The Washington herald., 1913-04-11
MOELLER BEATS PITCHER
WHO HELPED HIM TO FAME
Mcconnell Formerly Twirled for Rochester, from
Whence Daredevil Dan Was Obtained.
Other News Notes and Gossip

During the summer of 1911 the Roch
ester club, Of the International League
won the pennat. and George Mcconnell
was the winning twirler. Moellel
played on this team and helped McCon'
neil land more than one victory by
timely hitting and speed on the bases
just he caused Mcconnell to return
10 the New York bench yesterday after
noon a beaten pitcher.
What queer tricks fate plays us.
Eddie Foster was also on the Roches-
ter club of 1911, and Foster. with Moeller
led the Nationals i'm hitting. with two
blows each
1t would seem that IL Mcconnell had
known of any weaknesses Foster or
Moeller might possess he might have
been effective against them yesterday,
but such was not the case, or else the
former Rochester players said to them
selves: I'VE know this guy, and he
can't show us anything We haven't seen
before"
Hal Chase had little opportunity to
show what he could do In the new role
of second baseman. Only one fly came
his way. He appeared to handle HIM
self nicely during the practice, but plays
so deep that the impression prevails that
ground balls other keystone guardians
could gather in.
Until Chase has had a thorough trial
il would not be fair to condemn his work.
The position is new to him. and he may
be able 10 aster the fine points of
playing that position.
The fans were disappointed when il
vas announced that Manager Chanc.
would not play first base yesterday IN
account of his bum knee
Chance had his first glimpse of the
Washington ball club and also the Ma
tionals' dandy park. He did not express
his opinion as to Griff's team. but admit
ted the concrete coliseum was as nifty
park as any he had ever seen.
With Birdie Cree and Harry wolter II,
the outfeld, the New York club looks
vastly different from the aggregation
chaperoned by Harry Wolverton last
year. Both Cree and Wolter were OFT
OF the 1872 lineup on account of in
juries, but have apparently fully recoy-
cred.
Cree is the Yankees cleanup hitter,
and was able to gather two singles of
Walter johnson, while VOTERS grounder
in the first inning scored the High
landers only tally.
Howard Shanks is the original hard
luck hitter. The Monaco marvel siashed
one at Hartzel in the fourth with the
bases full that would have gone for
double had the ball yeererd to. the left
or right few inches AS IL was Hart
eel could not hold tight to the sphere,
but knocked il down and managed 20
scramble over to the bag with II In time
10 retire Morgan and hold the Nationals
runess.
The tickle fans muttered harsh words
at Danny Moeller when the Rochester
Rambler strolled off third base in the
fifth inning and was caught mapping by
a quick throw. Mcconnell to Hartzell,
but when Danny came through with the
hit that won the game in the seventh.
the guys who short while before were
hooting him yelled their heads of in
delight and showered upon him words
OF praise.
Twas ever thus.
Though beaten in their first American
KEGS made a deep impression on the
Washington fans. They took the field
with All infield of which only one men,
Der was seasoned campaigner in his po-
sition. Chance. fearful of further trouble
with his bad knee if he exposed IL TO the
icy blasts that swept the infield, remain
cd i'm the seclusion of the dug-out leav-
ing Charley Sterrett to cover first
Chase served at second as well as
Eddie Collins could have, only one
chance, and that high fly. going his
way. 1t was across on the other side
II the infield. where Pep Young, sub
bling for Claude, Derrick. and Roy Hart
eel held forth that the real action GEN.
tered. Between them. Young and Hart
eel shut of at least three runs, pos
sibly more, and both were leaders in
the Yanks' assault, futile though that as
sault may have been.
Catcher Sweeney. of the Highland
ers, who failed to touch first base in
the seventh inning on a hit, which
should have gone for a double, and
which cost the visitors a chance to tie
the score, hands out a unique alibi.
When seen last night Sweeney said:
Several days ago | visited sur
geon in. New York. who removed a
troublesome corr on my right toe
and the spot where the knife dug in
is still mighty sore. | did not expect
10 catch the game. but obeyed orders
and went behind the bat.
when I connected with that ball in
the seventh i knew that ] could reach
second base, and in order to save my
self "A twinge of pain. attempted to
touch the bag with my left foot as 1
turned first base. I realized i missed
the bag, but thought i could get away
with the bluff until ] saw the umpire
had caught me dead to rights--then
turned back"
II seems a bit of shame, after the
sterling defensive game he played against
the Nationals, that Young should not be
a good hitter, or even passing fair
one. Given the hitting ability of any one
of half dozen big league shortstops
the little fellow would be star in any
company, for he certainly can field.
washington's first suspicion that
Young might be a right handy little
fellow on the defense was aroused with
out unnecessary delay; corroboratory
evidence was furnished soon after. !
Moeller, first man up for Washington, 1
and by the same token the most pernici- |
o,isiy active of all .be Griffin foemen. |
boned Mcconnell for pass, and prompt |
~ set out for steal He made il, !
Sweeney's peg going high and far to I
the left of the bag.
IL should have been "'one of thcs !
throws" on which the outfield Is given |
exercise and the runner an |
extra base or so. But Yong. cutting |
across TO Chase's side Of the bag, snaked !
the bah down with one I'm. and righted /
himself in time to hold Moeller at the /
midway. After Foster had been retired |
IL was Young again who froze onto Mi |
lsn's liner, and by the simple process |
of tossing to Hartzel. completed a |
double play that bore the mark OF the /
horseshoe, up and down, both sides, and