New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-10
PhilIies Jump OFF in Front by
Beating Superbas in Ma
tiOnaI League Race.
RUCKER VIES WITH SEAT0N
Muff of a Fly by Benny
Meyer Opens Way for
Lone Run and a
Bitter Defeat.

Bitter Defeat.
Nobody untutored in the mysteries Of
clairvoyancy would have suspected that
when Benny Meyer dropped an inoffen-
sive looking fly IN the first innins of the
opening battle of the National League
pennant struggle at Ebbet's Field yes
terday the result would be a defeat
cutcheon of the Superbas in their first
game of the season.
Even Fred Snodgrass could have picked
out no better place for mulf, as there
were two out and runner camping on
second base. This same individual was
pone other than the pcsky Otto Knabc.
who crossed The plate with the only run
Of the game. For nine rapid innings the
Superbas struggled valiantly against the
invincible Scaton. OF Philadelphia, TO get
back the costly tally. but they were Wig
orously repulsed, partly through sterling
pitching and partly through sharp field
man as far as third base but be ad-
vanced no further. and the plate at the
now park remains undcnted by, a Brook
Ign runner in regular game. The final
score was TO 0.
Although the Furnishings and surround
irgs are all new. the same old fate that
has logged Fuckers career since his ad-
vent In Brooklyn seems conspicuously
present. lie put up a pretty fight, pitch
ing his head off to keep the Philles from
scoring, while his teammates were max
ing n futile assault on the cnemy's de-
fences. but 1t was all in vain. Bill Dahlen's
crew could not squeeze a single run across
the plate, so they start the season In UNI
disputed possession of the cellar. while
the gonfalon of Philadelphia is floating
proudly alone at the crest.
Charlie Ebbets. who can spot hoii-
day in the distance quicker than any man
living. must have been somewhat disap-
pointed at the size of the crowd, which did
not begin to fill the grandstand. There
were ten or twelve thousand fans" on
hand but the cold weather kept many
of those away who had not purchased
their seats in advance for the opening
Then. again, the affair of last Saturday
served TO satlate the appettes of all but
the dyed-in-tne- WOODS, and the novelty OF
a game In the new park having worn off,
the interest was not as keen as usual
when the gong for the pennant race
rings.
Preparations were made TO handle a
throng as great as the one of last week
and those who had purchased their reser-
vations in advance came early TO avoid
the rush. The park was opened at an
early hour in the afternoon, and with
Shannon's Twenty-third Regiment band
10 enliven things spectators and players
alike were thankful that the Turkey
Trot' had been invented because ii served
as an admirable means TO keep up the
circulation.
During the preliminaries CoZey Dolan,
now left fielder Of the Phillles, but for
merly third baseman Of the Yankees, In
vaded the precincts Of the band, and,
grasping the leaders baton, marshalled
the musicians through the maze of a rag,
while Lobert and Doolan gave an exh-
bltion Of the Texas Tommy which would
give some Of the Giants pause, as sew
eral members of McGraw's team consider
themselves particularly proficient in this
particular product Of the Lone Star state.
The ceremonies attendant upon the
opening the season were varied but un-
original Jake Daubert collected several
souvenirs. one of them was an enormous
floral horseshoe standing somewhat higher
tnan the valiant first baseman himself,
while a gilded bat for decorative purposes
and home run club for business pur-
poses bespoke the popularity Of one OF the
most brilliant players in the game.
Before the contest could begin it was
necessary 10 have flag raising Of some
kind. so the players Of both teams. pre-
coded by the band. marched across the
field and attended 10 Old Glory. Although
this same thing was done last Saturday,
an opening is an opening. and no part or
the ritual may be omitted If there are
two or three openings It is all the same.
Borough President Alfred E. Steers was
intrusted with the responsibility of tossing
out a new ball TO the irrepressble Bill
Klein. who revelled in the vocal accom-
plishments and acrobatics which lend such
decisiveness TO his opinions.
philIies Start with Snap and Vim.
The Phillies appeared to lie a fast and
well conditioned team, with the entire
lineup intact for as brilliant getaway
as they made in 1911. In the first place. II
was noted that Charlie Doom has kid
mapped the little hunchbacked mascot who
guided the Athletics TO two worlds
championships. but whose spell was
broken last season.
IL Is high time that the fame haired
leader Of the Phillies attached some luck
bringer to his staff. and II he can get as
much as a leeting smile now and then
from the tickle goddess he is likely to be
I'D In the thick Of the pennant race this
season.
The only new face in the lineup is
Dolan, in left field. who was not afforded
an opportunity yesterday 10 show his
skill at fielding. but who cracked one Of
Nap Fuckers curves for sharp, clean
single in the first inning. which would
have scored Magee from second had
Stengel not made a sparkling play and
nailed the runner at the plate with a
splendid throw. Knabe, Doolan and Lo-
bert appeared TO be in sterling form.
Although the battle between Rucker and
Seaton was one OF exceptional brilliancy
for this or any other time of the year
only fielding of the highest type choked
off the runs. Doolan. who is almost with
out n peer I'm the league as fielding
shortstop. played a dazzling game for the
r,L.,i.>. ancapt;pC eeveD chances without