The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-07-14

waiter Johnson Is one OF the yer!
few pitchers I have seen in my whole
connection with baseball who pitches
absolutely according TO the rules.
Barney Petty was another"
This is the high tribute today paid
the emperor of the slab by Bill Evans,
the most respected umpire in baseball,
In order to give the base runners
every chance, the pitcher has been
surrounded by so many technicalitiec
that few really appreciate the real
meaning of proper pitching and rea!
baking. The only thing for an umpire
to do is to use discretion and see that
the batter and runner get their proper
protection. Walter went about learn
ing 10 pitch properly and he has never
changed his delivery in the slightest
think that a considerable amount OF
his success is that he adopted a certain
style and has stuck to it ever since he
has been in the league"
Griffith today received word from
Charlottesville that the physicians are
still watching Doug Nenrs condition,
unable to tell, as yet, whether his all
nent will develop into typhoid or the
player will be back in Washington in a
week or ten days.
: Each successive day fnds the stra-
tegic position of the Griffmen in the
most pslpitatlng struggle in all ma
io- baseball history bettered.
The developments If yesterday
could hardly have been more adyan-
tageous to the Nationals. and tc day
fnds the club in second place. but
two and one-half games beh nd tie
leaders and sailing along at a clip
that is not approached by any team
IN the race. victory over Detroit
Eoiste6 tie Grins into second place,
and there were no heartburns or weeping
and gnashing of teetr at Georgia ave-
nue. when the news was received that
rain had stopped the game a. Phila-
celphia, meaning a doubls-header to-
cay.
II an excuse can be found. it's =
good bet that Connie Mack will not
stage two games this afternoon but
II ne Is forced to, IL will be inter-
esting 10 see what he VIII do for
pitchers.
1t may be that Mackian luck will pre-
vail and he will be able to send lis
slusgers through a dual engagement
with q pair of twirlers. But If the
usual order is followed and the totter-
ing. stumbling, laundering and flunder-
ing Philadelphia pitchers live up to
their late form he may have 10 Use
one after another to stop those fight
ing st. Louis Browns. AL CT which
would not be sad news in Washington.
During the last month but thirteen Of
The twenty-eight games the athletics
nave played have gone their way; at
Shioe Park they are supposed to be
alrlost uncomfortable, still ten victories
IN nineteen starts is all they have to
show for their labor at home. A year
ago at this time Philadelphia was sail
.ng away with more than 100 points
advantagc over the nearest rival. while
-oday Ards them playing $50 per CENT
ball with Washington but 80 points
away and coming along like general
alarm conhagration.
Nest Philacelphians seem obsessed
with tie idea that the leagues pennant
supposed to be the perpetual property
u Shibe. Mack & Co, still the Eve
ming Bulletin, always ultra conservative,
makes the following admission:
Hugh Jennings says luck is necessary
. win pennants. and he should know.
clubs for Detroit. Hugh might have
added that lucia is necessary some
times for club 70 remain in hrst place
in q baseball league tight, which leads
20 the remark that the Athletics are
indeed lucky to be in first position in
The American League race at this writ
ing. Ever since the Mackmen appeared
n St Louis, about one month ago, they
nave been playing the most inconsistent
baseball Of their career. One day they
III ~ ~, he hNfG H.
ness, and the next day do not look
better than a Glass D club. Connie
Mack says he doesn't know what the
trouble is, so il he doesn't know the
writer can hardly be expected TO tell
what is the trouble.
Most critics agree that the Athletics
are shy on capable pitchers; in fact.
most persons agree on that point WIN
the exception Of Mr. Mack. and he is
the one who must be convinced. Every
one pointed out last year that the Ath-
etics had no pitchers. yet they went
ahead and won the pennant, and then
the worlds championship. What they
did last year Mack opines can be re-
peated this year, but IT must De AIDED
that the Athletics as ball club are not
oIaying as good baseball now as they
plsyed at this time last year. They
have lost twelve more games this sea-
SON than they had lost at this time
last year"
Another feature that yesterdays de-
veiopn .nts brought forth, and which
will cause no sorrow here vas the fail
ure Of Urban Faber TO come through
for Chicago. For the second time the
New York Yankees, the weakest hitters
on the loop. pounded Faber off the
field.
The onward rush Of the White Sox has
been due principally TO the general ex-
ceilence of their pitchers. OF these not
one has been more dependable than
Faber So successful was Faber that
Callahan did not hesitate to work him
out of order, and now II appears as
though there might be a heavy toll for
the indiscretion II may be that Ed
Walsh will prove sufficiently strong TO
slip into the gap but II Faber blows
and becomes inconsistent the White
Sox will fall far below their rating Of
about a week ago, when they were
fairly tearing things 10 pieces.
With Washington fandoms cup Of Joy
overhowtng. the optimism should not
be 60 great as TO blind the Nationals
supporters TO the fact that their favor
Hes have been beating Detroit team
mat has been going along without the
services of the greatest ballplayer IL
existence ard a second substitute third
beseman.
No matter what baseball patrons may
think of Cobb personally or his habits
and manners, you have 70 give II to
him once he dons his uniform. He can
hit, run. field. throw, and, in fact, do
almost anything BETTING a man who
holds such an exalted position IN his