Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-25
BY. ED GRILLo.

No one realizes the Nationals weak
ness more keenly than does Jim Nc
Aleer. He knows that he lacks an out
field, and there is no secret about it
With one or two men of even ordinary
ability. players who can hit about .26O
and make an occasional long sacrifice
fly. the Washington team would be
well enough fortified to cut figure in
the race.
AS it Is. the teams showing depends
almost entirely upon its pitchers. If
the twirlers can hold the other fellows
down to run or two the team has a
chance to win. But let the pitchers be
hit only ordinarily hard and the Ma
tionals are out of the running. for it is
not a team which can score a lot of
runs.
Two of Mctleer's pitchers have
shown good form. Groom and Hughes.
and this pair should be worked as
often possible until the others round
to work them too much. for they would
be sure to give way Under the strain,
but at this season Of the year. when
the weather frequently intcrferes with
the game. ball players get really more
rest than is good for them.
Paris has turned against the necr1
fighters, and all the French boxing clubs
have agreed to bar them in the future
unless match can be made in which
Jack Johnson il principal.
As was to he expected. ths recent Lang
ford McEey fight caused a lot of dis
satisfaction. and the public has given
warning that any further attempt to hold
fights between colored pugilists will be
boycotted.
while attending some boxing matches in
Paris the other day. Stirred up so much
Ill feeling that riot was narrowly avert
ed only by his withdrawal. McVey was
once the idol OF the French sporting pub
lie, but the belief has become prevalent
that he faxed. and the French sports don /
like to be duped any more than do those
of other nations.
The splendid form the Phillies are show
ing in the National League race is caus-
Ing considerable surprise i'm that circuit
and Yet It should not. for in every one of
the recen. campaigns that team has been
one of this strongest. though bt no means
successful. The changes that Manager
Doom made against the advice of the
club president, Horace Fogel. show that
the youthful manager knew exactly what
he was about. From strong team
which could not win because OF the dis
sension that existed in its ranks Doom
mas Du1lt up harmonious aggrega ton
which Is playing up to its standard, which
classes 1T with the strongest teams in the
old league. The disappointment that the
Philadelphia fans have suffered by rea-
son OF the poor work of the Athletics is
more than offset by the brilliant squirt
the Phillies have shown.
There is perhaps not another instance
on record where a player after being out
of the big league for six or seven years
has returned and starred, is Jimmy
Callahan of the White Sox. When Gala
nan quit the big league some years back
1t was generally conceded that he had
seen his best days, and no one ever
dreamed that after FIVE years or more
he would be able to come back and prove
the star OF an outfiefd that Is rather
classy. But Callahan has accomplished
this, and is today playing the best ball of
all the members Of Comiskeys team. His
spring form during the training season
does not appear to have been a fash in
the pan. for he is keeping up the pace.
without the slightest difficulty now that
the regular season is on.
Tha statement that the lease OF the
Polo Grounds had been extended by the
owner CT the property was premature. No
new lease has been signed. The subject
has been discussed, but definite agree
ment has not been determined.
In making the statement that the owner
will agree to a plan which will make it
possible for the owner OF the New York