Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-23
BY J. ED GRILLo.

Splendid as has been the showing Of
the Nationals during the first ten days
OF the season. the fact should not be
overlooked that their success has been
almost entirely due to the defensive
strength displayed by the team. Often
sively there, has really been little ac-
complished. Base hits have been scarce
and run-getting proclivities decidedly con-
spicuous by their absence. True, there
are instances on record where ball teams
have been prominent in pennant races,
and even bagged the flag, which were de-
cidedly weak with the stick. and owed
their success almost entirely to their
defensive strength, defensive strength
on ball team being pitching. catching
and fielding in general The Chicago
White Sox, in 1905, were a glaring illus
tration of how team which could not
hit could still win a pennant. Though
last Of the eight teams in hitting, Fielder
Jones crew won the championship that
year and then followed this surprise by
giving the Cubs a severe drubbing in the
worlds series, set OF games In which
the White Sox made more hits than they
had in any IKE number OF games during
the regular championship season.
But the average team which wins pen
nants or is a factor in a race cuts some
figure extensively during a season: Of
fensively consisting Of hitting and base
running.
All things considered, the hitting Of the
locals has been weak, but 1t has been their
good fortune to date to have such excellent
pitching on most occasions that drove
of runs was not necessary to win ball
games OF course, SO long as the pitch
ers are holding opposing teams down to
a run or two, the Nationals will stand
an excellent chance of continuing their
winning streak, but this is not to be
expected Of any corps of pitchers. or
course the batting may improve, though
1t seems that with only one or two ex-
ceptiOns, every man In the lineup Is
about hitting up to his standard. Cum
ningham is not yet in form, and he
slow beginner. But the others, the
players on whom the heavy work with
the stick Is expected from, are about
going along at a clip that is normal.
Give McAleer just a little mOresbatting
strength and he would have team which
would make every team In the league
hustle. He may do 1t without q change
being made or an ounce OF strength
added. but the burden will then devolye
upon the pitchers. Judged on what the
'twirlers have shown McAleer appears well
fortified in this respect, but where a
pitcher has to go at top speed the entire
route every time out. cannot make a
wobble without endangering his game. the
strain often becomes too great and he
gives away under it. So it Is best not
to aspire too high this season. Washing
! ton promises to have a team which II
not a factor in the first division Is going
| to be a trouble maker and stands a
| chance to finish in front OF three of its
| rivals. But too high q place should not be
!! picked for it. 1t won't be a tailender. nor
will 1t ever be humiliatingly defeated, but
| when 1t is compared with three or four
| Of the teams that 1t must struggle against
| 1t Is not hard to realize that nothing but
| n remarkable season OF pitching Ter.
| formanoes car allow tho Nationals Il
1rsAk into tho Arst Division. and yeE 4