The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-05-30
Copyright. lsB.)
tOOTyrlgnt, isioJ
nT ELBOWS, it's this way. You've
got to win today's game. It's


One more hard scrap and we're done
OF all the uphill fights any bunch
ever made to land the flag, ours has
been the best. You're the best team
/ ever managed, the gamest gang OF
ball players that ever stepped IN
spikes. We've played in the hardest
kind of luck all season, except that
short trip we called the Rubc's
Honeymoon. We got bad start, and
sore arms and busted fingers, all
kinds of injuries. every accident cal
culatcd to hurt teams chances,
came our way. But in spite OF it all
we got the lead and we've held it. and
today we're still few points ahead OF
Buffalo"
paused to catch my breath, and
looked round on the grim, tired faces
OF my players. They made a stern
group. The close of the season found
them almost played out. What a
hard chance it was, after their extra
ordinary efforts, to bring the issue OF
the Pennant down to this last game!
"If we lose today. Buffalo, with
three games more to play at home
will pull the bunting" went on. But
they're not going to win! I'm putting
it up to you that way. / know Spears
is all in; Raddy's arm is gone; Ash
is playing on one leg; you're all
crippled. But you've got one more
game in you, | know. These last few
weeks the RUDE has been pitching out
OF turn and he's about all in, too.
He's kept us in the lead. If he wins
TODAY it'll be the Rubc's Pennant. But
that might apply to all of you. Now,
shall we talk over the play today: :
ANY tricks to pull off? Any inside
work.
Con, you're pretty much upset an
nervous" replied Spears. soberly. 1T
amt no wonder. This has been one
corker OF season. l want to suggest
that YOU let me run the team today.
I've talked over the play with the fell
lcrs. We amt goin' to lose this game,
Con. Buffalo has been comm with a
rush lately, an they're confident. But
we've been holdin' in, restin' up as
much as we dared an still keep our
lead. Mebbe it'll surprise you to know
we've bet every dollar we could get
hold of on this game. Why, Buffalo
money is everywhere.
All right, Spears, I'll turn the
team over to you. We've got the ban
ncr crowd of the year out there right
now, a great crowd to play before.
I'm more fused up over this game
than any | remember. But | have
sort OF blind faith in my team. - |
guess that's all | want to say" -
Spears led the silent players out OF
the dressing room and | followed;
and while they began to toss balls to
and fro, to Timber up cold dead arms,
sat on the bench.
The Bisons were prancing about the
diamond, and their staggering assur-
ance was not conducive to hope for
the Worcestcrs. | wondered how
many OF that vast, noisy audience, in
tent on the days sport, even had a
thought of what pain and toll it meant
to my players. The Buffalo men were
in good shape; they had been lucky;
they were at the top of their stride,
and that made all the difference.
At any rate, there were few faith
full little women in the grandstand-I
Milly and Nan and Rose Stringcr and
katc Bogart-who sat with compress
ed lips and hoped and prayed for that
game to begin and end.
The gong called off the practice, and
Spears, taking the field, yelled gruff
encouragement to his men. Umpire
Garter brushed off the plate and toss
cd white ball to the Rubc and call
ed: Play" The bleachers set up an
cxultant, satisfied shout and sat down
to wait.
Schultz toed the plate and watched
the Rubc pitch a couple. There SEEM
cd to be no diminution OF the great
pitchers speed and both balls cut the
plate. Schultz clipped the next one
down the third-base line. Bogart trap
ped it close to the bag, and got it |
away underhand beating the speedy
runner by a nose. 1t was pretty play |
10 start with, and the spectators were |
not olose-mouthed in appreciation |
The short. stocky Carl ambled up to
bat, and | heard him call the Rube |
something. 1t was not friendly con-
test. this deciding game between Buff
falo and Worcester.
Bling one close to his swellcd NUT"
growled Spears to the RUDE.
Carl chopped bouncing grounder
through short and Ash. was after it |
like tiger, but it was hit. The Buff
falo contingent opened up. Then Man
ming faced the Rube. and he, too,
vented sarcasm. 1t might not have
been heard by the slow, imperturbable |
pitcher for all the notice he took. Carl
edged off first. slid back twice, got a |
.k,xt 90 DID,. -. 4 L