The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-04-23
Griffmen Open Home Campaignat
Florida Avenue; johnson to Pitch
Thousands of Fans Eager to Welcome Home the Old Fox and
His Lads, Flock to Park-George McBrde's Brainy
Work Responsible For Last Win in New York.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

woco-hoooi!!
Today marks the reincarnation OF
washingtons baseball legion.
The dawn of another period OF un-
checked and unreseryed joy and bliss
for unnumbered hosts ia at hand. On
foreign soil and before unfriendly thous-
0nds the chosen ones have unfurled the
Capitals banner, have achieved their
tust need of success, have proven them
selves worthy of the trust and have kept
the faith. Today they are returning.
For months a multitude has antici-
pated this very day. Still now it breaks
upon them with a suddennes that Is
startling In the. dim afternoons IT
, autumn these same followers supported
the phalanx as 1t shattered the romance
OF Cleveland and fought aud stormed
its way through to an exhalted posi-
ton after all hope seemed gone; today
is to be seen this same soldisry flung
chsllenginsly, desperately and unreserv-
edly into the vortex of the battle before
a sympathetic assembledge that stands
ready to abide with 1t through sun
shine and sorrow; victory and defeat;
conquest and reverse. To thousands It
is the resurrection for they puisate with
renewed vigor.
Three years ago Clark Griffith led a
mutiny after two-score years Of base
ball peonage and in straight seasons he
and his trusty henchrnen have blazed a
trail to the very heels of combinations
that were later to reap the highest snd
most coveted honors in baseballs uni
verse
The initial result was declared by IN
believers as merely one Of the uncer-
tafnties of a VIGOROUSLY uncertain ma
tional sport; When this vas repeated
during the last campaign, II was con-
sidered nothing short Of iese majestic
end a sacrilege-this idea Of the de-
spised Washingtonians rising as keen
factor in baseball
However, the awakening is now com
plete. The Nationals have not only
wrecked hallowed traditions, but they
have earned and retained the confidence
of the city they have honored. and that
has honored them as its representatives
in the most intensely interesting OF all
Americas pastimes.
Today finds Washington delirious with
pennant aspirations and placing aeso.
lutte reliance upon the men who have
undoubted ability and terrific earnest.
ness to charge with their unpreceoenteo
sweep. In the Grihithiap plan douot
and hesitation has been relegatea 10
the past, individualism has been sroor-
constitute the triple combination that 10
expected TO carry the orsanlzauon 20
heights never before dreamed OF; me
master has preached tae gospel .nat
victory. and this afternoon. from the
Chief Executive of the nation to the
huuoblest spectator far removed from
the storm center Of play. II Is TO be ex-
noble account Of themselves in combat
with tie invading Bostonese.
Walter Perry Johnson, that grand
Washington institution. mas been named
to pitch for the Nationals. a., ,5.,,,ng
manager, announced a change IN ms
pitching plans. II had been intended 10
use Ray Collins, but Carrigan mas
shifted and Rankin johnson Will op-
Simeon. Last GEAR while pitching for
Syracuse johnson won twenty out OF
twenty-seven ganes, and IN exhioitlon
contests defeated the Red Sox ana
Giants. and held the Athletics TO one
During the past two days the New
Enslanders have played to ties with
the Philadelphia Athletics, while the
Nationals rounded out their snort trlp
morning both contingents reached this
city, and both are ready.
To CAPTAIN George F. Mcbride. fellow
countrymen, you may today give praise
for the return of the Nationals to their
lair In victory.
That indefnable something, called for
a better name baseball sense. was
used to such good advantage by the
field leader at the psychological mo
ment in yesterdays game that II turned
back the Highlanders at time that
they threatened to even or possibly
better the advantage which the Griff-
men held in the middle Of the contest.
The final score was to /. thinks TO the
quick mental workings Of this same
g. F. Mob.
The first man up for the Highlanders
was Holden. Joe Engle had just climbed
the crag at the Polo Grounds that is
alibied under the name OF pitchers box
when the welcome extended by Holden
was a sharp single to right On the
hit and run sign Holden tore toward
second and slid nto the bag with
desperateness. as Cook pounded the ban
TO left Shanks came in at top speed
and grabbed the leather. Those who
had followed the flight Of the ball
turned their ewes toward second 10 find
George Mcbride making Wild signs and
Holden protesting that he was safe.
When Holden came to he found that
he had been fooled to such an extent
that the bail had been relayed TO first
and he had been caught in the lamb OF
a double play.
With the completion of this two-ply
retirement passed New York's best
chance. although the Chancemen did
later score once as a result of Il .,ouple
Of hits and an error.
Doc Ayers today shows little effects
of the injury which yesterday drove
him from the field OF play.
He was in excellent form yesterday,
and during the four innings that he
served an infie.d single and hit that
went for a double. because the slippery
conditions that mad. II impossible for
Shsnks to get In the psth of the ball.
Ayers Is famously steady and during
In OTHER YEARS |