Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-04

Boston, like New York, undoubtedly
will benefit by it's stay in Philadelphia
for the Mackmen are going poorly, and
seem to be worse off in the matter of
pitchers than ever before.
That Hans Wagner is very apt to
wind up the season with batting
average which will exceed anything
he has done with the bat in recent
years IL the general opinion Of those
who have seen the Flying Dutchman"
perform this season. Wagner, accord
ing to some critics, is playing better
ball now than he has in some time
His hitting has been most timely, and
there still is hope of the Pirates being
in the first division.
This most remarkable veteran still is
the superior of his former rival Lajoie.
He plays position which forces him
10 cover more ground and he is easily
outhtttine the Frenchman. besides
stealing bases whenever the oppor-
tunity affords. In base running
Wagner, from the time of his breaking
into the big leagues, always has been
Lajoie's superior.
What was expected all during the
training season, so far as Mathewson' g
ability to help the Giants during the
present season is concerned, seems to
dom called on the veteran, who needs
lot of rest between games. Matty
started the season in a manner when
was Impressive and II he had been able
to keep up this pace there is no doubt
That the Giants would have mad a
spIeudid chance to win the flag But
Z, may be that later in the season
afatty will be OF help. but this is doubt
I'd nv those who are most anxious TO
, see him displaying his old form for
McGraw.
Though the Brooklyn Dodgers stu have
a comfortable lead they are being hard
pressed by the Braves. and 1t is :rgueS
, l1s-& allings will win out because he
has superior vitching staff. Nehf, Ru-
.oIph. Tyler Barnes. Reulbach and
Huzhe. ali are pitching alright ball and
II is not going to be an easy matter 10
stop them from winning
q Incidentally. the team is hitting Wen
, Kone.chy- is so much better with the stick
than he was in the Federal League last
season that he now is considered one of
the most dangerous batsmen In the
league Sherwood Magee also is doing a
lot Of timely hitting.
The great Alexander is pitching in hard
luck He has lost his last three games.
though he has held the opposition TO a
few runs because his teammates have
failed TO do the required amount of stuck
work behind him.
In due time, no doubt. the Phillies star
will get the breaks which made him the
leading pitcher in the country, And with
out these he or no other twirler be
expected to win large majority of the
games he works in.
when the Yankees were playing or
ratio ball early IN the season wise men
were inclined to blame the mana gerial
methods OF Bill Donovan, says Joe Villa
In the Evening Sun. But the fact that
win the Ban Johnson pen!ant appar-
emily has silenced Wild Bilr@ critics
As matter of record Douo.au ha s
managed the Yankees caraDir ever
~trce the beginning OF the Calnpaign
He was forced to experiment with sew
eTal pitchers lie started OF with a
rev man at second base, the most i'm =
rortant position in the infeld. Gill
hooley. in right field, also was an ex-
@arimrnt. together with Catcher Wal
->rs. Donovan, therefore. had TO learn
r1anv things before he could oil the
machinery.
There isn't doubt in my mind that
Donovan is responsible for the excel
ridge and Heating in the box. The
Yankee manager. once famous pitch
himself. has given many valuable
pointers to these men. He is develop
ing Russell and Markle. too. It was a
hard blow TO the team when Maise
was severely injured, but Donovan ha.
gone along smoothly with High. Maget
and Giihooley IN the outheld. Dono.
van has not been to blame for the Low
hattirg averages of Raker and Magee
w. these stars are beginning to com: