Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-27

supervision ever since he joined
What sort Of a price would either Engel
or Boehling command If they were doing
their present work for some minor
league team? The chances are If
they were with minor league teams
they would not be as much advanc-
ed in the art as they are at the present
their showing against the strongest class
Of teams in the country.
The rise to fame of these two young
sters is one Of the marvels Of the present
season, and barring accident to either
they will hold positions among the
twirlers of the league at the end Of tho
season which will attract general atten-
ton.
There is something suspicious about
the boasts Connie Mack Is making these
days. Any one at all familiar with the
disposition of the elongated manager OF
that he Is not given to an honest ex-
preston OF opinions. Connie does not
commit himself. The time was when
If his team was fifteen games in
the lead and he was asked how he con-
sidered his chances he would say that
base ball was an uncertain game. and
that one could never tell what might
happen. Now observe the change in
front. Connie says his team has cinch
and none Of the others has a chance to
that If Chicago was ten games to the
good his team would beat it out. What
is the object Of these assertions? ls the
wiley Connie trying to inject confidence
into his charges? Does he fear that they
will. weaken under the strain which the
Nationals are making possible by their
game fight, or is 1t possible that Connie
IL growing garrulous in his old age?
did lead. and looks all over to be the
winner. but it is nothing short OF
astounding that the modest Connie
should be Boosting.
This morning the Athletics are ieading
the locals by eleven games. Quite ieao
to be sure. one which will be hard 70
overcome. but Comics team has had
greater leads in its day and yet connie
has not been near as optimistic as ne
appears to be now. There must be
reason.
BY their dual victory yesterday the
Nationals are once more game ana
half behind the Maps. occupants OF sec
of a ninth-inning finish by the New
FORKS yesterday. Judged on their posi-
ton in the race the New Yorks are the
weakest team in the league, and II Cleve-
there it would not make the Maps look
more formidable than they are Deheved
to be. To date they have played TWO
games in Gotham. One they captured
after going thirteen innings = t and o aven
harder picking when they strike tne
other cities of the eastern circuit, ana
there is an excellent chance tnat tue
I Nationals will pass them In the race De.
fore long. and once they do 1t is not
likely that the Maps will ever overtake
them again in the present race.
AS a result OF the injury with which
Walter johnson met In the game fT1oay,
cfn
while in a close play at first base, rs
doubtful il the Nationals great pitcher
will be able to take his regular turn D.i
the rubber this week. Johnson, II ne Is
well enough. would probably De pit &C e.
will be able to take his turn. Johnson Tor
the first time In years did not make MS
appearance at the ball park yesterday.
He remained in his room at the Dewey
Hotel nursing a very sore ankle as re-
the ankle bone and is causing him lot
Of inconvenience and pain, and 1t may be
that 1t will be week before &c w:u be
able to pitch again.
It is encouraging to note that Eddie
Foster liz showing improved form with the
stick Foster has not been hitting any
where near his real stride since ne re-
sumed his position on the team after a
long illness While his fielding has been
been weak. and only recently has ne
shown Improvement. He was particularly
effective with his stick yesterday. In the
first game his hit in the first lining devel-
oped into the teams first run. and 1t was
by this margin that the game was won.
In the second game his first hit paved the
way for the initial tally and his single in
the fifth put the game on Ice while his
triple in the eighth rendered further as
surance that the Browns would not win.
pa Nationals
offensive Strength is much benefited.
In looking for an explanation for the
Nationals position In the race, in view OF
among the heavy hitting aggregations. its
speed on the bases should not be over
looked. To date the Nationals have stoler
more bases than any other team III the
league.
the American League, counting all games
played, including Wednesday. July %
shows the following advantage in favor
of the locals:
Washington. 17s: Philadelphia. al: De
troit, 119: Cleveland. liz; st. Louis, 1O4
New York, 80; Boston. SO; Chicago, So.
While there is much room for improve
ment in Calvos fielding. probably be-
cause he has had little chance to devel-
| OPP himself In this respect this season,
there Is, however, no fault to find with
| his throwing. The Cuban has a wonder
| full whip and he used it to good advan-
| tage yesterday. He held runners down to
| the minimum on hits into his territory
| and in the eighth inning Of the first game
! his throw to third. whereby he caught
Alexander. made the play possible because
Of its terrific speed. The throw was
| some distance away from the bag, but II
| got there so much ahead of the runner
| that Foster was enabled to 60 out and
| get the ball and yet have time enough to
get the runner. Calvo looks like a natural
hitter. but he is not yet developed
| enough to pick the kind Of ball he ought
| to hit at. Now he is swinging at most
anything that is offered.
The assertion that the scores made in
| In the official averages because the game
was q draw only strengthens the con-
| tention that the present system Of ap-
pointing official scorers is an absolute
| error. II the official averages are to
be relied upon. the league should see to il
that only competent persons are given the
position Of official scorer. The present
| considers the ability Of the individual SO
favored. In most cities the position is
| handed around from one newspaper rep
resentative to another, so as to give all
OF them meager compensation, thus
holding the writer's good will. Unfor-
tunately not all of them are competent to
score a ball game and hence the public
has good reason to lose faith in the
official averages.
Whether Carl Cashion stands any
chance Of developing into a major
| league pitcher will be determined ere
long. Cashinon has rejoined the team