Evening star., 1916-05-06
HAVE GOOD CHANCE
TO STAY IN FRONT
Nationals Prospects for Re-
tanning Lead More Favorable
), Than Ever Before.
GRIFFITH'S YOUNGSTERS
EXPECTED TO IMPROVE
Much Depends on Outcome of Pres
ent Series With the Athletics
in Philadelphia.
BY J. ED aR1LLo.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
PHILADELPHIA, May 6.-There have
been other occasions in the Griffith
regime when the Washington team has
led the race at this season of the year.
only to lose it after the route became
long. Those were the days when the
Athletics were we'll nigh unbeatable by
the Griffmen. Never before when the
Nationals were in front have the pros
poets been as bright as this spring, for
the team is stronger now, and it there
fore should be able to last longer as
the leader of the race. At no time
since Griffith has been in charge has
the team been so we'll fortified in any
department as it is at the present time
Heretofore, for instance, the teams
ly of Walter johnson and perhaps one
other twirler. Now there are nine
twirlers on the staff. any one of whom
may win any time he is started. while
the teams general strength also is
much improved.
With a corps of good hitters. bril-
seems to be a real chance for the
Washington team this season. 1t will
not be easy sailing. but if the Griffmen
have their share of the breaks when
the pinch comes the American League
may have brand-new contender in
the world series in October.
Much depends on the outcome of the
games here. If the remaining two con-
tests should be won the Nationals will
be leading when they start their first
series of struggles with the western
contingent, and as these teams do not
seem to be as formida BILE as they were
supposed, all of them being fairly well
punched, there is hope of the Nationals
winning enough games from them on
the Washington grounds to give them
quite an advantage in the race, and
have them going west in front by
fair margin, which not only would
make the team one of the greatest
drawing cards in the history of the
league. but it would give 1t chance to
virtually cinch high position in the
pennant race.
Time does not alter Walter Johnsons
remarkable disposition. Years of sue
cess have not changed the great pitch
er and he is daily becoming more
popular with the players as we'll as
the public.
When the Phillies were in Washing
ton for a couple of exhibition games.
Manager Pat Moran walked into the
park one morning to see Manager
Griffith and he happened to run across
Walter johnson IS he was entering.
He was somewhat surprised when
Walter. extending his hand. saluted
him with How do YOU do. Mr. Moran:
1 am glad to see you again. When
Moran got back to his hotel he told his
and said. "It was the first time in
many years that any one ever called
me Mr.. Moran
Grifith is not expected to change his
plans for today's game. 1t is likely
that Capt Mcbride will be back in the
lne-up. for his ankle seems to have
.mended. and there is no reason for not
working Harper against the Athletics.
Manager Griffith had intended to take
the BOYS to the ball park yesterday
afternoon and give them good work
out. but he found that the grounds
were much too soft for practice and
he called it off. The players who didn't
go to picture shows contented them
selves playing cards.
Every day when the team is at home
the pitchers catchers and those who
do not play regularly are allowed to
bat for fully an hour before the regu
lars take their daily swings at the
! ball In this way Manager Griffith
hopes to teach hs pitchers the knack of
batting and incidentally keep the eyes
of a couple of utility men ready for
hitting IL it should be necessary to put
them in the game. In this way he aims
to prevent an accident from weakening
the batting of the team by putting in
a player who has not had a chance to
practice hitting.
Manager Grif1th has some very val
liable players farmed out, every one of
whom he can recall next fall Horace
Milan is hitting the ball and playing
great game for Newark, while Kopp,
the little fellow who was obtained from
the Canadian League and sent to Buff
falo in exchange for Judge and Jamie-
son, is proving himself a sensation in
the international because of his ability
to hit Out in Minneapolis Carl Cash
ion and Baldomero Acosta are helping
Joe Cantillon to another pennant
Cashion, whose arm has entirely recov
cred, now is able to field and throw as
well as ever. Cashion is terrific hit
ter and may be found in one of Grif-
fth's outfield positions next summer.
Big Cash always could hit about as