The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-07-11
Nationals Have Won Half Their
Games by Overcoming
Big Leads.
HUGHES AND KNAPP TODAY

How many Washington teams in sea-
sons past would try to buck a six-run
lead after the first inning and work their
heads of to land a victory as did the
Nationals against Cleveland yesterday?
Don't all answer at once. One at a
time. please.
Yes, that's right. Oldest inha bitant has
the dope-he can't remember any until
this year.
Baseball writer's in New York, experts
they call themselves turned out In num-
bers last Saturday to see the Washing
ton team which kicked up such a dust
throughout the West. They wanted to
know the answer. also determine for
themselves II the Nationals had a chance
for the American League pennant.
The Gotham writer's pointed out be-
fore the game that Washington stood
next 10 last in both team hitting and
fielding, and that they must be an I'M
usually lucky ball club to win SO many
games.
The combat against the Highlanders
resulted in r victory for Griffrs Climbers
after stifr uphill fight. but the Wash
ington youngsters displayed so much
speed on the bases. hit the ball at the
right time. and did not overlook single
opportunity that even the wiseaCres OF
Gotham had 70 admit that, after all. II
might be just as well to keep an eye on
that bunch under the tutelaSe Of Clark
Griffith.
Nearly one-fourth Of the Nationals
victories this season have been won
against odds. just as yesterdays game
was landed, and il was simply case of
fight, fight. fight every minute.
No ms{1ager in the Capital has ever
developed such a team as the present
Nationals under Grin. and the Old Fox
deserves the glory. He has worked hard
and faithfully, shown good Judgment in
every move. and established absolute
harmony in the ranks.
Local fans have been generous in their
patronage this season.
This is as It should be, for the club
deserves the support OF every loyal fan
in the District.
Griff may not win the pennant this sea-
soh, but keep your eye on him next year.
One reason why Bob Groom did not
look good yesterday was because the
lanky finger needs lot of work to keep
him in shape and he has not b. n getting
it the past week owing to an injury, con-
seQuently Sir Robert made poor show
ing yesterday.
The chances are that Groom will pitch
against the Maps on Friday. and II he
is right il will not be the lanky finger
who has to be lifted in the first inning.
Visiting teams this season have never
considered Buzz Foster a dangerous hit
ter and seldom worried about him, but
the Midget yesterday scored a pair OF
runs, paving the way for the tallies by
extra base hits
Other players on the washington cIuo
are held cheaply by the teams who come
here, as subsequent results have shown.
Shanks and Morgan have both broken up
games with opportune drives, and this is
one reason why the Nationals are WIN
ming, for one of Grifcs youngsters is
liable TO come through with blow any
old time when hits are needed.
1t was not like this in the olden days
II is possible that Tom hughes Will
start to-days- game in the box for the
Nationals. while either Knapp or Vean
Gregg will perform for the Naplanders.
Cleveland's fault seems to be lack OF
Pepper and fighting spirit. The club is
easily discouraged. and its catching de-
partment is not as strong as It might be.
Washington yesterday was the only
Eastern club able to repel Western in
vaders. St. Louis took fall out of the
leaders, Boston; Chicago walloped the
Athletics, while Detroit kicked the stats
out of New York.
Manager Grifith was chased from the
bench early in yesterdays game for Yell
ing at Umpire silk O'Loughlin. calling
the jumps attention to the fact that Ted
Easterly. in the second inning. when the
Maps catcher made his home run, had
failed TO touch the initial sack.
The Nationals seemed TO play with add
ed frenzy and Wgor because their chief
had been banIshed TO the cooler.
L La Il