Evening star., 1913-10-08
PH|LADELPH|AFANS
ARE EUNDAUNTEDBY
THREATENING SKIES
Thousands Pack Shlbe Park
for Second Game of Worlds
Series With New York.
GIANTS FACE HANDICAP
IN INJURY TO MERKLE
Canvas Covers Protect Entire Play
ing Field and Keep 1t in
Good Condition.
ATHLETICS SURE OF VICTORY
National Leaguers Not Crestfallen
Over Defeat, However, and Are
Confident of Evening
Up the Count.

tober S.-All Philadelphia was base ball
mad today and thousands packed Shibe
Park TO it's capacity to see the second
contest of the worlds series between the
New York Giants. National League pen
nant holders, and the Philadelphia Atm
letics, champions of the American League.
With one victory wrested from the
Giants the Athletics set about TO capture
the second contest of the series on the
home ball yard and establish a good leao
in the effort to win four out OF The seven
contests All of 10000 persons had passed
through the turnstiles before play begun.
The National Leaguers were not NM
crestfallen over their defeat In New
york Yesterday and there was not a
Giant who was not ready to declare tnat
pander would be beaten the next time the
Indian went to the pitching MOUND.
Thick Mist Worries Crowd.
. Scotch mist as thick as Newfound-
land fog kept thousands on anxious
benches. fearing a heavy downpour tha'
would stop the game. An industrious
brass band helped keep the minds OF IaHs
from the threatening weather.
The entire infield and far into the outer
gardens was completely matted WIN oa.
vas covers to keep OF the oanpne,Ss
Later the covers were peeled OH. leaving
the diamond in fine ,playing conoiIion;
n was a good-natured crowd tnas
filled the big double-decked @ granus ian. an q
and outfield stands. One victory was
fine tonic to the spirits of the AtnAetlc
fans. and they vigorously cheereo the
home folks at fielding and battlng Prac-
tice. Massed in solid phalanx behlno the
Ciants' playing bench were several num-
dred New Yorkers. enthusiastic, hopefui
and ready to encourage the national
leaguers-
Giants Face Handicap.
should Merkle be kept from New
york's first base by his injured ankle.
the Giants will labor under a severe
handicap. made all the greater also by
the absence from the batting order OF
Center Fielder Snodgrass.
The umpires looked over the playing
field at IL o'clock and officially reported
that the grounds were In mt condltlon
for a game The gates of Shibe Park
were not swung open until l:3o O'CLOCK
and the bleachers were the first to NIL
All the covered stands being reserved,
were the last to fill. Lines Of police were
stationed in front of all the stands
The Athletics We're the first to come
upon the field. coming from beneath the
grandstand one by one. They were
garbed In their usual home uniforms OF
white, with white stockings and black
bands just above the ankle.
Merkle Limps Perceptibly.
They were followed shortly after on the
field by the Giants, who wore their trav-
cling uniforms OF gray, with purple and
gray stockings. Merkle limped percep-
tibly as he came upon the field and it
was apparent as he passed the ball back
and forth TO Catcher Wilson that he suf-
fered much pain. Merkle wore a heavy
ankle brace.
The Athletics took up batting practice
first. and loud were the cheers when
Home Run Baker sent a drive nearly
over the fence on 21st street. which the
fans fondly call Bakers alley"
Eddie Plank INDUCED in batting prac-
tice, indicating that he was Manager
Macks pitching selection. During batting
practice Manager McGraw came over and
chatted with the Athletic players.
Mathewson was bundled up in a heavy
double sweater, and he was looked upon
- TIE Giants hurler for today's game.
What Baker Told Herzog.
The Giants are telling a funny story
about Baker and HeTzog, who are old
time friends. and played on the same
team together down on the eastern shore
of Maryland when they were but boys.
AS Baker was rounding third base on his
home run yesterday. Herzog shouted
That was hne thing for you to dc,
Frank"
We'll. ! just had to do II some time.
and this was good as any time, y
quickly replied Baker as he sped up to-
ward home plate.
The photographers were, as usual as
busy as pilot fish about a shark, dartine
here and there picturing the players in
pose and practice.
An automobile was presented to Walter
Johnson. the star pitcher of the Wash
ngton club. for being the most useful
player TO his club of any player In the
American League.
The crowd gave Johnson a big cheer
Thousand in Line All Night.
Despite a drizzling rain which set in
before midnight and continued until earl,
today more than a thousand fans campe6
outside Shibe Park, many of them sine.
o'clock yesterday afternoon, in order
10 get choice bleacher seats for the sec
ond contest II the prediction of nh,
weather man holds out, these devoted fol