The Washington herald., 1914-03-29

Sdy, II IL WASH lOr you IclONS
we would win the pennant in a
walk. Why, we can beat any other
club in the league a series, but
when we go up against you guys,
we are jinxed."
Frank Baker alone has beaten the
Nationals enough games in a season to
put them out Of the race: old Home
Run" certainly lives up to his nickname
when playing against that team. Back
in 1872 he began to endear 90 himself
to them when he hit one of Tom
Hughes offerings over the right field
wall, with the count two strikes on him,
two out in the ninth inning, score at the
time to in Washington's favor. And
victory for them would have meant
eighteen straight wins!
Since that day, in every series, and
sometimes in every game, Frank has
asserted his presence too strongly to
suit Griff and his men. We've got a
scheme to fix him now," confided Schae-
fer to a group of us one day towards
the close OF last season Every time
he comes to bat, no matter II there is
a man on base or not. its to be walk
him. and then it's a cinch he can't
get more than one base" Which might
be some dope, at that
Walter Johnson-King.
However, In spite Of the fact that the
Nationals have never played their best
quality OF ball against US in the past.
that is no indication they will continue
to do so in the future. because as long
as a certain Individual is a member of
the Washington club It will always be q
pennant contender. Whats in a name
so the saying goes. Well, believe me.
there is a lot when batter hears
WALTER JOHNSON announced as
the pitcher. Any thing that / might say
here in praise of Walter. would only
echo the universal opinion of fans and
writers alike. As an opponent, i am sure
there is no one l have to face who 1
feel has something on me so much as
do when up against this same pitcher.
Speed?, never saw anything like 1t.
Curves? Oh. what's the use of talking
about II? He is in a class by himself,
and the best 1 could think of to say
about HIM would not be enough.
Just how big a part OF the Washington
club Johnson is would be hard to say,
but without him I have my doubts IL it
would finish in the first division. When
one stops to consider that, of the regu-
lars, only two men-Gandil and Milan-hit
above 20. and that the teams batting
average last year was only .2S+. it is to
be wondered at that the club did as well
as it did in 1872 Visibly, what 1t lacks
IL batting strength, and "Griff'' himself
as good as admitted this when he ac-
that he offered TO pay the
immense sum of 100000 for Ty Cobb.
Credit to Grin.
In spite of the fact that johnson stands
out so prominently in the rise of the
rlnh from, ba division
think its manager deserves a lot Of
credit. for this feat. Griffith instilled the
one quality that the team had always
spirit, pepper, ginger.
whatever you choose to call II. Up until
the time "Griff'' took hold, the team had
never exhibited any of the characteristics
Of ambition to any great degree. but he
soon made the players realize that some
hing better was In them. You can do 1t
Il you WILL" was his slogan. and today,
MANY changes. he has about the
greatest fighting combination on the dia-
nond. do not mean fistically, but as-
sressiveiy. 1 am forced to say that /
never saw a team more on its toes or
display more life than this bunch does.
Generally speaking / am OF the opin- |
on that ''Griff'' mad a better ball club |
n 1872 than he did last year. At any rate, |
lis pitching stan performed better. |
While johnson established greater rec
,rd last year than the year preceding,
nevertheless he was a whirlwind in 1872; |
Tom Hughes had one of the best years |
Il his long career, and the same was /
rue of Bob Groom, and big Cashion |
or time also enjoyed a winning streak
But last year there was noticeable \
Inference; against our club, at any rate.
I was apparent.
Eliminating the last series our team