The Washington herald., 1912-09-02
RIVALRY INTENSE
BETWEEN LOCALS
And ATHLETICS
Nationals and Mackmen Clash To-
day in Two Games-Johnson
and Plank Carded.
OTHER SPORTING GOSSIP
BY WILLIAM PEET.


Ever since Frank Baker knocked the
ball over the left field fence in Phila-
delphia against Tom Hughes, breaking
the Nationals winning streak after
eighteen games in a row were hung UP,
there has been a feeling in the local
camp that amounts to something more
than rivalry-it is a mad desire to win
from the White Elephants, just to show
them why Washington is entitled TO
higher place in the American League
standing than the Mackmen.
That game will never be forgotten by
the members of Griffs family, nor the
be recalled that Mack's club again made
the Nationals eat humble pie.
The cry Immediately went up that the
Athletics had appointed themselves the
official keeper Of the Nationals goat"
This gang from the sleepy city is here
to-day for a couple of games, morning
and afternoon attractions. In the Con-
c! etc Coliseum. and unless all signs fail
a whole lot of fur Will fly.
The alleged spiking of Collins by Gan
dill is another incident that has not been
forgotten. Gandil received a long letter
from Ban johnson, which contained a
severe call down" for what was term
ed dirty baseball. The letter in question
was answered by Griff himself who en-
facts and wound up his epistle by say
ing, Il didn't complain when Gandil's
Eose was broken and he was roughly
treated in Philadelphia
Griff is also reported to have written
Johnson a terse note to this effect: Il
can run my ball team. II you have any
fault to find, write to me-
Both teams are on edge for to-day's
battles. When the Athletics were en-
countered last June Walter johnson was
sick and could not pitch. Walter will
be very much on the job to-day, and Is
slated to work this afternoon. Tom
Hughes will probably twirl the morning
game.
1t is Plank's turn to pitch for the
Mackmen. and the veteran southpaw
will more than likely be on the Job
against johnson. Brown will most likely
work the other game.
The majority OF the Athletics arrived
in town yesterday morning from Boston.
Manager Mack was not along, but is ex-
pected to-day.
The players refuse to believe even now
that the Athletics are out of the PEN
nant race. They still see a chance to
jrmp in and grab the flag in case Bos-
ton hits a slump.
As for the Nationals, the Athletics
cannot see Washington with a large
sized magnifying glass. and are conf
dent that they will make a clean sweep
OF the present series.
George StovaIl is getting results with
that bunch of youngsters wearing st.
Louis uniforms. The Browns took Cleve-
lands measure yesterday and It probably
made George awfully mad.
1t would not be surprising to see the
New York Yankees make the going a bit
rough for the Boston Red Sox in Gotham
to-day. Wolvertons newly constructed
ball club is putting up a strong game
these days, and will cause any team in
the league a whole lot of trouble.
Besides being a comedian on the ball
field and a comedian on the stage.
Germany Schaefer. the Nationals COM
icai coach, is also a comedian in private
life. Sunday Dutch was with a stag
party which had gone down the river
on fishing trip.
Dutch had been attempting to land a
catch all day but had been unsuccess-
full. On the return trip home the two
launches, which were carrying the party.
were side by side. Several members of
the party on the Margaret B had had
some very good luck and had succeeded
in landing a number Of good sized cat
fish
Schaefer, who was on the Norman.
whispered to a boy on the Margaret
B, "Son. pick me out a couple Of good
fish and hook them on my line on the
back of the launch. The boy complied
with Schaefs request. Shortly after
wards someone said to the comedian.
There seems to be bite on your line"
"Sure enough there Is" said Schaef. as
he pulled in. his line with two monster
catfish hanging onto one hook. "Oh.
I'm some fisherman, I am. Look at
that. two birds killed with one stone or
rather two FISH on one hook. Wen, I
guess I'm a poor fisherman"
It was not long before the crowd
realized that Schaefer had slipped one
over on them. but they air laughed
heartily at the Dutchman's wit. Then
the comedian further amused his COM
panions by pulling his famous tight rope
act on the top Of the cabin Of the Nor
man, using his fishing rod as a balance.
The members comprising the party
who witnessed this stunt of Schaefs |
were Jack Keaue. Bill Keaue. 3. schroth