The Washington herald., 1913-04-13
ny WILLIAM PEET.

Washington weather was ideal for the
opening of jackpots yesterday, and base
ball was out of the question. What
was to have been the third game of the
series. between the Nationals and
Yanks, was called off almost before
the players tumbled out of their beds.
1t was a scurvy trick the weather
man played. for the Griffmen were just
feeling their oats. Capital fans had
been worked up to a fever heat Of
enthusiasm, and the dcggone rain made
everybody peevish, players suffered. the
fans likewise. and also the Washing
ton clubs strong box.
Manager Griff1th was more than anx-
ious to go through with the first three
games against the Yankees, believing
that his club after capturing the opener
stood a fine chance of pulling down the
other two. Frank Chance also wanted
to carry out the opening list, but the
guy who hands out the weather passed
up the nothing doing" sign.
Sparks will fly in the concrete COLI
scum tomorrow afternoon, when Con-
ME Mack's Athletics open a three-game
series against the Nationals. These
teams were bitter rivals last season,
and ever since ]. Franklin Baker car
essed one of Tom Hughes slow shoots
over the right field fence for a home
run. breaking Long Toms heart and
also the Nationals long winning streak.
relations have been what one might
call strained"
Then, again, Mr.. Clark Griffith has a
little bet of 500 10 collect from young,
Stuffy McInnis, the White Elephants
first-sacker, contracted last summer and
which has never been paid by Stuffy. so
it is more than likely that the Old Fox
will remind Stuffy of the fact once or
twice during the game, probably from
the vantage point of the coachers box,
where he can get within e&rshot of the
clever frst-sacker. !
II will be remembered that Grif and
McInnis made the wager last June. An
oral bet it was, but the Old Fox can
produce plenty of witnesses The Incl
dent leading up to the bet occurred dur
ing the Nationals second visit to the
City of Brotherly Love. McInnis made
some crack to the effect that Griff was
four-fushing his way through the
league with a bunch of kids who would
finish in last place. I'm bet you 500
we beat out this club you are on" came
Griff's quick reply, to which the first
baseman replied: I'll take you; it's
pretty soft money, all right"
Up to the time of going to press Man
ager Griffith had heard nothing from
McInnis anent the wager, and will more
ton to this little business matter dur
ing the conflict tomorrow.
The Athletics have already captured
two games in a row from the Boston
Red Sox, and, according to reliable au-
thority, the White Elephants are taking
things seriously this season, and will
make a strong bid for the big money
next October.
Connie Mack claims to have picked UP
several promising young pitchers, while
his veterans, Plank. Bender, and
Coombs, are performing well for this
early in the season.
II is not known just who will be In
the box for the Nationals in the open
ing game against the former worlds
Groom or Tom Hughes is the likely
choice.
Providing word is received that the
ball field at Back River Park, Baltimore,
is At for play the Nationals will meet
the Orioles this afternoon. Grin plans
to send over team composed of veter- |
ans and youngsters. At late hour
last night word was received from the |
Monumental City that every effort would
be made to play the game.
The New York Highlanders left the |
CAPITAL on the 5:S5 express last evening |
bound for Boston, where they will start !
a three-game series in the Hub, return |
ing to New York next Thursday, in or |
der to open officially the American |
League season in Gotham, with the Ma |
tionals as the attraction.
II the records read Alright, this will |
be the first season in twenty-five years |
that there has not been a Delehanty |
in the major leagues. One more OF |
the famous brothers has always an |
swered the bell, but the last of them |
has been crowded out; there are no |
more of the brothers to be summoned, |
and none of them seems to have any |
sons who can maintain the family base
ball honors.
Joe Lake tells this story regarding |