Evening star., 1914-04-06
GR|FF'S TEAM NOT
IN BEST CONDITION
Defeats Sustained in Cincin-
natl Prove That Players Lack
Their Real Form.
GRIFFITH is HONORED BY
GIFTS AND A BANQUET
Garry Hermann, President of Reds,
Shows Appreciation Of His
Former Managers Work.
BY J. ED GR11Lo.

b4 y. Ell GH1L1O.
CINCINNATI, Ohio. April 6-The de-
feat Of the Nationals in the two games
at Cincinnati undoubtedly proves that
the players of Griffith are not yet on
edge to do themselves justice. 1t will
require a week or SO of real warm
weather to get them in proper trim.
Not only is the hitting still below the
mark. though improving, but the gen
eral playing is not as smooth as 1t will
be later.
None of the pitchers used In the two
games here showed to good advantage.
Shaw was wild Saturday. and lost his
game. and Walter Johnson was SO far
from form in the game Sunday that one
would not have recognized him: 1t was
the cold weather which interfered with
both of these twirlers. Neither could
loosen up properly and consequently
did not do the sort OF work they are
capable of. Though the two games were
lost, it was noticeable that, on the
whole. the team is improving its play.
There is more snap in the general
movements. and yesterday there were
times when it worked brilliantly.
1t is doubtful if two games of ball
have ever been played on a major league
grounds under weather conditions such
as prevailed here. 1t was almost down
to freezing point both days. and this
undoubtedly had some effect in bringing
about the defeats. Yesterdays game
finish had not Engle made the mistake
of pitching before his infield was in posi-
ton. The result was that high bound
ing grounder. which should have been
the third out, went past Gandil, and
the game was over. The Nationals had
cpla dofa
had the bases full in this round before
man was retired, yet he got rid of two
without allowing any runs, when he
made the mistake above referred to.
The first man up. Moran, had singled
and Bates. the next up, walked. Groh
hunted to Engel. Engel got the ball and
threw to Foster in time to force Moran,
but Foster. whose hands were cold, muff-
ed. and the bases were full. Berghammer
lifted to Smith. and then Henry and
clever throw. 1t looked very much at
this stage as if Engel would get out of
the hole. Groh stole second by permis-
sion, and then came the accidental hit
by Hoblitzell, which scored both men and
won the game.
1t is not often that Walter johnson
lacks control and yet In the fifth inning
he walked three batters and hit one. fore
ing in a run. Walter, for some reason or
other. but most probably the cold. could
innings. He was never effective. and In
the five innings he worked failed to strike
out a single man. Whenever that hap
pens Walter is not right, and he surely
was not yesterday: but there is nothing
wrong with his arm. He said after the
game that it never felt better. but he
could not get any speed on the ball.
The team looked so much better in its
playing yesterday that there is every rea-
son for believing that it is only question
of a few warm days when it will be in
midseason form. To begin with. the hit
ting was much superior in this game.
compared to what 1t has been. Moeller.
Gandi1 and Foster. who have not been go
ing well. got into their stride. Moeller hit
hard every time up and had two screech-
ing hits to his credit. Gandil line-drived
and Foster, too. met the ball well every
time up. In the field the playing was
snappy Smith. at short made two one
handed stops of sure base hits and Incl
dentally contributed couple of timely
wallops which helped in the scoring. The
best play the Nationals pulled was in the
ninth, when Henry and Morgan caught
Bates mapping off second with the bases
full. This play was applauded. though it
was against the home team.
The high esteem In which Clark Grifath
is held by the owners OF the local club,
as well as by a majority of the fans.
shows that his efforts in behalf of the
team during his regime In Cincinnati are
still appreciated. 1t does not often hap
pen that the officers Of a ball club dine
and pay tribute to a former manager, as
did President Hermann to Griffith Satur-
day night, when a banquet was rendered
him in the rooms Of the Phoenix Club.
After being lauded by various speakers
Griffith was presented with a silver-han-
died umbrella and cane. He was much
affected by the tribute paid him. for it is
seldom that deposed manager is so hon.
ored.
The regulars are scheduled to play the
Vigilants at home this afternoon. It is
likely that Ayers will do some of the
pitching He will likely be asked to go
the entire route.
Because of it's good condition this
spring. the Cincinnati team has furnished
by far the best practice the Nationals
have had this spring. Herzog's team may
not cut much of a figure in the race, but
for there is no doubt that he has his
players better fitted than those of most
of the other teams: in fact, HerZog seems
to have injected a lot of spirit into his
players and they give assurance of doing
lot of hustling il nothing else this
season.
Ainsmith and John Henry caught splen-
did ball yesterday. Their throwing was
accurate and both were in evidence with
their sticks In the third inning Ainsmith
started matters with a hit, and then
promptly stole second and third. Ain
smiths speed is of much value to the
team and for this reason Griffith proposes
to use him much more often than hereto
fore. Henry's improved hitting is still in
evidence The big catcher gives promise
of being one of the most reliable batters
on the team the coming season.
Eddie Fosters spiked foot is not giving
him the slightest trouble. and he is sure
to remain In the lineup regularly. Fos-
ter is just beginning to hit the ball in his
usual form.
Despite the fact that Walter johnson
waC far from being In form, he was hit