The Washington times., 1915-06-30
Victory Over Mackmen, Coupled
With Yankees Defeat, Al
lows Nationals to Open Road
Jaunt in Fourth Place, and
All Are Delighted.
Manager Griffith Tlckled at Fine
Work of Doug Neff, and Pre-
diets Bright Things For
Young Virginian Who Now
Holds Down Second Base.
Bv LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

NEW YORK, June 30.-After
hanging around the second division
for almost month the Griffmen are
today in fourth place on the start OF
their second long swing around the
circuit and the Old Fox is tickled.
He thinks that his team is now
about ready to pass some of the
first three teams in the pennant
race. Furthermore, most of the
players have the same bee buzzing
in their bonnets.
"It's been a long, hard pull" said
Manager Griffith today. "At first
the boys couldn't hit behind perfect
pitching. Then, with the hitters
coming through, the pitchers began
blowing games. 1t was enough
to worry a man into sick bed.
Now I really think that the right
combination, good pitching and
timely hitting, has been found. With
that working, we're going to win
lot of ball games"
Manager Griffith Is delighted with the
good showing of Doug Neff. and he
doesn't hesitate in praising him.
"Neff Is one Of the most observant
players I've ever had on any OF my
ball clubs" explained the Old Fox.
"At college he played third and short
never working around second at all.
When I tipped him to do some work
around second base, he surprised me
by the smoothness of his playing. Then
discovered that he had been watching
Morgan for many weeks and knew
about as much Of the Job as the regular
second baseman did.
I'm sorry Morgan got into that
scrape, but it was coming to him and l
have no sympathy Cor him. Under
some conditions his foolishness would
have left the team without capable
substitute. AS it happens. Neff Is ready
to jump right in. and he Is delivering
better goods than Morgan was. When
q green kid can step off the bench and
pound out FIVE hits in seven times up.
fail to see where his manager has any
grounds for complaint. No. I don't ex-
pect him to keep this up. but do think
he'll hit better than Morgan did.
During the exhibition games at Char
lottesvle last spring Nen attracted
considerable attelltioH ny MS stui'
hitting. He made speciality of hard
singles, seldom getting extra bases.
hut he certainly could pound out those
singles that score runs when men are
on the bases. In his two games at
second base he seems to have begun
where he left off and he is sure to i'm
prove in fielding as soon as he becomes
more accustomed to the position.
Non Is personally popular among the
piayers He seldom has anything to
say, but when he does venture to dis
cuss any subject whatever. he always
knows what he IS talking about. Fur
about the latest moving picture show
or some "doll'' he saw in the stand
during the afternoon. He is grad
uate Of the University of Virginia and
shows It in more ways than one.
That the Griffmen may cause a lot
of trouble for the three teams out in
front may be surmised after a glance
at their work since returning from
their disastrous trip around the cir
cult in May. In that time they have
at home. Fifteen have been victories
and ten have been defeats This gives
the team winning average for the
past month of 900 This percentage Ia
close to what the White Sox have done
since the season started and Is better
than the standing Of every other club
in the league, barring the White Sox.
II the team can hold to this average
on the trip 1t is certain to go back
TO Washington higher than fourth in
the race for the supreme honors.
Following is the complete record of
+ha rrifFmen since ending their first