The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-10-09
Washington Ball Players Are omead Bound for Winter the Stove
PLAYERS LEAVE TODAY
FOR WINTER QUARTERS
Cause for Satisfaction Even Though Team Is Not High
In Race-Revew of Seasons Work-Tickets
for Big Series Ready.

Today is getaway day for Washing
ton bali players
The much delayed rain which arrived
yesterday asS i'll timed. for it removed
the Last vestige Of chance the Nationals
had or climbing into sixth place. That
they would have taken both games from
the Athletics was decidedly improbable
but at the same time there was some
chance that the unexpected might have
happened, and two defeats could not
have made the club much worse of
AS soon as taps was sounded the
players began consultation OF railroad
schedules, ard by this evening more
than half Of the ball club will De home
ward bound to join the old folks and
arrange for a trout seat in the stove
hague at the general store on Main
street. II is proverbial among players
that ii takes almost a month to res,
zap after full season on the diamond,
bat after that time they are usually In
full bloom in the conversation circuit,
hitting and fielding at rate that
would make Ty Cobb look like a blind
cripple.
One full. uninterrupted week to dope
out the worlds series.
As soon as II became evident tina a
game yesterday would be an impossi-
biIity, Mana ger McAleer called his
1rusty henchmen together. and had
short heart-to-heart talk, during which
he thanked the players for their efforts
and outlined the plans for the future.
While the mere fact that a team is
able TO finish next to last leaves little 10
gloat over. a retrospective inspection of
the record made by the club during tie
campaign. which ended yesterday. con
Ninces any reasonable fan that the sea
son was a success, and in the success
there was no individual who should
have greater share.
Coming here and taking hold of a dis
organized mixture OF traditional tail
enders, McAIeer got order out Of chaos.
From a few real stars he separated the
near-leag uers and commenced to build.
Where Cautillon drove, McAleer led, and
BY treating the players with every con-
sideTation he won their friendship and
re-esta blished harmony in the club.
Even had the Nationals finished far in
the Tuck of the race, there could have
been no complaint OH one feature, and
that was that sor the first time in many
q year Washington had a real, sure
enough set OF aggressive ball players.
The players went about their work in
a manner unknown here before, and BY
their spirited actions won hosts OF
i~iends and much respect around the
circuit, whore Washington had for a
.ong time been looked upon az the cham
pion joke team of modern times.
II was McAleer who built up this az
gressiveness, and in this alone he has
done something for which every loyal
fanatic is thankful.
Walter johnson Will receive the purse
OF $500 tomorrow morning. The money
was subscribed by the fans in apprecia-
tioR OF Johnson's strike-out record
The close of the season found the Ma
tionals right at the heels of Chicago.
and but thirty points behind Cleveland,
the smallest margin that has separated
Washington from the lead OF the second
division since the American League be
came ? ma jor organization.
The work Of the Nationals could be
split into three seCtiOns-a miserable
start. a grand spur SHORTY after the
halfway post had been passed, and a
weak finish. Considering the manner in
which the clubs finished the failure 10
get q way well really kept the Nationals
in more lowly position than their true
form warrant ed. Despite the fact that
The club trained close to home. the play
frs were not ready wnen the bell rang
N April, and during the opening weeks
90 much ground was Tost that the team
really sacrificed before the season was
well under way.
The trouble was in the pitching When
The stan wobbled, games were lost; but
when the twirlers showed their average
form, the support afield and at the bat
was forthcoming. which caused many
an expert 10 Oplne thar, with a steady
pitching staff, the Nationals would be
real contender for first division houors