The Washington times., 1918-07-16

same speed or the same hitting po
spite of themselves; the Indians m
The Indians. with but three vic
tories out OF nine games played with
the GriEmen, are anxious to make
q clean sweep OF this second series
at Georgia avenue, and from where
we sit. there is little to prevent Judg-
ing from tbeir poor work against the
Brownies and Tigers. the Grinmen
are sadly in need of q tonic. They
may surprise everybody by suddenly
dashing si'ead. but they have rot
offered much in the way of a promise
lately.
Need More CIoutIBE.
Every rooter knows that the Griff-
men need more clouting. The absence
OF Zeb Milan last week greatly low
cred the attacking strength Of the
team. for zeb is its one commendable
hitter.
Mr.. Griffith believes he may win
the title through fielding and pitch
ing strength. but championship teams
show more steadiness and more of the
will to win" a common phrase in
these war days. than the Griffs have
displayed for more than a week
The Griffmen had their "dobbers
down" all through the Brownies
series. They seemed to be expecting
the axe every minute. And they got
It
When the Tigers arrived. better
things were expected. They were not
visible TO the naked eye. Harper dis
PLAYED the best form OF all the pitch
GERS, bad luck bringing about his
defeat Only in Harper's game did
the team show its Wanted strength
in the ield-
In Dangerous Position.
Getting right down to cases, the
Criffmen are today in a dangerous
position. They are about TO slide
down into the second division Know
ing their own weaknesses, riding in
the second division may take all
their spirit and result in their finish
ing there
Joe Judge has been practically use
less at the plate ever since July
came along. His poor hitting seems
TO have affected his fielding, too.
Bert Shotton's value at the bat is
dwindIing from day 20 day. For ev
dence. consult the batting averages
for the past month.
Counting Schultz a regular in the
outfield. just four Griffmen are hit
ting for at least -25O, with Judge
at .241. Morgan at -23i, Foster at Pa,
and Shanks at PAP.
It is not impossible for a team to
win a pennant with so many weak
hitters. II has been done. Bat
against the opposition offered by the
Red Sox. Yankees, and Indians the
Grihfmen's chances cannot be de-
scribed as rosy.
Don't Overlook Red Sox.
Don't overlook the Red Sox in this
1918 pennant chase. So long as they
have Babe Ruth in the line up, they
mack a punch, And Sam Jones is
pitching major league ball this sea
son, unless the caliber OF the Opposi-
tion has finally caught up to him in
its downward tendency.
Judging from the major league
ifne-ups as they appear in the papers
these days, the game is slowing up.
When Jack Coffey can fit in with the
Tigers, explanations are in order.
About ten years ago Coffey proved a
bIoomer with the Boston National
Ieaguers. He sunk to the Western
League and failed on a trial with the
INDIANAPOLIS American Association
club. Now, yelling for help, Jennings
ands him UNATTACHED and signs him
one of the weaknesses sure to af-
feet the Red Sox this year is their
minor Ieaguers, Stansbury, Bluhm,
ana Bar al AAAANN AHAAAAN - ~ NAAN
big show in the past The same thing
holds true Of the Yankees, though not
in such a degree. Indeed. Ham"
Hyatt is said to have failed already
and that Ray Caldwell will replace
Pipp when Uncle sam calls the big
FIRST bssemsn.
The Griffmen may prove pennant
winners, but they haven't acted the
part for more than week.
FeIAeh wOuId Return.
Happy Felsch, who deserted the
worlds champions a couple of weeks
ago. is now reported to be anxious
70 return 70 the game. but not TO the
White Sox-
Felsch did not go to work for q
gas company, says the report, but is
on q vacation. and has written .