Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-24
BY ]. ED GRILLO.

The chances are the Nationals Will DC
pitted against some high-class pitching
in both ends of today's double-header
with Detroit. Coveleskie and Dauss, by
for the most capable twirlers on the
Jennings staff, are slated to work IN
these two games and if they are in form
base hits and runs, so far as the Ma
tionals are concerned. are apt to be
rather scarce.
Just how Griffith will manipulate his
weakened pitching staff is not known
further than that he will be compelled
to use Doc Ayers in one of the games
and one of the youngsters in the other
1t is not likely that johnson will be used
in either game unless it is for the pur-
pose of relieving one of the other pitch
ers. If Johnson is not used in the
games today it is almost certainty that
he will be worked in the final game with
Detroit which is scheduled for tomorrow.
AS johnson has worked in every one
of the last three games the Nationals
have played it is not likely that Crit
fifth will think of using him today unless
it should be found absolutely necessary.
With Ayers selection for one of the
games assured. Griffith will have Engel,
Shaw, Harper and Bentley to select from
for the remaining contest.
at is mistake not to follow any tip
on a ball player that may be sent into a
club" remarked Hughey Jennings. HAD
we taken advantage of a tip Walter john
son would have been a member or our
team now. Before he joined the wash
ington team in 1907 we had several tips
on him. but because he was touted as
having struck out twenty-five in a game
we thought the tip came from some en-
th1siast who was eNaSgerat1ng and We
allowed johnson to slip through our nm
gers. But since then there is not tip
comes to the Detroit club which Is not
run down regardless of how much time
and money it takes to do so. Good ball
players are mighty scarce these days and
club cannot afford to overlook chance
to pick up one
1t has been some years since the Ma
tional League has had as close and inter-
esting a pennant race as the present one.
With Boston and New York tied for first
place and the Cardinals but game and
half behind, there is no telling what the
outcome may be. That st. Louis aggre-
cation is believed to be stronger than
either the Giants or Braves and may
wrest the lead from both of these rivals
ere the race is much older. There also is
still chance for the Chicago Cubs, and
any time pennant race has four teams
close up at this stage of the contest, 1t
is real fight.
Just the opposite Is the case in the
American League. The Athletics have so
comfortable lead that it is almost i'm
possible for them to be headed off, and
the only contest remaining is the one for
second place which will be fought out be-
tween Washington and Boston. The Red
Sox have quite an advantage at this time,
but will have to continue to play con-
sistent ball to hold the position.
Henri Rondeau, the player Washington
recently obtained from the Minneapolis
club. was member of Hugh Jennings
team a year or so ago. Jennings IN
speaking of Rondeau said:
.'It would not surprise me in the least
if Griffith had picked up a good ball
me he was sick man, and could not do
himself justice, but he displayed a lot of
ability, and those who saw him when he
was with the Eastern League were
loud in praise of him. | understand ina.
Rondeau's health is of the best now, and
that he is playing remarkably good ball.
He always was fast as bullet and
natural hitter, and Is just the klnd OF a
youngster that might be developed into
an outfelder.
The following communication Is self
EXPLANATORY and discloses rather pecul-
lar viewpoint: ~ .o,.
washington, D. c.. August %, 1914.
Sporting Editor the Star:
Does greatness make ball player I'M
mune from the ordinary pannns OIL tie
fanso Because Ty Cobb is a great play
or. is it base ball etiquette that he must
not be bantered or jollied? l am asking
for information I am a newcomer TO
washington, hailing from the busn
league country of the far west But l
am something of a fan, and also oelone
to the rooterS' brigade
l.tr'S
that in the third inning Cobb let Moeller $
fly get through him, which later resulted
in Moeller scoring. At the emo Oh tne
third inning ] expected to see the root
ers turn loose and give Cobb some lively
puvirr Cobb was the first man up for
Detroit in the first of the fourth and
with his muff so fresh in the memory
of all it seemed an excellent opportunity
tn do a little effective roofing for the
home club by joshing Cobb when ne
came to the bat. Anyway, that would
have been the performance where l came
from Understand, by roofing l do not
mean any ribald roasting. but good ma
Tired. fun-provok ing banter. which is Of
ton very effective in getting a ball play
er's goat.
To nv complete surprise when Cobb
stenped to the plate in this inning, not
single Washington rooter seemed to re-
r,e,nber his muff in center field and, in
stead of being jollied, Cobb was APP
nIauded, He thereupon drove out sin
gle and started and engineered through
a galaxy of four runs which seemed at
! that time to spell defeat for the home
Reins a busher and not used to big
league etiquette, I do not understand
these things I believe in fair sports
manship and do not hesitate to applaud
and cheer for an opposing player who
does some great piece of work. :.
But in this case might it not have
been more effective had the home rooters
taken advantage of their opportunity
and at least tried to rattle Cobb, instead
of helping Cobb to get on and get En-
gels goat?