Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-20
BY j. ED GRILLO.

BY j. ED GRILLo.
That Washington has ball team which
is far superior to any that has ever rep
resented this city in the American League
was proved to the satisfaction of the
thousands who witnessed yesterday
opening. Not that the victory over the
Athletics went to prove anything, :or
almost any team could have won that
game supported by such brilliant pitching
as johnson furnished. but the general
work of the team was of so much higher
standard than any displayed by local
aggregation in recent years that 1t was
plain that Griffith has team which is
sure to be something more than door
mat for its rivals.
In yesterdays contest the worlds cham
pions were outclassed, primarily because
they could not solve the delivery OF the
Idaho Wonder, while the locals were hit
ting timely and getting runs with ease.
But ever since the season has opened the
Nationals have given strong evidence OF
Improvement even when they have been
beaten. There Is a pleasing dash about
their work which has usually been lac &
ing, while the smoothness of their play
gives much promise.
less it seems to have been changed to
one of aggresSivenesS and speed. There
seems to be real interest among the play
ers and they no longer go into game be-
lieving that they are to suffer another de-
feat. No team could have given a better
exhibition than did the Nationals yester-
day. Even a worlds champion squad
would have to lower it's colors before such
brilliant work. Johnson was at his best
Behind him the team usually has every
confidence and ii did particularly formida-
BILE work yesterday. OF course, thing are
not always going to be as they were yes
terday, but there seems to be no question
about the Improvement that has been
made i'm the team. 1t is decidedly strong
er and while no predictions have been
made for it, it is assured that 1t will be
harder to beat this year than 1t ever
has been before.
Walter Johnson should have the most
successful season of his career this year.
In the first place it is the first spring that
ne has been at his best right from the
outset. and a remarkable Improvement in
his general work is noticeable Johnson
no longer relies on mere force to win MS
games. He has become finished pitcher.
Four years of experience has not lessen
ed his natural ability. but has rid him of
faults which every young pitcher Is handi-
capped by. Today Johnson is a finished
artist in every respect. Barring accident,
he will place himself among the leading
pitchers of the country in the matter of
q winning percentage, even though his
team be not among the pennant con-
tenders. Yesterday the first time in
a long while that Johnson has been in a
game in which his team secured 50 good
a lead that he did not have to work at
full speed all the distance During the
latter innings he was able to take it
. easy. OF the five games the Nationals
have played this season. Johnson has
pitched three. Two of these were vic
tories and the other would have been but
a m which
cost him the opening game of the season
at Philadelphia.
There does not seem to be any need for
worrying about the Nationals first base.
Jack Flynn, on what he has shown since
the season opened, Is undoubtedly the
most valuable man the team has ever had
for that position, and the chances are
that he will soon convince Manager Crit
fifth that there Is no need for negotiating
for Gandil of Montreal or any one else.
Like most Of the players on the local
team, Flynn did not start to show his
real worth until the season opened. but
since then he has delivered the goods be-
yond question. In the games played away
from home Flynn hit the ball hard, but
was unfortunate in falling to get 1t safe.
Yesterday he broke into the base hit
column with a vengeance. and his hitting
had much to do with giving the locals an
easy victory over the champions.
When Jack knight gets into form and
begins to hit as he ought the team should
show to much better advantage offensive
ly speaking. Knight is not yet hitting
the ball. He has not had the seasoning
that have the Others but he Is sure to
improve with every game. A glance at
the batting order as now made up in
dicates that no pitcher can feel safe
when facing the locals. There are lot
of fast men and good hitters in the line
up. which promises to bring about un-
expected results.
Dan Moeller hit in bad luck yesterday
Two line drives either Of which might
have been good for three bases. II not the
circuit. were captured by Oldring in right
center. and he did not have to move more
than step to make the plays. When
Moeller begins to meet the ball regularly
he is bound to get on the bases q good
deal, for he is one of the fastest runners
in the league
Dixie Walker and Jack Coombs will
probably oppose each other In the game
today. Walker Is in good form this
spring. and is sure to give a good account
OF himself against the Athletics.
Mack seems to have picked up a good
young catcher in Egan. He seems to fill
the bill to perfection. having a. good posi-
ton at the bat and strong throwing arm
and being a good receiver. Egan is tall
youngster who looks as II he could do a
lot of work during a season.
Howard Shanks was the victim of a
serious accident during batting practice
before yesterdays game. While batting
against Joe Engel be stepped into fast
ball, which struck him just below the
left temple, rendering him unconscious
He was in q bad way for several hours
but seemed much better this morning.
Guy johnson. the young pitcher Sc
cured from Vandalia. ILL.,, has been farm
ed out to the Allentown club. where Bill
Coughlin. the former captain of the De-
troit Tigers. Is managing. Johnson Is ex-
pected to develop into a high-class pitch
er by next spring. and will undoubtedly
be recalled by Griffith
There was but one inning-the seventh
when Brown was able to keep the Ma
tonals off the bases. But the youngster
SDoks Impressive for all that. and proved
, It when he scored victory over the
tPhillies during the recent interleague Sc
ries in Philadelphia.
Vice President Sherman threw the ball
out of his box just before the game
started. Mr.. Sherman has not forgotten
how 20 throw. for i'm his young days he
was a player of some note.
Strunk, i'm left. had his troubles with thu
sun and wind. and 1t was his inability tc
follow Ainsmith's little fly In the NTH
which put the game on ice for the Nation.
ais. The bases were full when Ainsmitt