The Washington herald., 1913-09-27

stion as to why the Nationals arc
to-day i'll third place and one point
behind the Cleveland Maps for the
runner-up position?
To a man up a tree this would seem to
be the answer, for a glimpse at the bat
ting averages published I'm another col
umn show that. outside of Gandil and
Germany Schaefer. the Climbers cannot
boast OF any 300 stickers.
The fans in the Capital can thank
johnson and Boehling for keeping the
club In the first division, with the ac-
cent on johnson, although Boehling came
along with a string of eleven victories in
row at a time when Groom, Hughes,
and Engel were not at their best.
Manager Birmingham. Of the Cleveland
Maps; Bert ShOtten, OF the Browns. and
Jimmy Callahan, of the Chicago White
Sox, claim that but for the sensational
work of Boehling the Nationals would
be in the second division, adding that the
great Walter johnson could not have
carried the brunt of the pitching without
the help OF the blond southpaw.
All this opens .he avenue for another
argument. The Climbers. with but one
regular hitting better than 800, and two
been in the first division virtually all the
season. Once or twice the Chicago White
Sox showed the Griffmen into fifth place,
but little time was lost scTambling back.
How much so-called inside baseball
do the Nationals play?
Up to date eighty -four games have
been won and ffty-one lost. The pitch
ing has not always been .airtight and a
dozen or more games have been won by
a. t,a
shifting OF players, with the Old Fox
as the master mind and pulling the
strings.
Inside baseball is great stuff for a
team with half dozen heavy hitters and
fast base runners on its pay roll.
Griff piloted A smart baseball club MI
Ian and MoelIer lead all the other base
stealers in the American League. Both
are lightning fast and a source of con-
stant worry to opposing clubs.
Like Hughey Jennings. the Old Fox is
a great believer in taking chances. He
orders his men TO be alive on the bases.
and II they take daring chances, only to
be thrown out on a close play. no word
OF protest is heard from Clark Griffith.
This season the Nationals have not
played as good baseball as last year.
Injuries handicapped the club in the
spring. but when all Is said. you have
got to hand it to a manager who can
finish one. two. three in the American
League pennant race, with but one soli-
taTy 80 hitter and only two consistent
winning pitchers.
Joe Boehling's wildness yesterday may
have been a blessing in disguise While
he was loading up the bases inning after
inning handing out free passes, he in
variably steadied down when in a hole
and easy inheld grounders resulted in
no less than five double plays. As luck
would have it. BOehling's team mates
gave him gilt edged support
Had he not been 80 wild the chances
are that the Highlanders would have
hit him much harder. and three runs is
not such big handicap TO overcome.
Bob Groom will more than likely be
ordered to toe the slab in the final game
OF the New York series to be played on
the Polo Grounds this afternoon Chance
has his trump card, Ray Caldwell, to
play. and the combat should be mighty
close.
Interest is keen and a big crowd is ex-
pected to food the ball park here Mon
day when the champion Philadelphia
AliitllSS open InFee-Sdme series. Mon
day is also the day set to honor George
Mcbride. the Climbers Woodworking
captain. and in addition to the presen-
tation of suitable token, a band will
dispense sweet music
As the Cleveland Maps did not pfay
yesterday. the Nationals made a slight
gain, advancing to one point In the perx
centage table of the Birmingham crowd
for second place.
The New York Giants by their victory
over Brooklyn yesterday precIuded the
possibility of being beaten out this season
for the National League pennant. II the
Giants lose all their remaining games and
the Phillies win all theirs, the two teams
at the end Of the regular season will have
won and lost the same number of games.
but as soon as the Phillies lose a game
or New York wins one. then the Giants
will be beyond the possibility of even a
tie.
The Giants play Brooklyn today, then
so to Boston to finish the season.
Wins Checker Title.