Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-26
BY J. ED GRILLO.

Jim McAleer will consider himself for
tunate if he gets one man to help mis-
team out of the squad of youngsters he
took south for trials this spring, and
yet II cannot be said that Fate has been
particularly severe on him, for 1t is
doubtful if any of the other seven clubs
are going to be blessed with any sensa-
tionaI Youngsters this spring.
The New York club, for instance, led
It's followers to believe last winter that
Hal Chase would have the pick Of the
greatest lot of recruits that any major
league club had ever picked up, but
judging from reports from the Yankees
training camp there is considerable doubt
whether or not any of them will make
good.
Go all the way down the line and
between the lines of the reports sent out
from the training places of the American
League clubs there seems to be nothing
TO occasion great enthusiasm over the
showing Of any of the youngsters.
In most instances the players who are
making GOOD are those who We're with
their respective teams last fall. Players
purchased who reported and established
themselves last fall are still holding
their own, but 1t Is only in rare in
reported this spring is making d favor
able impression.
The chances are that when all is done
and said McAleer will have done about
as Well in the selecting of young material
as any of his rivals.
Indications are that one of his young
0utfielders will he held on the team. This
seems to be Corbin: Bussey shows signs
of being pitcher who can make himself
useful and it has long since been decioed
to carry Bunting for utility purposes.
That is not so poor a showing after all,
though there will be some disappointment
because every one interested in the Ma
tionals had hoped that there would be
another Milan in the bunch that was
taken south. But players of the Milan
type are not picked ur every day. If
they We're. base bail would be improved
100 per cent artistically speaking. So
barring perhaps the appearance for time
of Corbln in the outfield, McAleer Will
virtually have the same aggregation with
which he finished last fall and that team
was 10 per cent stronger than the one
he started out with.
The acquisition of Henry, Afnsmith and
Cunningham was a ten strike. for it is
doubtful if any other club in the league
picked UP a more valuable trio in a single
grab out of the bag. These players are
bound 10 make a considerable difference
in the team. To begin with every one
of them will be of more value this year
than last, their first experience in fast
company.
Unfortunately not one of them is an
Outfielder. for one cannot help but feel
bit dubious about the Nationals garden
ers since so much depends on the revival
of the batting eye of Doc Gessler and
improved fielding on the part of Lelivelt
But things may break we'll for McAleer
this year. Ii Gessler should regain that
lost batting stride it would make a world
of difference in the teams showing. The
lack of base hit cost any number OF
games last year and to the absence of
long fly many defeats can be attributed.
This would indicate that the pitching
and the defensive work were up to the
or two more were lacking or the team
would have galioped To the head OF the
second division and remained there.
There was not any great difference OF
opinion last fall as TO what the team
needed to make il 4 factor in the race.
IL was the consensus OF opinion that Nc
Aleer had the nucleus for good ball
team, but needed good player or two
more to round out his aggregation. There
| is nothing to indicate that such player
has been discovered. but he will not be
sadly missed If Gessier and Leliyelt have
a good year. There is not much chance
| for improving that infield. 1t has class
/ no matter whether Henry or SOnmerlot
plays first base. Cunningham will add
| considerable batting strength, while Nc
| Bride and Elberfeld are sure to class
with the best men in their respective po-
sitions in the league.
Then there are reasons for believing
| that the pitching staff will show consid-
| cradle improvement. Of course. We figure
ON Johnson, for II is not likely that the
! breach now existing between the club and
| the player will continue much longer
/ Hughes gives promise OF being of great
SERVICE and Walker can be. put down to