Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-09
BY J. ED GRILLo.

1t is rather strange that the average
patrdd of base ball lacks the confidence
in the manager of a team just as soon
as things are not going right. Let a few
games he lost and every nine out of ten
so-called fans will be there with sug-
gestion for changing the makeup Of the
team.
1t stands to reason that the individual
most vitality interested in teams sue
cess Is its manager, and whe nthat man
has had twenty-five years experience in
base ball it would be wise to display
some confidence in his judgment
But it is perhaps the reason for the
popularity of the sport that the spec
tators consider themselves capable of do
ing the managing. 1t is privilege which
goes with every admission ticket. Incl
dentally. it is but natural that the So
called fan should have no trouble con-
vincing himself of the logic of his argu-
ment when the team is not doing what it
should, but it also stands to reason that
the only way success can be attained is
to have one man use his judgment.
Without the slightest foundation the
rumor has been revived in New York that
the Yankees intend to trade Hal Chase
lot waiter Johnson, just as al
that was necessary was for that
club to say the word and the deal
would be closed. Just ON what basis
Chase can be figured as valuable player
as Johnson Is not plain. but they have
the idea in New York that anything they
want they can get for the asking.
There may be something doing so far
as Chase is concerned, for there may be
easons why he should not be retained,
but there will never be a day when he
n k~o1 nd fny Lob
RUDE Marquard promises to establish
even better record this year than he
did last. The big left handler. who did
not prove a success in the worlds series
last fall seems to be in better form this
spring than ever before. as is proved by
the fact that he has already annexed
five straight games, in none OF which he
guard going as he is and Mathewson sure
to round into form with the warm
weather, McGraw is again well fortified
with pitchers. for two such performers
are sure to carry a team along at a fast
pace.
Boston and Detroit are about in the
same boat. Both are good hitting teams
but they lack the pitching strength to be
figured contenders Jennings is perhaps
while the failure of O'Brien of the Red
Sox to live up to his reputation has been
a series setback for the Boston aggrega-
ton. Even hitting teams which have
speed and field splendidly cannot protect
themselves against weak pitching, and
the pennant has never been won by a
team which could not boast Of one or two
stars on the slab.
Just why pitchers of great ability are
frequently pounded to all corners of the
lot even though they apparently have
everything that goes to make them win
ners is one Of the unexplainable freaks
of the game. Some days it is impossible
for pitcher to keep the ball away from
the opponents bats, may he try ever sc
hard, while on other days when he is in
absolutely no form he is not hit at all
1t is these uncertainties that do much
to make base ball the most popular sport
The chances are that when the votes
are counted at the end of the week
there will be no more games started here
at O'Clock. The general public is in
favor of an earlier start as is attested
crowd leaves the park every day in
about the seventh inning. regardless of
what the situation may be. The o'clock
program brings late dinners and other in
cOnvenienceS, which can easily be
avoided. and there is little doubt that
the patrons of the game will express
themselves forcibly on this subject by
means of the present ballot.
Looks now as II c. Leftius Russell, SILL
600 lemon twirler with the Mackerels,
worlds champions. might come through
and prove Connie Mack'S wisdom in
hanging on to him. Russelfs good work
against the Cerise Hose of Garland ia
cobus Stahl Of Boston. has boosted his