Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-24
BY J. ED GRILLo.

| In trying to find reason for the poor
showing of the Athletics all sorts of
theories are being advanced, but there
is really but one which explains it, and
that is that the players under Connie
Mack are not in as good condition as
they should be.
| The fact that the team took Cuban
trip last winter is one Of the reasons
advanced for their slump, and yet De-
troit, which is leading the procession.
took similar trip and does not ap-
ipear to have been affected thereby
Furthermore, the best season the Atll-
letics ever had came after a whole
winters jaunt out on the coast. Lack
Of condition is responsible for the poor
start beyond doubt, and as the sea-
son progresses and the good weather
the work Of the champions. The fact that
a heavy handicap is being shouldered
by the champions will add to the race
| for If the team is as good as it was
last year it will overcome this in due
time.
| But should the team prove a loser
the owners of the club stand in fair
way to lose the enormous profits they
made last season. Philadelphia does
not want losing team, and to have
| failure come right after a world s
championship would sour the fans and
cause the attendance to fall to virtually
nothing. On the other hand, if the Ath-
lletics play good ball and overcome their
present handicap 1t will do much to
increase the interest in the game in
that city.
Tom Hughes is not the only veteran
pitcher who after spending a period in q
minor league has come back and bafhed
the major league bats1nen. Earl Moore
Of the Phillies. just now the pitching
! SENSATION of the old league, has been on
the mound for twelve years. He was a
! star with Cleveland six or seven years
ago. but appeared to be going back, ana
after a. short stay with New York drop
ped into the minors. going to Jersey City.
Billy Murray was then the manager of
that team, and when Murray went to
Philadelphia he took Moore with him,
contending that he was just as good
pitcher as ever Murrays judgment was
}excellent, for Moore has been winner
ever since and appears to he in better
form this year than he has ever been be-
fore Moore, however. unlike Hughes, has
tnever had any trouble with his pitching
refused to heal and gave him great pain
when he put his weight on 1t. Like
Hughes. Moore knows how to pitch, and
1 when this knowledge is coupled with
some natural ability II usually makes d
successful pitcher.
| Before the Nationals return here May
they have nine more games to play on
the road. One with New York and four
each with Philadelphia and Boston.
To win -four OF these nine would give
them an even break on the road, show
ling which Is always considered satisfac-
tory. But unless those Athletics take a
decided brace by the time the Nationals
hook up with them Their, is no reason
why the locals should not make good
showing against the champions. Even
with a losing team, the Nationals have
ALWAYS been a hard team for Mack's stars
to beat, and with it going better than
lever this spring it should be all the
harder.
To get an even break with the three
II eastern teams would give prospects OF q
good showing on the western trip, where
1.-The teams. barring Detroit, are not be-