The Washington herald., 1911-04-12
RED SOX IN CAPITAL,
WORK AT GEORGETOWN
Boston Team Puts On Finishing Touches in Prepara
ton for Seasons Opening To-day.
By PAUL III. SHANNON.


Baseball writer on the Boston Post, with the Red
Sox tean.)
On the stately heights of Georgetown,
far above the dancing waters of the Po-
tomac, the Boston Red Sox went through
their last preliminary practice OF the
season here yesterday afternoon, and
while the Georgetown college boys looked
curiously on, the men who hope to make
a winning fight in this seasons pennant
chase wound up the sensational spring
trip of 1911.
The Washington grounds, cleared of
the long-standing debris, have been
groomed and put into first-class shape,
and to-day when the bell rings every
thing will be in readiness.
Just before noon yesterday the Red
Sox regulars reached the Capital after
ride of twenty-five hours from Chicago.
The men were pretty we'll tagged out, for
they have had a suTfeit of railroad travel
during the last three weeks, and those
who were eager for a workout yester-
day were few and far between. But
Capt. Wagner, with the duties of man
ager, as we'll as captain. upon his broad
shoulders, was determined that the Sox
should take advantage of the nice
weather. and al O'Clock the men were
taken out to the Georgetown varsity
grounds and put through lively prac-
tice of two hours.
In the absence of Ensle, who stopped
at his heme in Dayton. Ohio. on the
way East, the regulars found themselves
minus the. services of even utility
intielder. as Purtell, Janvrin, and Nebin-
ger were all over at Boston. Harry
tHa n hirl
sack, in order to give the three remain
ing members Of the infield some half
decent practice Harry is grand out
fielder. but he could never play third
base on DR. Greene'S club.
Every one of the pitchers was made to
do his share of hard work, and Larry
Pape and Ed Karger were kept busy for
more than an hour tossing to the men
in batting practice. TOrmie Madden and
Jack KleinOw alternated behind the bat,
and both men showed up to advantage.
Wagner in Poor Shape.
Can't Wagner seems to be in poor
shape or. rather. his arm is nothing
like the usual Wagner whip. He caught
cold moro than a weeE ago. and al
though he has never complained, it is
giving him a lot of bother. Yesterday
ho took no chances, but simply lobbed
the ball across the field.
Madden pegGed nicely tC second, but
Jack kleinOw surprised every one by
his work behind the bat. and al batting
practice. too. he showed clouting ahili-
ties never before suspected. He looked
s. good to Wagner that Heinie feels that
he is the logical selection for catcher in
the opening game. and even if Manager
Donovan does object Wagner will most
likely have his way.
Neither Wood nor CicOtte was used in
pitching practice. and this makes il praC !
IiCallY certain that one Of these twirlers
will start on the slab against the Ma
tionaIs 1t was at first expected that
Eddie Cicotte would be the man selected |
to open the ball. and he has been rest |
ing up for the past three days in an
tiCipation Of the clash, but Wood has |
been coming so strongly that the Boston |
speed pitcher now appears to he the man |
who will he depended upon to down the |
Nationals in the first clash of 1911.
Walter johnson was originally sched- |
uled to face the Boston hatterS in the !
opening hattie. but on account of his re- !
cent disagreement with the Washington |
club and his tardy departure from Kan |
sas it is believed that this honor will |
he handed over to our old rival-Dolly |
Gray. If Gray starts in against Boston |
the chances for a Red Sox victory look |
good. for Dolly always was easy for |
Wasner's men and baseball history may |
repeat itself to-day.
The Nationals are a far stronger asgre-
CATION than they were last season. Bob !
InClaUb has departed. but promising
yOungster in the person of Henry is play
ing a far better game than ever Robert !
did Cunningham is playing a fairly con- |
sistent game at second while Mcbride
at short and EIberfeld at third were never
better. And Washington has a pretty !
oil iT T11i
Ter. There is no need of dilating on !
Washington's strength behind the bat. as
MCAleer has wonderful pair in Street |
and Ainsmith. If the Red Sox expect |
to break even with this bunch they will |
have to work