Evening star., 1911-08-10
BY j. ED GRILLO.


OF the Nationals since their return from
the last western trip must be attributed
10 the fact that the players seem just to
have rounded into form This is particu-
IarIy true of the pitchers. who hav, been
doing their best work during the last
three weeks in which time eleven games
have been won and but five lost. Lack of
condition earlier in the season undoubted-
ly was the handicap under which the Ma
tionals campaisned. None of the team
pitchers was then in form. and while the
team seemed able to score runs enough
10 win ordinary games these We're mostly
wasted because Of the inability OF the
pitchers to hold the opposing team down
IL is generally supposed that a pitcher
can get himself into playing trim in a
couple of weeks. but il often happens
tnat not until the season is half over do
the twirers show their best form.
Most of AlcAleer's twirlers spent a
month at Hot Springs before they report
ed to Atlanta, and it would seem that
they had plenty of time 10 get themselves
ready for the championship season. ana
yet 1t Is only recently that any Of them
have shown the form which was expected
from them. Pitchers who have been IN
the game many years frequently u not
show anything until they have had long
none OF McAleer's pitchers has reached
the veteran stage. Johnson, Walker and
Groom are all youngsters who have seen
but a few years services, and one would
not suppose that they required a lot OF
weather conditions TO tit them. And yet
il seems that the season had to go three
months before they began 10 show any
real class.
The Nationals are now playing excep-
tionally good ball, but they are 50 TAR
down in the race that nothing but a re-
markabe winning streak can land them
any higher in the race. Nor is there any
real danger of ST Louis beating them out
The next time Hogan plays sun field
lie will wear either bird cage or an
iron hat on his head. The experience OF
the big outfielder in the first inning yes
terday when a little fly ball from Nc
Brides bat struck him on top of the
head will make him more cautious IL
the future. Ii was this play which gave
the Nationals the game, for that niShap
gave them three runs. Hogan after this
incident hurried over TO right field, Whlle
Schweitzer took his place in left.
Buck Becker has now pitched in three
games of ball two OF which he has won.
The other game was lost. and as he went
into il with the score tied the defeat is
charged 10 him These games have es-
tablshed the fact that Becker is a pltcher
of major league caliber lie may not De
10 have a lot on several left-handers now
performing in this league. The younSster
has plenty of nerve, which does not de-
sert MIN when he is in a pinch, and, what
is more. he knows low 10 field his posi-
ton lie works his games rapidly and
inspires his fielders by so doing Surely
no mistake was made in picking him up,
for ne has added material strength to the
pitching staH-
McAleer had 10 pay Youngstown $500
for Beckers release.
the Browns have won any games at all
this year. The team is not only one OF
the weakest that have ever represented
city in a major league. Dut IT plays even
below the standard that might be ex-
pected from any team whose players
draw salary. Like all tail-end teams,
II gets all the worst or the oreaks. IL
cannot make an error without having
several runs score as result
The final game of the series with the
Browns this afternoon promises to be
hard one for the Nationals TO win. Joe
Lake. VINO few days ago earned lne
distinction of winning the only game
the Browns have taken from the Ath-
letics this year is slated to do the slab
work Bob Groom will most likely op-
pose him. and if both are in form
pitchers battle is to be expected.
For the first time in weeks Clyde
Milan got his bat 70 working yesterday,
and two doubles and two singles in four
times UP resulted Milan has been
the turn came yesterday, and every
thing he hit went safe. He opened the
same by hitting the first ball pitched
u the right field fence for two bases.
I'm fact, all his drives We're into that
field. Powell pitching just where zeb
likes them.
In Petty, Lake and Powell Wallace
has three pitchers who would all be
winners with a good team behind them
Powelfs work yesterday was good
enough to win game, but that Hogan
incident put him out of II. Next to Cy
Young, Powell has been pitching major
league ball longer than any other pitcher
In the league, and he appears to be
about good as he ever was Powell, un-
like most pitchers, does not appear to ex-
ert himself very much when he Is pitching.
lie has an easy motion. which makes 1t
appear that he is merely tossing the
bali TO the plate. and IL is this fact
which makes his delivery deceptive.
Streets catching is by far the best he
has done this season. Not only is he
handling the pitchers well. but his
throwing is nearly perfect, and. barring
accidents. he promises TO f1n1Sh the sea
son with a reputation which Will rate him
among the best catcherS in the league.
That drive over the right field fence
was q long time coming, but II eventu-
ally got there. Ever since the team has
been playing on the new diamond the
fans have been predicting that Doc
would land one over the wall one of
these days. but IL did not happen until
the eighth inning yesterday. when Doc
sent a line drive to right, which cleared
the fence by feet. This Is the first ball
that has been hit over the fence on a
line Joe Jackson's drive bounded over.
L don't understand how any fair-mind-
ed individual can criticise George Nc
Brides work, as has been done by some
of the spectators recently. remarked
Manager McAleer this morning. Il don't
know as any team can boast or better
shortstop, q more intelligent player or q
more loyal one. Mcbride Is always In
the game and giving the team the best
he has. No man who sees him play can
fail TO appreciate his services TO the team.
and | believe that most OF the managers
in the American League will agree with
me when / say that / prefer Mcbride
10 any shortstop playing In this league.
Everything considered. he has no SUI
perior. II there is player who does not
deserve 10 be criticised it Is Mcbride.
who does his work without any fiourishes
and is in the game every day..
II seems a pity that a player who is as
natural a hitter as Frank Laporte should
not be able to hold his own in the field.
ILaporte though he has been tried In both
the in and outfield, has never been strong
enough In a fielding way to hold his own,
though as a hitter he Is one of the hard
est in the country. He has been par
ticularly successful against the Nationals
pitchers during the present series.