Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-06
SMALL CROWDS
At n. Y. GAMES
Rain Gives American Leaguers
Chance to Offer a Double
Bill Tomorrow.
GRIFFITH WILL PLAY
SAFE WITH JOHNSON
intends to Take No Chances of
Injuring His Main Attrac-
ton by 0verWork.
BY ]. ED GRILLo.
Special Dispatch 20 The star


Special Dispatch TO The star.
NEW YORK, July ga
drenching shower which swept
over the city about I o'clock today
gave New York the opportunity
to declare off todays game, there
BY arranging a double-header fo-
Monday, which it is hoped will
prove better attraction than 3
single game. Half an hour after
the deluge the sun came out, and
it proved a perfect summer day,
but the game was called off ut the
first signs OF the shower
The fact that the Giants are
playing in Brooklyn has virtually
killed what little chance the Yam
KEGS had TO draw a crowd to the
Polo Grounds. Ten thousand or
more had to be turned away from
the Giants game in Brooklyn yes
terday. while not more than 5000
saw the Nationals trimmed by
Chances men in the afternoon.
All New York IS. OF course, for the
Giants. who, after getting a poor
start, have worked their way 10
the front in the National League
race. Few folks know or care
whether the American League
team is on earth or not, and as the
schedule gave them chance to
see the Giants perform in Brook
lyn, they abandoned this side OF
the bridge and went over there.
II conditions had been more favorable
today's game would undoubtedly have
been played but with the fans Giant-cra ~
II Is believed that bargain matinee VIII
have a more stimulating effect Mon
day than a single game would have had
today. The shower came In the form OF
q blessing for the American Leaguers.
therefore
Engel and Boehling to Pitch.
In the double header Monday Griffith
will use Engel and Boehling. He has no
intention OF working Johnson here at all.
That fifteen-inning game in Boston was a
strenuous afternoon for the great pitch
er. and, not wanting to take any chances
OF having him grow stale. Johnson is Stat
ed for long rest. not even being asked
TO pitch the opening game in Detroit
Wednesday.
Il will take no chances OF having john
son get out of FORM. said Griffith this
morning. The Nationals have not a
chance to finish first unless the other
pitchers come through. anyway. and l
would make serious mistake of injuring
Johnson by piling a lot of work on him at
this time. IL the time ever comes where
something is TO be gained by working
him hard. Johnson will be on the job
every day, II necessary. but it is up TO the
other pitchers 10 do their share in the
meantime.
The sobriquet of "Old Fox is not mis-
placed on Griff1th. He is handling John
son with kid gloves for more reasons than
one In the FIRST place, he realizes that
he is the clubs greatest asset. and. what
Is more, he knows that new contract
must be made with Walter next winter,
and he wants him TO feel that he has
been splendidly treated by the club SO
that he may be more considerate in his
demands for salary. That Johnson will
expect and demand an increase. and a
x,
the club undoubtedly already has some
idea OF how far IL will have TO go with
him.
Johnson Is playing under a seven-thou-
sanddoilar contract, which expires at the
close of the present season. There Is a
general opinion prevailing that he will
ask for $4,000 per year for the next
three years. and IL is not likely that he
will have any trouble getting IL During
the McAleer regime il was found no easy
matter TO get Johnson into line. In fact
there was an open breach between the big
pitcher and McAleer. and Griffith is paw
ing the way TO avoid this sort OF clash
by giving Johnson every sort OF consid-
Grafton.
Should Have Great Record.
Indications are that johnson will have
. remarkable record this season. There
may be pitcher or two who Will have a
better winning percentage. but when II
comes down TO dissecting the work Of the
various pitchers on the basis of runs al
lowed per game Johnson will probably be
found leading and IL will he on this per
games he has won that he will lay his
claim for a substantial increase.
Today johnson Is the best attraction In
base ball He. more than any other in
dividual In base ball has drawing pro-
cfivit1es- The days that he pitches the
attendance Is always increased anywhere
from 50 70 100 per cent. He personally
draws moro than twice the amount he Il
Paid. and for this reason the club is
Sure 20 be liberal In its dealings with him
These trips at this season of the year
are rather strenuous on the players. and
u requires their best condition to offset
The strain they are under while on the
road. After playing that ffteen-innins
game In Boston the other day the team
lCootinusd on Second Pagal