The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-04-03
COMPARISON To BEL
OFFERED AS YANKS|
MEET THE DODGERS
Fans viii Follow Hitting to See
Where Grlffmen Stand With
Donovan Clan.
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

The first comparison OF the Griffmen
and Yankees will be offered tomorrow
when Bill Donovan's clan opens series
with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Inasmuch
as many fans believe the Grifrs Will
have to beat out the Yanks for first d.
vision honors. the two contests in the
metropolis are sure 10 be watched
closely.
Following the Yankee-Dodgers series,
the Red Sox will take on Robinson's
team for three games. offering another
comparison of the Georgia avenue lads
with an American League contender.
Tuesday and Wednesday the Yanks
hook up with the Dodgers. and then the
three remaining days of the week will
see the worlds champions loosening up
their muscles at Ebbets Field.
In their two games here the Dodgers
did not outclass Griff's team, by any
means, but the weak hitting OF the
home boys has set the fans thinking
It Is this department that has been
spring. and 1t is this STRENGTHENING
which may sway the balance IN favor
of the Yankees.
The pitching used against the Grifr-
men by Wilbert Robinson was OF a
high caliber, and there is no reason for
thinking II will not be equally good
against the Yankees, thus Offering a
fair comparison between the two teams
that will open the American League
campaign a week from Wednesday in
New York.
Georgetown's luck remains the worst
In the world. Wet grounds made it i'm
Georgia avenue between the Hilitoppers
and the Griffmen. This is the second
time this spring that John O'Reilly's
lads have lost out in their attempt to
battle the big leaguers.
The Yannigans will play Georgetown's
varsity team next Monday afternoon,
Manager Griffith making arrangements
with Graduate Manager Charlie Cox to-
day.
The Griffmen are due to fall out
of the frst division this season. ac-
cording to Bozeman Bulger. the New
York baseball writer, who says he
has obtained a consensus opinion
from various players and managers in
the nrst division will consist Of New
York, Red Sox. White Sox, and Tigers.
though not necessarily in that order.
He names the first four National
Braves. Phiiiies. and Giants, again not
holding them down to that order.
Because the Red sox and the
brooklyn Dodgers are placed first in
mean. necessarily. that the players
writes Bulger "They merely men
tion what. they consider first division
teams. Among ball players, you
know, 1t Is a belief that the winning
of a championship is largely a matter
of luck and circumstances after the
season gets we'll under way. In other
words, they mean that all of the clubs
mentioned are strong enough to hold a
place in the first division and can
stand a drive II they get in the proper
position.
ut may be surprising to the average
fan To learn that the ball player fig
erS. and not the hitters. That is why
they all lean toward the Red SoX in
stead Of the Tigers There is no ques-
ton about Hughey Jennings having
the strongest hitting team for in
&C. wS Sst hs Win Ief hSTs s SHfsfGR
pitchers to hold down the opposition.
II the Tigers had two more good
pitchers-providing. of course. the vet
Grams kept up their standard Of last
race OF 1t. On the other hand, the
Red Sox have the pitchers and are also
strong In the hitting department.
Il don't see" said Mathewson. how
you can attribute weakness to a ball
Leonard. Foster. and Ruth"
On paper the White Sox appear to
be powerful club. They have every
thing that money could buy to make
them q perfect machine; but history
cannot be figured in dollars. The
White Sox had a wonderful club last
year, but weakened in the middle of
the season and dropped back toward
''ThS Yanks. the club that is of gen.