Evening star., 1917-05-06

Confidence is begotten by victory and
the local outfit has had SO little of the
latter that 1t is no wonder that their
dampened enthusiasm has acted as
muffler on their vocal chords. 1t was
observed that Harper's triumph over
the Yankees last Tuesday acted in the
who talked it up more In the last
two games with the New Workers than
at any time this season. The Grinmen
are not lacking in spirit. The old hight
10 there. 1t has not been much in evil
dence, that is true, but about three VIC
tories in a row would wake them up to
the point where they would sound like
the outfit of 1928, even If they did
not look 1t.
A comparison of the standing of the
major leagues year ago and at th1s
time shows number of marked
changes, in addition to that OF the
Washington club. Detroit. in 1916, was
fighting for second place. but is now
only half game removed from the To-
calls for the cellar position McGraw's
Giants, now in the van in the Natlonal
League, year ago were floundering
around in the cellar, having won only
one game up to the 1st of May. How
ever the Giants later in the season
proved that the standing at this. season
of the year means nothing, something
the Boston Braves in 1914 demonstrated
more conclusively than ever had been
done before, when they went from last
place on July ! to pennant and top
ped 1t off by taking four straight from
the unbeatable" Athletics in the world
series.
OF the six games won by the Griffmen
Shaw and johnson are credited with
two apiece and Harper and Gallia each
one In the games lost" column John
son and Ayers each has three chalked
up against him, Galiia two and Shaw
and pu Mont one apiece. Neither john
son nor Gallia has displayed as much
effectiveness as was expected OF him,
but both undoubtedly will reach their
true stride shortly. in which csse, with
Shaw and Harper displaying the PROV
ess they did in their last games and
Du Mont in the best of shape. Grifl1th
will have a pitching staff that Will
compare favorably with any in the
league Then if his "old infield' does
not crumble on the defense the team
should crawl up two or three notches
in the race. as the hitting has been bet
ter than fair. even with Rice batting
more than fifty points below the mark
he is capable of.
Manager Griffith's appeal for funds
with which to supply the enlisted men
ball paraphernalia is meeting with an
encouraging response. He has re-
ceived contributions from nearly all
the umpires in both major league cir
cults. and yesterday acknowledged a
check from the headquarters of the
New York National League club. rep
resenting a donation from each and
every member of the Giants squad
The local managers plan is both pa
triotic and sensible. and is deserving
of the hearty support of sport-loving
persons. whether base ball enthusiasts
or not.
Ban Johnson. in addition to being
the most able executive base ball ever
has known. also is a good Judge of
players, and it is the opinion of the
American League head that Griffith has
a strong team.
II look for one of the tightest races
in the history of the American League
this year" Johnson said yesterday.
"and if the Washington team is not
in the thick of the fight I will be
very much surprised The game it
put up Thursday against the Yankees
demonstrated beyond doubt that the
team has both speed and brains. and