The Washington times., 1913-04-14
Probable Line-.S.

Johnny McGraw. manager of the New
York Giants. champions of the National
League, after gazing at the smooth
working Walter Smokeball johnson for
five innings the other day, has gone into
raptures over his ability.
Walter johnson is one Of the best
pitchers I have ever seen," says Nc
Graw. 'T have not had a look at Ed
Walsh since he donned big league
spangles. johnson was a little short of
wonderful for the spring. He stacked
UP against the Giants. club which had
thundered through the South. smearing
the pitching we had encountered on our
trip all over the parks, a club highly
rated for its batting strength, and he
held the Giants to two hits in five in
nins:. 1t is like looking at wonder
full picture or admiring some other work
of art to watch him work. that is, If
he is not working against you"
: Coming from McGraw, admittedly
good Judge of ball players and one who
has gone down the line for years with
his club, this praise is all the more
startling. American leaguers have for
several years touted the Kansas
whirlwind." but 1t is probable that
great twirler will 60 even farther.
flelo In O0oQ SnApe.
Whenever the deiuge quits. the
Climbers park is due for a rapid re-
covery. Manager Griffith and a corps
Of hustiers visited the prairie yester-
day and soaked UP all the lakes and
rivers in the gardens. The fnfield has
reposed quietly beneath its blanket Of
canvas ever since the first game last
Thursday. and needs naught but .
weak bit OF wind and sun to be dry
as a bone.
Thanks to the drainage We have
installed at the park" says the man
ager today, I'VE have one of the quick
est-drytng ball parks in the country:
/ would like TO have the public OF
washington understand this. because
there may come many days this sea-
son when showers viii fall on the city
in the morning and then the skies clear
in the afternoon. They must not think Ii
poned because of that shower.
II shall never cali off a game as
long as I am here until I see tor my
self that 1t is useless to start one 1
about this. either. 1 go to the park
Until the last minute shall always
refrain from announcing postpone
ment ] shall never postpone game
AT II O'Clock in the morning. This Is
done in some cities. but / shall not do
II here. l believe in giving the fans
run for their money"
What Phair Says.
At the same time. while on the sub
5ect Of rain and its attendant difficulties,
It might be well here to insert a little
rhapsody on rain by George E. Phatr.
the Chicago artist. in words. He goes
like this: -
Rain was invented by a guy who
had a grudge against baseball mag
mates. It made Noah famous; likewise
It made him swear
Rain makes the grass grow and the
flowers bloom. but 1t puts jody on
the gate receipts and hits the baseball
magnate a swift and severe kick.
THE only redeeming feature about rain
10 that It contributes to the propagation
means two exhibitions of our national
pastime for the price Of one admission.
all Of which makes a magnate as happy
as IL he were sitting on cactus.
There is an unconfirmed rumor that
rain is the chief reason for the Ma
tional Commissions ,undying hatred FOR
water. Having held a conference on
the weather conditions, our magnates
will now arise and sing their national
anthem, which patters as follows:
The raindrops fall on hill and dell;
Oh. whatthehel! Oh, whatthelheI"'
Taxes Out insurance.
All. yes, still one more paragraph sug-
gested by the rainfall of the last week
or So The committee in charge Of the
Frank Chance Day" in Chicago doesn't
intend to drop any money on their prof.
ect, provided the skies open up and
weep. It has taken out an insurance
policy for $500 for protection against
rain. The policy. unique in base<ll
history, is made out to the treasurer of
the celebration. covering his possible
loss for automobiles, fireworks, flowers,
music. buttons. and other specialties.
Who knows. perhaps the big leagues
will yet insure themselves against rain
for a whole season. The world certainly
do move.
Ty Cobb is yet unsigned. Ty is rest
ing quietly at his home I'm Georgia, and
the Western clubs in this league are
hoping he will stay there until they
have had a chance to wallop the Tigers
In his absence. But Ty will very likely
sign up pretty soon- First of all, he is
Q great ball player. He is well fixed
In a financial way, but he will not be
able to stand for long the daily reading