The Washington herald., 1914-04-19
BY FERGUSON FAGUE.

course, not one OF them. In ad-
dition to their ability as mechan-
ical receivers, Griff's backstoppers
have improved with the stick this
season to such an extent that to
count them out of any batting rally
would be folly of the worst sort. So
much for this branch Of the "four-man
team" with a final parting word.
Several clubs are aware of the pinch
hitting ability of one Alva Williams,
the third member of the Nationals
rear guard.
Pitchers Are Good.
Take the pitching stan. 1t is freely
admitted that johnson and Boehling
are the class of the Nationals hurling
department. But who else has Grin
on his pitching stan? Engel finished
third last season in point of effective
ness, winning more games than he
lost. Incidentally, he turned in somt
fine games against Philadelphia,
champions of the world: Boston, for
mer champs. and St Louis, which team
generally occupies the position of cell
lar champions. One of the easiest
things EngeI had TO do last season
was to beat the Browns
Shaw and Bentley are two mighty
sweet looking youngsters, with great fu-
lures before them, not to mention the
fact that the Washington club is carry
ing around the champion strike-out
pitcher of all organized baseball leagues
in the person Of DR.. Yancey Wyatt
Ayers. His performance in the second
game against Boston was highly credit
able, and in keeping with his past efforts.
BattcrS Fear Cashion.
Every team in the league fears that
giant, Carl Cashion.- Not primarily on
account of his effectiveness, for in recent
seasons he has been wild, but because
the knowledge that he is wild makes
good batters seek the shelter of the
water bucket. Cashion, this season, has
shown that he has better control, and
when the days get warmer. just keep
your weather eye on this Carolina giant.
Gallia, too, is acknowledged to be
the pOssessOr of one Of the best curve
balls of any pitcher in the big show
and if he ever gets control he will win
a lot of ball games. Harry Harper and
Dick Williams are also promising young
steEs, who are in need of more expert
ence, but at that they can hold their
own with some of the regulars Of at
least one pitching stan about which We
hive some knowledge
Russell n Surprise.
What was Reb Russell before last sea-
son. Nothing in the world hut ? recruit
pitcher, who was in great danger Of be-
ing chased to the minors. Except for
Kid GIeason's foresight that would have
been his fate. And did the Kid, during
the moments of his fondest dreams. I'M
agine Russell would be as much of
sensation as he turned out to be. Hou
know the answer.
Griff has eight twirlers, when the
chosen ones, johnson and Boehling are
eliminated. and most of these can beat
the best teams in the league Any ope
them is capable of trimming the st.
is crowd.
= another department OF the very
.....- he inner works OF the Nationals
.- has one celebrity chosen by
..-r writer. This man WAS
-n infeld. composed Of Can
dI,. S.. Mcbride, Foster, and La
porte, d third as a defensive ma
chine " a fielding percentage OF ISL.
two poinSs behind that Incompatible
quartet from Philadelphia
CleveIand's inner works had the best
mark, 1854. That the Nationals finished
tf.ird is remarkable when it is taken
into consideration that either Gandil,
Morgan. Mcbride or Foster was absent
from the lineup on account Of sickness
or injury during eighty-seven Of the l55
games PLAYED by the team.
How many contests did the Mack in
fielders stay from the field on account
Of injuries or sickness. Just thirty-two
times was one Of them out. Foster.
stricken with typhoid fever during the
early part of the season. was never him
self his fielding average OF ,9O1 bringing
down the inieId total Today he is
recognized as one of the stars OF the