The Washington herald., 1913-02-11
GRIFF need NOT
WORRY So MUCH
If Team Is Ready at Start,
Out-of-town Games Will
Not Hurt.
PLAY Is SATURDAYS HERE
American League Schedule, Just Is
sued, Gives Nationals One
Hoiday-May 80.
PLAY Is SATURDAYS HERE
BY WILLIAM PEET.

The American League schedule makers
handed the Nationals a stiff jolt this
year, forcing Griff TO take his young men
Oh the road during virtually the first
two months of the season, as the official
list published in another column will
show.
Frank Chance comes here with his New
York Highlanders for the opening series,
three games, followed by the Athletics
for the same number. Then the Nation
ais journey to New York and open the
season on the Polo Grounds, returning
home for a three-game series against the
Roston Red Sox. Then comes whirl
around the Western circuit, with Chicago
the first stop. On their way home the
Nationals will stop over in Philadelphia
for a series, and return to meet the
Boston Red SoN in the Capital May ~
On the face of it. Grifr appears to have
gotten all the worst OF the deal: and, II
reports from New York are to be cred
tied, he Is kicking because of the ding
jump right of the bat.
Whether or not the 1913 schedule Will
work a hardship on the Nationals ana
greatly lessen their chances of finishing
we'll up or winning the pennant remains
to be seen. A lot will depend upon the
condition of his players.
every manager klChS over liS NioS
when ordered by the league to play the
majority of games away from home at
the start of the season, for II robs the
team of valuable morning practice; but
If the Nationals play the brand OF base
ball on the road this season In evidence
last year the Old Fox will have no kick
coming.
Local fans remember that the Ma
tionals did not start winning consistent
saN- fnfn o
team, which, to be exact, was May 80.
the time set for a long series of games
on the Florida Avenue ball park this sea
son Griff has Gandil with him now.
In fact, his team is virtually picked. left
field and second base are the only doubt
full spots, providing, of course, illness or
injuries do not appear. There VIII be
very little experimenting necessary this
spring. while last season at the start
only Mcbride, Foster, and Milan were
sure of their jobs.
II the Nationals are favored with good
weather in Charlottesville and Grin is
able to have mis- club ready for the open
ing series, April 10, the Old Fox should
not worry a whole lot about playing that
long schedule away from home, for right
nov the Nationals look better than at
cast five other clubs, and IL the Ath-
letics' pitchers do not come around Con-
rie Mack will have reason to fear the
Climbers
Take the Nationals as constituted at
present. Had this club started the 1913
season with that lineup, Grif would
Eave won the pennant. 1t took the Old
Fox virtually two months to get started
last spring. This year things appear
10 be different, and no club in the Amer
lean League has brighter prospects than
Washington.
In :he matter of Saturdays on the
schedule, the Nationals get their share.
thirteen in all. One holiday is allotted
Washington, Decoration Day. and the
i:lstun Ped SoN Will be the attraction.
The total number of games to be
played this season is the same as for
malIy, ISL in all, of which half this
auriber will. Of course, be played at
home