of running the batter down
on the first base line This stunt was
pure joy TO Charley. but there came a
time when he failed TO get the measure
of his man.
The pitcher who was serving Street
succeeded in striking the batter out
"Gabby" dropped the ball. Then ensued
such a race as few fans have an oppor-
tuuity Of Witnessing The visiting bat
ter beat "Gabby" TO first by a full stride.
and, measuring his man correctly. con-
tinued on toward the keystone corner.
Street pursued. but again he was dis
tanced. The runner went column left. q"
and made third his goal Disregarding
his team mates, who waited his throw at
every angle. Charley kept up the vain
pursuit. Finally he hurled himself into
the plate on the heels of the runner, ex-
Glazing as he rose:
I'd got him II hadn't this dinged
wIndpad on"
Where amateur baseball hourishes,
professional baseball always succeeds.
II is the amateur who has made baseball
our great national game. and when the
amateur is no more, baseball VIII be no
more.
Amateur baseball has never had the
NOR LEAGUES.