Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-05
BY .. ED GRILLO.

It did not take Frank Gotch long to
once more establish the fact that he is
the greatest wrestler in the world to-
day His decisive victory over Heck
enschmidt. in Chicago yesterday seems
to remove the only man who was fig
ured to have a chance to defeat the
IoWan. yet he did not prove near as
troublesome as on the occasion Of their
former meeting. All this gush about
Hack having learned the fine points of
the game and having fit himself TO be
able to stand any sort Of endurance
may have proved good press agent
stuff. but wasn't true. Hack apparent
ly knew less Of the game yesterday
than he did three years ago.
But the Russian got $4,000 for his
trouble. and has the nerve to express
a desire to meet Gotch again. At that
figure he probably would not mind be-
ing thrown several times every day,
match. The public has been convinced
that Hack is not in Gotch's class. and
the chances are that for time at least
the wrestling game will be shelved.
Apparently the bout was on the
from 80 per cent Of similar contests.
There are decidedly few pitchers in base
ball who could be used in the capacity
that Walter Johnson was yesterday. 1t
is seldom that a pitcher Is used as a
pinch hitter and makes good as did
Johnson yesterday. But Johnson belongs
TO that class of hitters known as danger
GUS He may strike out occasionally. but
he always has three healthy swings at
the ball. and il he happens to meet one
the chances for a long drive are very
good. Johnson has few strikes called on
him. There is usually no question about
Gov - 10 -,
near the plate without having a swing
Yesterdays victory over the Athletics
is credited to Johnson. giving him rec
ORD or having won ten straight games
and bringing his total to twenty-five out
or thirty-One games pitched. The chances
are that johnson will be given an oppor-
tunity to increase his victories by one
before the team returns here Thursday.
for It is most likely that he will pitch
the final game in New York Wednesday.
Calling off all bets on the Gotch-Hack-
enschmidt match is sure to create sus-
picion that all was not what il should
be in connection with the bout, though in
wanted 10 save the sport in Chicago and
yet there must have been some good
reason for his taking this action other
than the one he gives that he feared
there would be sauawks' if the bout
was not satisfa ctory. On previous per-
fornances there was no reason for sus-
pecting that the two athletes would not
have real struggle. There may have
been some who knew that Hackenschmidt
would not last long but that should not
have had anything to do with the wagers
which were made il everything was up
and up. In the first place 1t is doubtful
II referee should take any cognizance
Of the betting. and the only time that
ne should make an effort to protect the
public is when he has reasons to believe
that contest is not on the square.
It is no doubt very fortunate for the
Athletics that Detroit has weak pitch
ing staff or the Tigers might yet make the
present race interesting for the cham
pions. Jennings team Is scoring enough
runs in almost every game to win hands
down if its pitchers could do their share.
but not one Of the Tiger twirlers seems
able to hold opposing teams in check.
and most OF the run getting Of the team
is wasted.
On the whole the Athletics are going
none too well. Mack's team seems 10 be
encountering slight slump. which might
prove disastrous IL II were being pushed
hard by one Of its rivals.
Clyde Milan is occupying very promi-
nent position in the records among the
crack PLAYERS Of the American League.
He Is third among the base runners ana
tenth in run Eetting and as q siuRser.
The fact that he Is on team which IS
down in the race while the players who
exceed him are on winning teams makes
his showing all the more remarkabie
This is undoubtedly Milan's best year in
base ball. He has shown lot of i'm
provement in his work this year over
previous ones and if he were member
of winning combination he would rank
still higher.
II Sam Langford succeeds in putting
Joe Jeanette away in their bout in
New York tonight he will have placed
himself in a position where Jack Johnson
can no longer ignore his demands for a
match. Langford may prove as easy for