The Washington times., 1914-06-29
Two College PLAYERS Report for Trial With the Grfnen
SPORTS 1oE, Estfs paae;,e, BY
GRIFFMEN'S CARD

to be normal again and those who went
the maddening experience of
the Philadelphia trip. it may be well for
some tC reflect upon the cracks that were
heard all over our fair city a few weeks
back about the Nationals being afraid of
those Athletics and intimating that the
Griffman actually stopped when they
took the field against the Mackmen.
Well, if there was on Friday or Sat
urday, or for that matter at any time
this season, the slightest indication Of
a Discrimination of any member ,of the
Washington team to fight back at the
team that now leads, it has escaped our
observation. One of the principal at
fractions of the Nationals, making them
the greatest road team in baseball, has
been their dogged sticktoitiveness and
absolute refusal to admit defeat at any
time Ci under any condition.
From the day he took charge here
Clark Griffith has been pumping fight
into his men. This been one of the
most potential factors in the upbuild-
ing and reconstruction that has been
going on. Every move shows 1t. and
IL there is anyone among the GrlIs
who does not feel even today that
Washington is not a better ball club
than Philadelphia ne has covered up
AS the standing now is, the Athletics
have it on the Nationals by seven to
four. The friendly relations between
the pair of teams will be resumed at
Shibe Park on Thursday, August Is. and
then watch things pop.
While the Athletics drew away to a
considerable extent as a result of the
forfeiture and the two victories, the
Nationals are still well up on st. Louis
and Detroit II the club profits as well
as appears justifiable to expect during
the soJourn Of the High!anders, 1t will
serve to once more tighten up the race.
The principal interest Just now Will
be centered in the Philadelphia-Boston
series. which opens today with dou-
ble-header.
Since Iris Speaker regained his bat
ting stride the Red Sox have looked
like a much improved ball club. and
tEey should be able to put up a mighty
fight against the Mackian forces. 1t
might be well for followers OF baseball
not to take their eyes of Boston While
their position now is not the highest,
for they are not even in the first half
collection of ball players. and one that
is now ready to make real bid for the
place Philadelphia now occupies.
Griffith's watchword all season has
Deen 10 WaIcn boston. Later QeNeIop-
ments indicate that the manager has
had good reason for the warning he
started sounding early in the spring.
Anyway you take II, there should be
some good baseball here toward the
end Of the week.
Some Philadelphia papers stin cling
to the idea that Fridays affair may re-
suit in the removal OF Clark Griffith.
Well II Byron Bancroft Johnson should
go so far as to attempt to eliminate
the present manager he may as well
prepare to change the circuit of his
leagu
There should have been no forfeiture.
That has never been denied. Still there
are exteruating circumstances when you
are driven almost insane by being asked
to endure treatment from incompetent
officials and in the course of his in
quiry over the unfortunate affair. John
son might well go the limit and comb
this nation trying to dig up some UNI
pires that will avert rather than en-
courage fnrfeitures in the future.