The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-03-24

ing the past few days has shown Man
ager McAleer a lot of real stuff, and
looks better every time he works.
Bussey is no spring chicken by a long
shot, and has refused to let out until
just recently, SO that nobody knew just
what he could do. Bussey not only has
fine control, but his curve ball is a puz-
zler: in fact the veterans think he will
prove to be just as good as Doc Reisling.
Many are wondering what Manager Nc
Aleer intends doing with Doc Ralston.
as the fleet outficlder has not been play
ing with either the Regulars or Sham
rocks, and warns the bench when the
games start. 1t is limited that Ralston
will be turned over to the Atlanta club
this summer for development
In a direct line with the batter there
is big bank Of red clay towering up
Some 200 feet at Ponce De Leon Park.
and several of the Nationals claim the
clay bank interfereS with their hitting
to marked degree. Doc GesSler is the
lOudes: calamity bowler and says, IF
they would only remove that bank of
red dirt l might be able to do something
It's my hoodoO, all right
So close and exciting have been the
|
fans are fockins to the park in goodly
numbers every morning. On Monday
there was easily 500 interested specta-
tors in the grand stand. almost as many
as Paid real money to get in last Sat
urday.
As i matter of fact. all the practice
games have been harder fought and bet
! ter played than the exhibition contests
between Georgia Tech and the Crackers.
An old-time Atlanta fan drifted into
the KimbalI House. where the Nationals
are stopping. and inquired if Jimmy Nc
AI,cr was about. The writer happened
to know that Manager Jim was at the
thcatcr. and 50 informed the fan.
I'm sorry. l wanted &c see Jim and
shake hands with him for old times
sake l knew him when he played down
in this Jart of the country" the man
replied.
The writer inquired in n surprised tone
how long ago that might be. and was
, promptly called down for not knowing
the past history of the Nationals boss.
| Said the fan: Away back in 1886
Jimmy MCAlecr was the center fielder for
the Charleston. s. g.. Cub, and made
distinct hit right from the getaway. For
some unaCCOuntable reason, Frank CuSh-
/ lldGl. lllt llldIdS ger VI Ult tluD Iiilblbtu
/ A strong prejudice against the tall and
t&citurn yOungster, and seemed deter
mined not to give him an even break.
But McAIeer WAS too fast for a minor
league. and subsequently joined the
Cievelands, where his work for years
| was never surpassed by any Outfielder
! known to baseball. barring nobody.
Il have followed McAieer all these
years. ! lived in Charleston then. and
took a liking to the youngster from the
start; also told CuShman he was a blank
city blank fool for letting McAleer out"
The veteran fan said he would be
I around again in a dav or so, for he
: was determined to see MCAleer once
! again and shake him by the hand.
Pitcher Bill Otey. the lanky six-foot
southpaw who was obtained by the Ma
ttionas late last season. and who is show
ing up to advantage here in Atlanta,
was given a trial with the Pittsburg
club. of the National League. for about
minute in 1901 He did not stay with
the Pirates long. for they farmed him
out TO Rochester, and from that city he
dropped back to the Virginia League.
| Otey declares that PittSburg will rue
| the day they let him go. He is one of
those youngsters who possesses unbound
ed confidence in his ability to deliver
the goods. and at present gives indica-
tons OF coming across. McAlecr has
every right to hope that Otey will be one
Of our very best little performers during
the coming campaign.
I'm taking things easy down here"
said Otey to the writer. and do not
want to get into shape until the season
opens You see, I have no weight to
take off. and my arm is getting stronger
every day
Tom Hughes. Gabby Street and Wal
ter johnson are the moving picture show
bugs and make the circuit nearly every
night after dinner The picture show
houses in Atlanta are luxurious and
roomy and most of them are equipped
with pipe organs for the sob stuff.
| CLYDE Milan is a great believer in coco
cola He declares that this beverage
should not only be a household necessity
but that it is the greatest ever for brain
| workers and tired out ball players.
| If Bob Groom does not win the major
ity of his games this coming season he
will be the most disappointed finger in
! the world. "All l ask is a fair show
from the Washington fans. I'll come
across with the stuff" says the lanky
twirler.
Groom last summer won more games
away from home than at National Park.
| For some unknown reason the fans in
| Washington are not friendly toward
| Groom, and when he works if things
happen to break badly he is roasted to
| whisper.
Sir Robert is peculiarly sensitive to crit
| icism. and when the knockers get busy
he goes right up in the air.
In justice to Groom, the Washington
fans should give him their support this
| season. The club will win more games
| in the long run il they do.
ball rooters are just the same, and one
| hears many original and unique express
sions. During the game here Saturday,
| when the Nationals were playing the At
| lanta club, a fan in the bleachers yelled
1 Put 'em out, or we'll call the fire de-
| partmenti" This was shouted in bull
| frog bass voice during the fifth inning
| when it began to look as IL the Nationals
were going to bat all day.
Tom Akers, the well-known Atlanta
scribe, says of Ainsmith: This Ainsmith
man looks like some backstopper, all
right. His work and his throwing are ex-
cellent Also he hits the ball with ear
| nestness and conviction
McEINNITv pPEAYc ADM