Evening star., 1912-08-27
BY ]. ED GRILLo.

The ruling which charges Walter John
son with a defeat because of the part he
played in the second game is hardly fair
and just to the great pitcher. The runs
which were scored while Johnson was OH
the slab were made possible by his prede-
cessor who was responsible for two men
being on the bases when Johnson was put
into the game. Johnson had to assume a
great handicap. He was put into game
at a time when the opposing team threat
ened to score, and in order to get credit
for victory he would have had TO go
through that inning without allowing
run. though there were two on the bases
and none out. On the face of the propo-
sition which confronted Johnson. it is not
fair to blame him for the defeat. Had he
started the inning the hit made off
him would not have amounted to any
thing. AS it was, the hit proved produc-
tive. sending home two runners who were
on the bases when Johnson started to
pitch.
The unfairness of such a ruling only
strengthens the belief that new system
for crediting pitchers will have to be
adopted.
But the breaking of Johnson's winning
streak is not near as serious matter as
the loss of the game.
There is glory enough in the fact that
Johnson now holds the American League
record for consecutive games won. He
would probably have established new
worlds record but for the bad break he
got yesterday, but it is all In the game
and matters little though. of course,
there is considerable disappointment as
a result.
On three different occasions this season
Big Ed Walsh has beaten Boston, and
yet Walsh is not considered as great a
pitcher as Johnson. Johnson has beaten
the Red Sox twice this season, and then
when he was not in his present high
form. On dope Johnson figures to beat
the leaders when they hook up, providing,
of course, that he gets the break in the
way of good support and. his team can
score a couple Of runs for him. II the
Nationals can close some of the gap
which exists between them and Boston
Walter Johnson may prove the stumbling
block for the leaders before the race is
much older.
Managers of ball teams should event
ually learn that there is nothing to be
gained by changing right-handed hit
ters for left-handefs when left-hRnded
pitcher is slated to oppose their teams.
The fact remains that competent left
handler is just as effective against the
right t-handed hitters as he Is against the
left-handers. and this is being proven
most every day, yet few managers stand
pat on their line-ups SO far as left-handed
hitters are concerned when a southpaw Is
to pitch.
Browns famed eight men. yet seven of
the players who were retired in this fash
ion were right-handers, Milan being the
only left-handed hitter to fall by this
route. What is more 1t has been shown
that those left-handed hitters. Ike Obj.
Milan and Jackson. who are not taken out
Of the game. are just as effective against
left t-handers as they are against right
handlers. because, by being allowed to
face them from time to time, they become
acpuStOmad to their delivery.
1t is no wonder that the contending
teams in the National League race fear
Washington more than any of the other
American League teams which stand a
chance to land the pennant The presence
of Walter Johnson on the local team Is
responsible for this. Among ball players
johnson is the greatest pitcher ever. His
reputation has been almost entirely built
up on the praise which opposing players
have given him. He is the one pitcher
who is considered invncible. and II is
figured that In series like that which is
played for the worlds title Johnson could
come pretty near to winning, II single
handed and alone. Johnson presen; on the