New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-15
Fans Rejoice as Far Flung
Chain of Baseball Binds
a New Season.
WORLDS CHAMPIONS
BITE DIAMOND DUST
Fifteen Thousand Men and WOm-
en- Brave Shivery Wind to
See a New York Victory.
Pv HEYWOOD BROUN.

By HEYWOOD BROUN.
Edward Sweeney stole home in the
fifth inning of the opening game OF
new baseball season between the Ath-
letics and the Yankees az the Polo
Grounds YESTERDAY 1t is necessary. to
state this at the very beginning Of any
account Of the days doinse in order to
get the proper atmosphero.
once it is accepted that EdWard
Sweeney actually did steal home in the
fifth inning, it is possible 10 so on ana
convince everybody that the Yankees
defeated the worlds champions by
score Of 6 TO - and outplaycd their
rivals at all angles Of the game.
II was topsy-turVy day. Inc
Giants were defeated by the Philiies
10 to I. although everybody knows that
Charlie Dooin's team is "snot to pieces
nv the raids of the Federals.' 'The
1;rooklvn Superbas won from the Bos-
ton Braves by score of = 10 =, while
the Tip Tops took the Pittsburgh Feds
into caup hv q score of I to in ten
litter innings. so that New York per
ccntagc for yhe day was 40.
Lieutenant Governor Robert F. Wag-
ner threw out the first ball. and it was
a tolerable toss as first ball tosses 60.
Marty McHale did not have to run
more than fifteen feet to catch It.
Season Opens in All Cities.
The Polo Grounds was only one link
in far flung chain OF baseball. In
many big league towns the tumult and
the shouting rose with the varying
fortunes Of the games. Fans from the
Atlantic to the Mississippi were able 10
see big league baseball at first hand in
stead of through the medium OF the
sporting pages.
Although the weather man forgot to
turn on the heat he was kind enough
to allot fair weather and all over the
National and American League circuits
the fans were gladdened or saddcned'
as the case might be- by the opening o.
the baseball season.
Every team was able to make It's
start I'm the big race. and every game
was played TO a decisive issue. Each
league has four leaders and four tall
enders this morning
McHaie Ball<s the Champions.
...- ,r.ry.,. at. rr;eb -.tr,,eb
was chiefly responsible for the victory
OF the Yankees. Not only did he hold
the Athletics TO Ave hits, and field his
position well, but he made hit and
stole second In the memorable fifth
inning. r'hle Sweeney was rumbling
toward the plate like Lenox avenue
local Arthur Irwin originally signed
McHale because the clubs quartet
lacked a good tenor.
The Irish Thrush has been pitching
for a good many years, and his voice
has always been much admired. Once
before he came up to the big leagues
only 10 20 back again to the sticks"
But Yesterday the little man who has
toiled so long in the small time OF
baseball did things that Marquard and
Tesreau and Demaree and others could
not do
He struck out Collins, Oldr'ng, Nc
Innis and other sluggers OF the Ath-
letics. and made no more fuss about "
than IL he had been pitching a Monday
afternoon game for Jersey City.
Weather Mean and sullen.
Not more than 1900 persons saw
the game. but although the crowd was
one Of the smallest which ever attend
ed an opening game here the rault
WAS not with the game. but may be
placed squarely on the shoulders OF a
mean and sullen day.
The game became one-sided so early
in the afternoon that there was little In
the vav Of excitement to counteract
the cold
Toe Bush. who held the Giants to Ave
hits IN the third game OF the worlds
series at the Polo Grounds last October,
bepan the game for the Athletics. AL
though he had speed his energy was
misdirected, and when he dropped his
curves in an effort 10 put the ball over
chances men smashed out drives that
defIed even the fielding prowess OF the
100000 infeld.
Marty McHale threatened for a time
TO pitch no-hit game, but the Atm
letics began 10 solve his delivery in the
closing innings. He used little speed
and the ball seemed TO amble up 10 the
Mate inviting certain destruction.
Swish would come the bats OF the Attn
-et,cs. and the ball would dodge down
and out into the catchers mitt.
Fans Applaud Pecknpaush.
Roger Peckinpaugh is not a member
Of a 100000 infield, but he was the
hest mar on the diamond yesterday, al
though he raised the dust where JACK
Barry had stood and ran over into
territory SCARED by the spikes OF Eddie
Collins.
field still heavy from rains made
the ground soft in spots. and the ball
leaped with crratic bounds as the bat
ters met the curves OF Marty McHaie
with glancing blows Come high' come