The Washington times., 1917-08-06
NINE DAYS REMAIN
ERE GRIFFS MUST
/ LEAVE FOR WEST
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

Only nine more baseball days re-
main for Washington fans before the
Grifmen leave for their final swing
around the league circuit.
Two more battles are scheduled
with Fielder Jones' lopsided Brownies
and then come the leading White
Sox, foaming at the mouth and most
eager to rend and tear the Griffmen.
The White Sox will be here for the
last four days Of the week.
Next Monday Bill Donovan's
chastened Yankees will appear at
Georgia avenue for a three-day visit,
bringing to an end the present home
stay Of Clark Grifith's boys.
The Gfiffmen have won seven and
lest seven OF their contests with the
St Louis Browns. They have won
nHs out OF eleven from the Yankees.
But before the White sox they have
been lGnsntably weak all year, win
ming but three out of thirteen bat
tISh.
GFinmen IneohsIstent.
Like all weak teams, the GrIftmen
are Inconsistent. 1t is impossible TO
say ahead OF time what sort of
game they will play against any op-
pOntnt- Hammered almost until un-
eenlcious by the Tigers in their first
game last week, the Griffs came back
and battled the enemy tooth and nail
fer an even break
With two victories by scores of 10
to and 8 to 4, the Tigers threatened
10 run away with the series. but the
embattled Griffmen pulled themselves
totether, fought a thirteen-inning
game, winning, 8 TO 4, and then copied
4-to-2 triumph in the final. 1t il such
work that drives well-meaning fans
crazy. Just when they have lost all
hope in the outht, the team does
something that ruins the whole con-
founded scheme.
Last week, beginning with the
Jehnsonian victory at Cleveland on
Sunday, the Grifimen played seven
games, wtnning four and losing three
Ayers LOOks Good.
Doc Ayers, the big Virginia twirler,
was tried with considerable success
last year, leading many fans to won
NJ NAg A1 AAA GIdENGu OLkCuGE. AyoTN
has not started half a dozen games
al season, being reserved for the more
grueltng grind In the bull pen before
relieving those weak sisters OF 1917,
Bart Qallia and George Du Mont.
Du Aonts frailty seems to initiate
against his success as a pitcher back
ed BY light hitting team. He lacks
the rugged physique OF Ayers, John
son, Shaw or Harper. 1t is doubtful
81 he is strong as Gallia- Judged by
his work this season, Du Mont cannot
travel the whole distance at top
speed when he must pitch every
ball, that is, cannot lay up every
nov and then.
Locking to the Future.
Il 70 an old story for Washington
tAnS to swat till next year" but
long-heGdsd fans are already begin
ming to consider what the Griffmen
will DO in 1918.
Apparently the military draft will
have little, II any, effect upon the
personnel OF the teem, but it may
weaken several teams now stronger
than the Washington team, notably
the White Sox and Red sox, II the
stronger clubs lose some of their best
players. the Griffmen, even with their
pESsSAI- AAh5-ApS miknl manage 10
cause trouble,
But with this 1917 lineup intact,
or only strengthened in one or two
places, the GFiffmsn can hope for no
laurel wFeaths next season, unless the
clubs are more evenly balanced by
the draft.
InfieideFs are Weak
The Washington infisld, once
known as q veritabIe stone wall, is
now one of the weakest in the league.
The Browns seem TO be a bit weaker,
though not much. Radical changes
will have to be made, II the team is TO |
be improved,
Rice and zeb Milan are major league |
eutfielders. The Old Fox still needs |
. third player for his garden.
Reserve players, needed by the |
strongest teams, must be obtained for |
the Washington club. The phesent |
bunch OF extra men do not fill the |
bill.
Manager Grififth's task is not light.
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