Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-20
COMMISSION AWARDS SMITH
TO CLARKE GRIFFITH'S TEAM
McAleer's Negotiations for Big Pitcher
Come to an End-Litte Chance for
Nationals to Brace Up Just Yet.
sn.ci,l Tssr,trh u The star

Special dispatch - The star
CLEVELAND. Ohio May 2o-No ono
realizes more than Manager Jim McAleer
that the Washington pitching staff IS not
rp to tho standard u should he, espe-
ciaUy since Walter johnson. the star Of
'em all has been OF the hospital list
With this ever IN mind, Is II TO he Won
dered at that McAleer IS looking about
in an effort - strengthen hts fnginS
corps? When ~ learned that John J.
TAYLOR Of Boston intended 70 market
Frank Smith. the hi= piano mover. who
did such good work for the Chicago White
Soy for \ term of wears, Jim got In com
Inunication with John Immediately For
a time Il looked If Smith would wear
National uniform within few days
But John T. Is Changeahle as the
weather. and the present time he
doesn't know just what he wants to do
McAIeer stood ready to take Smith off
Roston's hands 1t a reasonable figure.
but now comes the news that Smith has
been awarded to Cincinnati
Tho condition of McAleer1 pitching
staff j such that Jim does not know from
one dan to the next ~ almost an hour
before a contest whom to pitch. Hughes
tried his hand Thursday ard GOT bumped
to g. although II was not all Long
Toms fault McAIeer decided. with John
son out of the running and Hughes I'M
able to beat tho Maps. the other right
handlers didn't stand much chance against
them. and concluded he would give
Southpaw Dolly Gray chance to show
Friday. Dolly looked all 10 the good for
FIVE innings. but then the little ball OF
yarn commenced to unwind. The Maps
scored five runs in the sixth inning aided
and abetted by two red-hair decisions at
first by Jack Sheridan.
Pop Arson than whom there never was
a much better first sacker. was spec
tator at the game. and expressed himself
that Jimmy McAleer's boys got all the
worst of il when Sheridan ruled Olson
safe at first after Ole had swung at three
strikes and then raced for first on Ain
smiths throw. True. the catcher's throw
was trifie high and pulled Schaefer off
the bag. but 1t looked as If the Dutch
man got his foot back on before Olson
landed there In that same round Aim
smith made a perfect play on Easterly's
hunt, which bounded high. and Arson
was of the opinion that the throw to
Schaefer had Easterly beaten a stride.
but Sheridan couldn't ssee ii that way.
AS Jackson had been given a life on a
felder's choice in between this pair of
rulings. the bases were filled and sin
gle by StovaIl and doubles by Birming
nam and Smith Melted five runs.
DIXIE walker broke INTO the IimeHght
Immediately following Smiths smash and
thereafter not hit was registered by the
Maps. although eight men faced him. Nc
Aleer's face beamed with delight for
Dixie showed more in pitching way
than at any time this season. and the
Nationals leader is hopeful that Walker
will be able to pitch every fourth day
from now on.
Had Gray gotten away with his games
McAleer intended to send Otey against
the Maps Saturday. but now he is de-
batting with himself whether TO use Otey
Groom or Sherry. The Nationals had no
chance against Hardness swell pitching
The Nap hurler was wild, issuing passes
in five different innings, but McAleer's
boys had apparently lost their batting op-
tics, and the best they could do with their
clubs was to garner three hits and one
run to the Maps ten bingles and seven
runs
McAleer has thus far had no word from
'Gabby Street since that great catcher
went home couple of weeks ago to
nurse a fractured thumb. Although Street
is not with the team, his influence is in
evidence every day that the Nationals
play. Washington Is known as hard
club for pitchers on its pay roll who
wish to make records for control The
team works a peculiar system of nipping
base runners on other clubs. Street, who
II is said, would rather miss a pay dav
than have pilfered base charged up