The Washington times., 1917-04-12
GRIFFMEN BETTER
THAN MACK'SLADS
First Game Shows Nationals
0utcIass Athletics Man
for Man.
FAIL IN MANY PlNCHES
Batters Are Weak and Amos
Strunk Is Due to Support
Two outfielders.
FAIL IN MANY PINcHES
by LOUIS A. DOUGHER.

PHILADELPHIA, April 12.-Those
wise lads who picked the MaclSmen
to finish in October higher than the
Griffmen should have seen the two
teams in their opening clash of the
campaign. The Washington team,
man for man, outshone their oppo-
nents, from Walter Johnson down.
Here and there the edge had to go
to the home boys, but the summing
up shows that Griff has a better team
under his command than Connie
Mack has.
The Griffmen, in their new uni
forms, were given a hearty reception
by the 1000 fans at Shibe Park.
Leaving the grounds, many fans were
heard to say that Washington "ought
TO be a first division team, IL It plays
that way all summer"
Are Poor Fielders.
The Mackmen have two weak sis
ters in the outfield in Frank Thrash
er and Ping Bodie. OF course, they
will look better at the bat than they
did against the marvellous Walter
johnson, but they had several chances
yesterday to prove the fielding
ability and they failed in the pinch.
Amos Strunk should set record for
putouts this season, for he will have
to roam from right to Teft every day,
doing his best % make up for his sup
porters.
Lawry, at second base, is small and
fast, but he is not impressive with
the fail.
Bates, at third base, is a tall chap.
Il faf- ffa1dar hut
nothing much with the bat.
So much for the new men Connie
Mack showed his fans here yesterday.
Washington rooters should not worry
too much about finishing behind the
Mackmen. 1t will hardly happen.
VIII Improve On IL.
Having seen the ceremonies of the
opening day here, Manager Griffith
is firmly convinced that he Will i'm
prove on them when he goes back to
Georgia avenue next week.
At am not criticising, but the Ath-
letics advertised a military drill and
then failed to deliver the goods" is
the comment of Manager Griffith. 81
guess the boys were a bft nervous,
that's ALL When we get home for our
opening day well show the fans that
We know something about marching
1t won't be merely a parade to center
field and back again Wen show
something better"
At that, the few brief weeks Of drill
given the ball players was shown by
their increased military carriage yes
terday. The Mackmen looked like
soldiers in their precision Gone was
the slipshod walking OF other days,
and the fans were quick to note It.
Fans Are Patriotic.
The influence OF war was clearly
marked by the readiness with which
every fan in the park stood. the men
with their hats in their hands, while
the national emblem was being raised
TO the top OF the pole and the band
played The Star-Spangled Banner"
There wasn't the slightest hesitation
about this, and Philadelphia has given
Washington an excellent example in
patriotism. Here's hoping that there
won't be a laggard at Georgia avenue
next week.
While he does not expect to make
any cleanup here, the Old Fox is 60
ing after every game, hoping that,
with Bush out OF the way, he may
have less trouble with the other
pitchers. 1t is possible that the Griffs
may win three of the four games
scheduled here, judging from the first
exhibition.
Jim Shaw. Bert Gallia. and George
Du Mont will probably be selected to
start in the coming battles against
the Macks, with Doc Ayers acting as
relief twirler in case of accident