The Washington herald., 1913-07-03
Boston. July ..

Boston, July ..
Washington fans who have wondered
why Nick Altrock is being carried by the
Nationals this season will doubtless De
surprised TO learn that but for Altrock
Joe BoehIing. instead of being. touted as
one of the mainstays of the club, might
today be doing service in the minors.
Down in Charlottesville everybody on
the Washington squad took turns advis-
ing Boehling how TO pitch. One player
woulA tell him not to pay any attention
to the base runners. another to watch all
the bases carefully. and a third never to
pitch out for base runner when 1t
looked as n he was going to steal.
With so much advice all at once, 10 1t
any wonder that when the kid wa8 sent
to the box in a game that he became con-
fused, tried to remember everything told
him, with the result that he could not do
anything right. and only his natural
ability and "stuff'' saved him
When the Nationals returned home
from the first Western trip Altrock went
to Boehling one day and said: Joe, II
you will forget everything these other
players have told you and listen to me I
am ready to start all over again with
your education. I have been pitching for
seventeen years, and should know a little
about the game. What do you say?''
had said and replied: "All right. Nick;
go ahead. I'll do just what you tell
me-"
From that day on Boehling began to
show Improvement. He refused to listen
to any of the others, accepting only the
advice of the famous old White Sox
southpaw. Boehling's work in Washing
ton. when he beat New York, Cleveland.
and Philadelphia. is still fresh in the
minds of Capital fans.
1t was simply a question OF one young
ster finding himself having confidence
in the advice given by a veteran. and
thereby pitching good ball. =.
Boehling is not a finished pitcher yet
by any means. He has still a lot to
learn, but he has gained the first requi-
site that goes to make up a successful
major league boxman, viz: Confidence.
He has always has had the "stuff." as
ball players say. and 1t is only Ques-
ton of time when he will rank with
vean Gregg, Hamilton, and other high
class southpaws.
The value Of having on the bench a
pinch hitter who can hit was never bet
ter shown than on two different occa-
sions this season when Manager Grit
fifth sent big Alva Williams to the plate
to perform the rescue act.
1t will be remembered that when the
Nationals were in Cleveland this spring
Williams tied up a game with a home
run. which the Climbers finally won.
Big AL also came through with a two
Dagger in the opening game Of the Red
Sok series here. and this swat brought
tho Nationals up to even terms with the
Boston club. He repeated this stunt
Tuesday. -.
Williams has been bothered with rheu-
matism in his right shoulder all the
spring. which accounts for his poor
showing behind the bat. but the big fell
low surely can hit the ball. Such clout-
ers as Williams are of inestimable value
to a major league team. and Grin Is
lucky to have such a man enrolled on
his staff.
In addition to going behind the bat.
Williams also can give good account
of himself on first base, or fill in one
Of the outfield jobs II necessary.
Washington fan asked the writer in
the Capital last. week why Griff did not
work his pitchers the way Connie Mack
did the Philadelphia boxmen. That Is
start of with a youngster and as soon
as the kid started to waver. put in one
Of the veterans, johnson. Groom. o:
Hughes.
II the fans will observe the box scores
closely they will see that Grin has fol
lowed Mack's scheme nearly all the sea-
son.
Walter johnson has been called upon
three different times to finish games
started by kid pitchers here in Boston.
and will be asked to do 30 in other
cities before the season closes.
Groom has never been successful in
stopping batting rallies, neither has Mu.-
lin or Hughes 20 far this season. %, In