Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-28
BY ]. ED GRILLO.

If John Somerlot does not come up to
expectations as the Nationals first base
man Doc Gessler is slated for trial on
bag No l. And the position is not
new to Doc, either. He played 1t Tor
the Brooklyn team several years ago
and was Frank Chances substitute while
he was q member of the Cubs. 1t may
be that Doc will never get chance to
show there. for the opinion is growing that
Somerlot will make good, but IL any
thing should happen Gessler would be
given the preference over both Lelivelt
and John Henry, who have had no
experience on the bag and would require
a long time to teach them how 1t should
be played.
Gessler is far from being a poor first
baseman. He would undoubtedly have
played that position regularly had it not
been his misfortune to always be on
team where that place was well taken
care Of. His hitting would be desirable
on the local infield if McAleer should be
fortunate enough to find couple Of fast.
hard-hitting running mates for Clyde
Milan in the outfield.
There has been a change made in the
time for the Nationals to depart from
lOI AlIdutd next SATURDAY
Instead OF leaving here at 1875 at night
McAleer will pull out on the 4:45 after
noon train. This will get the squad in
Atlanta before noon Sunday morning.
There is quite fight on for Jake
Sta.hrs shoes on the Boston team. Dono-
van is trying out Jack ThOney, Bill Car
rfgan, Hugh Bradley, Myers and Hack"
Engel. Now, it does not seem likely that
Carrigan can be spared from behind the
N 70 IA G~o
is known Of Myers and Thoney is not tall
enough for the place. The man best fitted
for the place seems TO be Engel. He
proved last season that he was good on
ground balls when he played third. He
Is of right size and may make a crack
ing good man for the place.
For young man Walter Johnson is
about as wise as any player in base ball.
Notice that since he has been at Hot
ming in one OF the several exhibition
games which have been played there. He
warns up before the game and then
plays the outfield. but he is not straining
games there have been anxious to see
Johnson pitch, but he very wisely avoids
putting any strain on his arm this early
In the year. He Is getting himself in per-
feet physical condition and giving his
arm just enough work to make 1t strong.
and not until he reports at Atlanta will
he begin to work his arm out and get it
ready for the seasons work. Johnson
realizes that his principal asset is his
pitching arm. If he can keep it strong
and well for five or six years more he
win be Independently rich, and, unlike
most young players, he Is not taking any
chances of injuring it by showing off for
the benefit Of crowd. McAleer did not
have to caution johnson how to take care
OF himself while at Hot Springs, for he
knew that when it comes down to taking
care OF himself Johnson does not need
any advice.
Hugh Jennings is undoubtedly right
when he says that a ball player of the
Cobb type Is more valuable to a team
than pitcher like Walter Johnson, and
at that Jennings considers Johnson the
making Of the greatest pitcher the game
has ever produced.
But he argues that while johnson would
probably win twenty-five or thirty games
of ball for team like the Tigers. Cobb
wins an equal number by his hitting,
more. Cobb can be figured on playing in
most all the games, while Johnson
would not take part in more than forty.
On the other hand, if johnson should in
jure his arm he would be useless, while
even IL Cobb met with an injury he
would still be valuable to team because
OF his hitting.
Connie Mack. the foxy leader OF the
most entirely with Jennings views on the
matter has one belief that differs with
that of Hughey. Mack thinks that a
pitcher OF the Johnson type is far more
valuable to a second division team or
losing team than Cobb would be. He
also believes that Cobb is Of more value
to a winning or first division team than
Johnson. Here Is the way Connie puts it:
LAS a rule second division team is
generally a bit shy on pitching. The
opposition is usually able to make four.
five or six runs a day on the average
of its pitchers. On such teams men like
Cobb do not show to advantage as they
do on winning club. One, two and
three runs are often enough to win a
of pitchers. With such club. Cobb's
frequent dashes that net a run play the
deciding part in the game.
"A fair club with a star pitcher is
always hard to beat, as Is proved when
! Johnson is on the mound for Washing
ton. That club with the big Swede
doing the twirlinF is one of the tough
League" according to the wise Connie.
Fans always like to see Johnson per-
form: he is a far greater card on losing
team than Cobb. consequently he is a
much better money getter. which is
something every losing club is generally
trife shy on
guardian of the pass gate at the ball
park will look after the ationals bust
ness interests during their stay at At
lata, thus relieving Manager McAleer of
these duties. Business Manager Fowler
will be too busy here to make the trip