New-York tribune., 1918-04-16
Frank Baker Helps Humble
The Great Walter Johnson
Higgins Men Get Eleven
Hits and Win by
s to 3 Score
By Charles A. Taylor

WASHINGTON, April l5.-The great
Walter Johnson was overthrown here
to-day in the presence of $4,000 fans
The score was to g.
The Yankees did this surprising trick
and thereby made most auspicious
start in the race for the American
League pennant. In the memory of the
Oldest Washington fan, who sat imme-
dlately back Of the press box, never
before has the great Walter been so
Inundated in an opening game on the
home grounds.
1t was hoped that President Wilson
would be on hand to toss out the first
ball, but the death of Senator Stone
and the fact that the funeral rites of
the Missouri legislator were to be held
at the same hour the contest on the
diamond was to start made it impos-
sihle for the President to inaugurate
the baseball season here.
The death of Senator Stone had its
effect on the whole official world of the
capital, but tho lesser lights of the
Administration were present and SEEM
lngly equipped with the strongest of
lung power. They had little chance to
enthuse, but they grabbed the oppor-
tunities offered with the utmost zeal
ousness
Ihe preliminaries to the ball game
were OF the usual sort, with the excep-
tlon that Liberty bond sales car was
driven around the field before the hos
/
/ geant Marshall, of the United States
Army made an earnest plea for bond
Purchascs. The sergeant enlisted in the
french army in 1916 and then trans
ferred his allegiance when his own
country entered the conflict
Awakes the Bleacherites
1t was most fitting that he should be
there, for rabid baseball fans are apt
to forget on such an occasion that any
thlng save nome rrLAs, Or the expecta-
tlon OF them, or perhaps few snappv
double plays coming in the pinch when
they are most needed to rescue the
nome team counts for much. The ser
geaht was just the man to awake the
bleacherltes without IN the least mar
ring their enjoyment.
In the absence of the President. the
first ball was hurled upon the diamond
by Louis |. Brownlow, Commissioner
of the District of Columbia and a for
mer newspaper man. The throw
reached the glove of Eddie Ainsmith
the Washington catcher, on the bounce
which proved conclusively that Mr.
Brownlow IS doubtless a good commits
sloner and probable was a fine news
paper man.
Having properly introduced the pro.
ceedlngs, il would seem appropriate tc
describe just what befell the famous
Walter Johnson. 1t is necessary te
commence at the beginning, or, ir
other words, the first inning, for thai
Is when the staggering blows began t.
crash and resound from the bats of tht
Higgins men.
Little Gilhooley was easily disposed
Of, pitcher to first. Elmer Miller stoot
patiently until the great Walter hae
thrown two balls, and then ignored the
next Offering which cut the centre OF
the plate and loosened the throats OF
Washington fandom who settled back
in their seats confident that their won.
derful twirler, having thrown his
strike of the season, was now prepared
to make short work of the Yanks. But
Elmer broke the spell and closed the
throats with savage drive past Eddie
Foster for n single.
Pratt Flies Out
Pratt restored the hopes Of the local
rooters somewhat by flying out to Shot.
ton in right. Wally Pipp continued the
onslaught on Johnson with slow
grounder to Morgan which he beat to
first, Miller speeding to second. Our
old and reliable friend Frank Bake,