Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-15

son as it has this winter. The new
| league has done wonders to date. but
when it gets its teams the field it is
sure. to fan short of the artistic standard
which is expected by the public of Il
league which claims TO be in competition
with the major organizations. For Il
time, of course, curiosity will be draw
ing card for the new league, but just as
soon as 1t becomes apparent that the Feds
lack the class there is sure 10 be Il fail
ing off. When the turnstiles become
rusty it is not going to be easy to
Keep those promoting the venture 50
fliled with enthusiasm. Nothing mas i
more detrimental effect on the promoters
than Il series of heavy losses. and these
are pretty sure to be in store for the
Feds by the time July rolls around. Not
that organized base ball is certain oil
having smooth sailing. The presence 81
effect on it, but the chances are that
the old leagues are better fortified foi. a
siege of reverses than are their youth
rul opponents.
\ player of johnny Evers' ability is
apt to make Il wonderful difference in
the strength of the Boston team. To
begin with. he will add much to its
dividual ability, but ne Will add con
Siderable more in injecting: real
strategy and inside base ball into his
teammates. tNcfa VIII got more money
ton than amy player ever Identified with
the game. II reports are to be hc,;", cd
he VIII receive d tWtBt ytaous;- nd dor
lar bonus for signing, not to speak
OF u foGr-ycaf contract caliin. Tor
$4,000 per season. THIS is surely Il
hlgh-Water mark for IL ball players
salary.
about Walter Johnson and he will in
sist that next season will he the great
pitchers best Players contend that
johnson gave evidence of knowing the
art of pitching last season more than
ever before, and that he ought to be
AZ has best i'll the coming campaign.
There is no doubt that there is "a great
difference in Walters work now COM
pared to what i; was fcw Years age
III those days he relied almost entire.y
OF! bis speed to win games. and knew
little OF the art OF saving himself
Last season it was different johnson
relied on judgment as lpuch as he did
on his arm, and the result was that
he showed to better advantage than
ever before.
There is no doubt that Johnson's two
years under Griffith benefited him a
whole lot. There vas no pitcher more
cunning than Griffith when he was in
help in the developing of AL the pitch
ers tnder him since coming here
Johnson though possessed of remark
able natural ability, is not an excep-
! ton to the rule.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Ma
t"nals iiti"'d last season was badly
broken ~ during a s:ooJiy part of the
season, IL made excellent showing
; during the campaign and is credited with
| having been ne%t best To the Mactlucn.
Barring accidents the tniicld viii he even
better. this year. TO begin with Ray
Morgan Is sure 10 show himself ali i'm
proved ball player. because he has gained
| by experience. Gandil is sure to have d
good year, while Eddie Foster gives every
! indication OF having recovered from his
| Illness OF last spring. There is nothing
! to be said i'll Mci;ridc'S behalf, for dur
| ing the six seasons he has been ul;,>ir:.
| here he has never been found wanting
Griffith has come to tII., conclusion that
I Eddie Ainsluith will he. ot greater value
to his team if Ii" is l,l;iycd more often for
| he believes that the Young catcher will
. hit many points higher il he IS not al
lowed 10 spend 50 much time on the
| bench. Ainsmith has requested that he
| be kept i'll the game as much az possible
as he contends that he hits much better.
! under such conditions. and Griffith, of
course. has acceded, for if there is any
| thing he wants it is hitters.
| There were occasions last season when
| -Ainsmith would hit like lend but after
+! a short lay-om he would appear weak
with the stick.
With the passing OF Johnny t.vers
| the great champion team of Cubs is
| pretty we'll scattered. Shuttle alone re-
mains. the famous 50 outfield, Slagel.
Sheckard and Shuttle is represented by
| the latter only: the infield is scattered
afar. Chance. Evers. Tinker and stein
field al roosting now in otht. ~! $
| What wonderful aggregation of
| stars it was. Frank Selce, who won as
many pennants in the National, l,.,l ~.
as any man in base ball. after his sue
cessful days III Boston. welded L. ji....
| the team which made Frank Chance,
| famous. When that team was in its
| prime 1t was perhaps the greatest in
| the games history, not even overlook
| ing that remarkable aggregation over
which Connie Mack is presiding.
A diamond trophy VALUED n s;.l is TO