The Washington times., 1915-04-24
Henri Rondeau Also Picks Up
in His OutfieId Work and
May Be Used 0ftener on Ac-
count Of His Hitting.
Captain Houston Informs "0Id
Fox" of His Belief That the
Nationals Will Win American
League Flag.
By LOUIS A. DOUGHER.

Merito Acosta may make himself a
regular berth on the Nationals before
Danny Moeller returns to action. In
deed, the outfleld situation Is beginning
to become what is called Interesting.
You can't pin the Old Fox down to
much. but he admits after much hector
Ing that Acosta and Henri Rondeau are
filling the bill. Further than that. how
ever, the Old Fox declines to go.
you've got 1t all wrong" he explains.
III you think that any one set of men
Is to be chosen and kept in the lineup
day after day. even when not going
we'll. AS long as a man Is doing we'll.
he'll stay in. The moment he begins to
show the strain, out he'll come in favor
of one Of the bench-warmers.
Speaking of Acosta and Rondeau.
though, I'm willing to say that both are
doing verv well. Acosta is mighty near
being a regular right now. To be sure.
Moeller leaves big gap IN the running
Havana is not a slouch on the bases.
He's doing we'll enough to suit me. In
his last two games. out OF nine trips
to the plate he has reached first base
lead-off man getting on. With Foster
coming up behind him. Acosta would bo
a most dangerous man on the bases
But Moeller has proven beyond all
like to change things in a minute.
THE more see of Rondeau. the bet
ter he looks as fielder: That catch
he made Thursday. off Pipp- called for
The wind carried the ball away from
him and he had to 60 out after It.
Well. he got it and that settles HIS
ability In my mind He minds his busi-
ness. plays ball all the time and looks
good enough for me.
However. as I said before, I have
by no means settled upon any three
men to play the outfield I'll keep them
the goods. I've got too many good ones
to let them grow rusty on the bench"
Capt. Tillinghast Houston, one Of the
has a potential pennant winner this
year He told him so last night in
little tanning bee at the Ansonia.
I'll admit my ignorance of much in
side stuff in baseball" says the cap
tain. but the Washington club seems to
be well oiled machine. In a long
season, this should count for much. I've
seen several National League teams
this spring. but I haven't seen any
tionals showed here Thursday. With
Philadelphia taking the count, 1t looks
to me as If Washington had an excel
lent opportunity to win the pennant."
Captain Huston was inclined to he
frank and open about the rumora con-
Meeting Frank Baker with the Yankees.
He denied that Baker was to come tn
the Yanks, though admitting that he
could use him.
Indeed, think 1t would be better for
the league to have Baker with the Ath
letlcs, said he. 1T would add to the
attractiVeness OF the race. OF course
Ia like to have him with my team. but
for the general good he ought to ne
with Mack"
Captain Huston is a good mixer. and
In his short regime here he has en-
deared himself to many. who are root
ing for him. He says he is willing to
spend money for winner. if the SPEND
ing will bring a winner. Clark Grif-
nth hastened to tell him that mere
money cannot insure winner, pointing
out many cases. but dwelling longest
on Comiskey's White Sox club
Look at Chicago" said GriF. Com
my knows as much baseball as any
man living. In addition, he has plenty
or money, and it means nothing to him
to spend it. But has he winner?
This very winter he went out and paid
$4,000 for Eddie Collins signing him
to a $4,000 salary for five years.
There's combination that, on pure
dope. ought to win-baseball experience
and money. But Commy hasn't won a
thing since he tucked in back in 1896
lot of luck figures in winning a pen
nant. and l am pulling for myself to
have luck. l think my team can hold
It's own against everything but bad
luck"
Guess you're right" replied Captain
Huston. But II the Yankees need any
spending of money, Bill Donovan will
not be Handicapped. We hope to give
- New York at least n first division team
in year or two. Maybe by that time
our luck may be better and we can win
a flag.
There was. some grumbling yesterday
when 1t was learned that the clash
had been postponed at the Polo
Grounds. The sun came out at noon
and got on the job of driving up the
field. However, 1t had raned hard
during the night, and the diamond was
In bad shape. Captain Huston and
Bill Donovan called around to the ho-
tel and took Clark Griffith for a motor
car parade that lasted all afternoon.
Zeb Milan organized little party OF
players for a Journey over to Newark
to see Germany" Schaefer playing
right field for the Feds. IT'S worth
the money and the long ride just to see
him playing the outfeld," laughed Zeh.
The moving picture shows up and
down Broadway We're all visited by
small knots of players, while after din
ner vaudeville shows cut in on the
movies. Tomorrow night George Nc
Bride. fight fend. is to chaperone a
party to the st. Nicholas boxing bouts.