The Washington herald., 1912-04-03
FANS UP In ARMS
FOR Big BLUNDER
OYER TWIRLERS
Matty Did Not Oppose Walter
johnson, as Advertised
in the Press.
SHAKE-UP TO-DAY SURE

That Christy Mathewson did not op-
pose Walter Johnson in the concrete
coliseum yesterday left a bad taste ir
the mouths OF many local baseball fans
and for the good OF the game here II i
hoped the incident will rot be repeated.
Manager Grifith himself announced
that McGraw would work his great
twirler for five innings, and that the
Washington club would send in johnson
This fact was published in all the local
newspapers, and hundreds of fans turned
out yesterday just to see these pitchers
in action, many fans doubtless losins
half a days pay.
Somebody blundered. and the Washing
ton baseball club cannot afford TO Jockey
with the public, for Capital fans have
ever been generous with their patronage
and IL is doubtful IL any city I'm the Big
leagues would stand behind a taiI-end
club day after day as Washingtonians
have done these many years.
Unless Manager Grifith was sure. and
1t looks now as II he had not been def
nitely assured. that Matty would pitch.
he should never have told the newspa-
pers that johnson and Mathewson would
work part OF yesterdays game. McGraw
claims he did not inform Grin that
Matty would pitch.
The writer called on McGraw last night,
and the scrappy New York leader made
the following statement: 'Grifith is
running the Washington baseball club;
he is not running my team. I will pitch
whom / see ht. These exhibition games
are merely for practice, and do not count
with me. 1 don't care whether we draw
hon haI
not playing them to make money. Had
Matty been feeling right and the weather
warm. i possibly might have sent him in
for few innings. The facts of the case
are that no manager in the country can
make me play anybody on my club do
not wish TO have in the game"
When the Nationals take to the field
this afternoon for the second game with
the Giants. 1t is likely that Big Carl
Cashion and Dixie Walker will do the
twirling. Manager Gritfith stated last
night that he did not know whom he
would pitch.
IL the weather is warm and pleasant,
there Is a chance that Christy Mathew
son will twirl for the Giants. Big
Teserau and CrandaIl are also about due.
and may be ordered TO toe the slab.
Manager Grir1th also plans TO shake
up his infield for to-day's game. He
will in all probability give Jack knight
a chance. and IL Dan Moeller's shoulder
permits the Rochester recruit will hold
down left field.
None Of the New Yorkers had ever
faced Walter johnson before yester-
days game, and the big fellows twirling
-
after dinner.
was apparent that Johnson was not
in shape yet. but the New Workers to a
man were impressed, and several said,
II wish we had Inn with our club; We
would breeze through that National
League SO fast this season that by Dec
oration Day the pennant would be won
by q big margin"
a spectator at yesterdays game. and had
a chat with Manager Griffith. Lush is
after a couple Of ball players. but said
he did not think Griff would let him have
the men he wanted. The Montreal boys
are occupying the quarters at Charlottes-
Vile where the Nationals held forth, and
according to Mapager Lush, the con-
ditions are ideal.
Evidently the Baseball Writers Asso-
citation OF America does not mean any
thing with the man who takes up tickets
at the press gate. for John B. Foster, Of
the New York Telegram. one OF the best
known baseball writer's IN the country.
was beautifully turned down when he
presented his pass for admission. After
Mr.. Foster had been identified he was
admitted.