New-York tribune., 1918-04-16

For to-day's opening at the Polo
grounds, which will be observed with
customary pomp and display Of flags
arranges one Of those little inter
borough feuds which can happen no
more often than once every three
years. Uncle Wilbert Robinson's
Dodgers are to furnish the opposition
to McGraw's championship band.
Every time Brooklyn and New York
clubs meet head-on in championship
battle, whether it be the first or the
last game Of the season, one is as
sured of run for his money. Old
sores exist between these clubs which
time cannot heal. And the irritation
is the more pronounced just now be-
cause of the fact that the wrong end
of the bridge harbors two former idols
of the Coogan pasture, Wilbert Rob-
inson and Rube Marquard.
The Rube May Pitch
1t is quite probable that Marquard,
who won his chief pitching honors
while wearing the livery OF McGraw,
may be given an opportunity to strike
back in revenge at his former mentor
this afternoon. Robinson admitted last
night that he was quite undecided as
to his pitching selection. He inti-
mated, however, that Of three likely
candidates, the Rube to date seemed
to have a shade the preference. Jack
!. Coombs, the veteran, who won moro
than dozen games from the Giants
before they finally took him over the
hurdles last summer, thinks himself
fit to play tricks with the champions.
Burleigh Grimes, who came with Chuck
Ward. recently drafted into the army,
to Brooklyn in exchange for Casey
Stengel and George Cutshaw, has
shown wonderful form throughout the
training trip and especially in the ex-
hibition games against the Red SoX.
Uncle Robbie will probably warm up
all three of these fellows. and pick the
one that shows the most stuff in
practice.
Herzog May Play Part
A most unusual dilemma confronts the
usually placid and serene John Joseph
McGraw as this page is whisked away
to press-a real nightmare that may
block his best laid strategical plans.
There is little doubt that Little Ma
poleon would like to rush Jess Barnes
into the rifle pit against the hated foe
from Flatbush. But instead of using
Barnes he may have to bid farewell
to this sterling right handler as we'll
as to Laughing Larry Doyle. 1t all de-
pends on the behavior of Charles Lin
coin Herzog.
Up to late hour last night no one
seemed to know juzt where Herzog
would turn up to-day. If he reports to
George Stallings' Braves at Philadel-
phia, Barnes and Doyle will remain
with the Giants. If he makes good his
threat to force his unwelcome presence
upon McGraw, then Doyle and Barnes
will have to pack up and beat it as
fast as possible to the Braves at Quaker
town. This point was made quite clear
Yesterday by President John X. Tener,
| of the National League.
MIR. Tener intimated, however, that
there was reason to believe something
definite might develop before game
time that would relieve the EN- mbarrass-
ing situation What that could be, aside
from New York's financial aid toward
Boston's meeting Herzog's shylock
terms, is difficult to understand. Presl-
dent Hampstead, of the Giants, declared
emphaticalIy that his club would con-
done no underhanded dealing - l. G.,
through Boston-with Herzog. He in
] sisted Charlie would have to face n
showdown. Nothing had been heard