Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-24
BY J. ED GRuLO.

There does not seem to be any further
doubt about Walter Johnson having
rounded into form. His last two games,
in which but one run has been scored off
OF his delivery. would indicate this, and
barring accident Johnson can be relied
upon to be the same winning pitchers that
he has been heretofore
When Johnson demanded 5000 per sea-
son there were many who believed that
his price was exorbtant, and yet when
his work is compared with that of the
other members of McAleer's pitching
staff 1t seems clear that there is good
reason for Johnson insisting upon draw
ing the big salary.
Now that he Is in form it is to be
hoped that he will be used more often
than he has been to date. Johnson has
been given every consideration by Nc
Aleer during the present campaign. Re-
aliZing that he was not in good condition
he has worked him only after giving him
many days rest. To date the big fellow
has appeared in nineteen games of ball.
eleven of which he has won. With nearly
four months Of the season over this has
been decidedly light work. and no doubt
1t will be the intention to allow the pa
irons OF the game to see more of him
from this out. Johnson's record to date.
considering the low standing OF his team
and the fact that he has only shown good
form recently, is most remarkable and
now that he is himself again he is very
apt to finish the season with a higher
percentage than lie has ever had before.
There is every reason for believing that
the figures given out in the purchase Of
Pitcher OToole by Pittsburg from St.
Paul were no. in the least inflated, for
there were no less than six clubs bidding,
SO that 1t was possible for the youngSter
to bring the enormous figure of 81. $50
quarter of century ago when the first
Of the big deals was pulled off. including
the transfer of the Big Four-Brouthers,
Richardson. Rowe and White-it was the
sensation of the day, and yet only $4,000
changed hands in that transaction. More
than twice that much was paid for
O'Toole. youngster who still has to
show that he can hold his own in mai or
league company. Incidentally, this enor-
nous price shows how great the compe-
tition for ball players is today, and how
little chance a club which Is not we'll for
tilted with cash can compete with its
stronger rivals. OF course, IL OTooe
proves the pitcher he is believed to be
the investment will prove a good one. for
to have a winning team these days means
hundreds of thousands Of dollars profit
in q single season
Clarence Walker displays enough every
now and then to warrant the prediction
that he will develop into a valuable ball
player The fact should never be over
looked that he is still a mere boy. with
hardly years experience in base ball.
so that the chances of his gradually i'm
proving are decidedly in his favor. The
best feature of the Spartanburg young
ster's work is the fact that he hustles
all the time and is a natural fielder. Up
to date he has been hitting In streaks.
There are some pitchers who make him
look like novice. while he makes others
look rather easy This is to be expected
from boy just breaking in, but II he
has the stuff in him which it is believed
he has he will shoy to much better ad-
vantage by the time the present season
Is over.
The four straight games which New
York won from Detroit Is one Of the pecu-
liar upsets which the game frequently fur
nishes. In those four games the Tigers
were actually outplayed by the team