The Washington times., 1915-06-05

to hit Is fast becoming the talk of the
American League circuit Clark Grit
fifth is disappointed. The fans are dis
appointed. But the whole league is dis
appointed. for the fans of every city
fcndly thought that this would be
Washington's year. Wherever Griff goes
around the circuit he Is greeted with
the best wishes of the people who have
been following the varying fortunes of
the Nationals for years. 1t Is matter
Of fact that the Griffmen come close to
being the most popular team In the
league. Everybody Is pulling for them
to win. The Tigers are popular, out
the fans know that the Detroit fans
have had their pennant joys and that
Washington fans never even got into
the first division until 1912. From New
York to St. Louis up and down the
league. whispers are running that 1t Is
too bad Griff's club can't get going. 1t
Is generally understood that 1915, with
its open race; offers the Griffmen their
best opportunity to win the flag since
the Old Fox first dropped of his train
at Union Station and set up his tepes
on Georgia avenue.
however, the Grirmen are helpless
without the hit. When such a sterling
mound performer as Walter Johnson
has one run scored behind him in four
games, none can blame him Tor having
four defeats in eleven games. All a
pitcher can ever do is to hold down the
enemy. It's up to his mates to bring
In the runs that win. and Walters
leading teams fail to get wide mar
gin on those in the second division, It
will always be possible for the latter to
hit winning streak and rise hand oyer
to hit that same winning streak,
team must get the runs. and to get the
runs it must get the hits. Thus far the
Griffmen have not made much of an
impression for strength with the bat.
One of the reasons given for the prob
able pennant victory of the Detroit
Tigers is the presence of Ty Cobb in
the daily lineup. Some one must have
told Ty that ne should show up some
of those fellows like Maisel. Milan.
jackson, and Fournier, make them look
Georgia Peach is doing. and in doing 1t
he has disrupted about every team he
has faced this year Not only is he
forty eight points ahead of his nearest
contender for the hitting prize, but he
has eight more stolen bases to his credit
than Fritz Maisel. last years leader in
this art. Eight doesn't sound like much
of a lead, but 1t Is the total of Danny
Moeller's steals, and Moeller is leading
the Griffmen in this department.
such good health. Not in years has
he shown such interest in his work.
This stands out all the more at a
time when baseball is having its trou-
bles and men are being fined and
suspended for failure to keep in shape
to earn their fancy salaries. Cobb
is deserving of all praise for his at
titude in this matter. He is, perhaps,
the highest salaried man in the his
tory of the game, but he is deliver
him in an earnest 2ndeavor to be on
the level with Frank Navin.
With Cobb hitting around 400 and
running bases like a fiend incarnate.
the Tigers really have ten men in
every game they play. The Georgian
is worth two of any ordinary players
in the game when it comes down to
effectiveness. His daring on the bases
alone. gives the Tigers a tremendous
advantage over a majority of op-
posing pitchers, who spend most of
their time and waste much OF their
energy trying to Circumvent his work
on the paths. In the field he is still
one of the fastest men playing ball
ing prowess on several occasions this
spring, once against the Griffmen. IT
does not pay to fool with Cobb's
!"soup bone"
Cobb has, yet to miss a game this
year II he keeps up that stride through
out the season, the Tigers will be there
when the final gun sounds and they will
be close to leading the dash over the
line.
Clark Griffith wants it known that
he will never postpone game, IL il Is
possible to play IL. In some cities, no.
tably Boston and Chicago. the fans fire.
Quently go out to the park in light rain,
knowing that a game may he staged
If the driZHle ceases. In other cities.
not@blv ST. Louis and Philadelphia, the
games are frequently called OF early
in tho morning and the fans have Seen
p trs med to stay home at the slightest
srgc ostion Of rain IN tho sky GMN be-
leyCs in PLAYING a ball game. of the
field iG in condition, no MATTER If the
benches are empty. In ether words.
tho Old Fox believes in sdhering to the
schedule whenever possible So get
ready. you fans, and don't stay down