The Washington herald., 1918-04-19

Even with the great prospects ahead
for the Macks, they have contracted
the disease Of in and out pitching that
has been somewhat OF an epidemic
among the clubs in this early going Of
the American League race. as wobbly
pitching proved the Sleepy City"
teams downfall in the Cape Cod
games.
Doll Perry pitched a creditable
game against the Beantowners in the
opener, but Carl Mays subway
shoots puzzled the batting eyes of the
Macks to such an extent that only
one hit was gathered on his delivery.
Neither the mainstay Meyers or the
veteran Nean Gregg, who is staging
his comeback, were used against Bar
rows team, and one of this pair will
no doubt draw the point honors in the
battle today.
Kopp, Jameson, Walker and Old
ring is the makeup of Mack's outfeld.
The first two are youngsters who have
a great deal Of promise, while the
veterans. Oldring and Walker, are
well known throughout the circuit for
their punching powers. Larry Gar
dener. the veteran third sacker Of the
Red Sox, Is the brains and veteran Of
the inter-trenches, as Burns at first,
Dugan at second and Shannon at
short look to the veteran when the
defensive jams present themselves.
In McAvOy and Perkins, Mack has
picked up two young catchers that
compare with any of either Of the big
leagues, and II he can Just get the
right kind of mound work during this
coming series, Grin's tribe will be
compelled to go at a faster clip than
the promising stride which they show
ed against the Yankees.
The Sphinx pilot himself openly
believes that he has a better team
than has represented the American
League end of the Quaker City
since the days Of the great slugging
machine, but his problem of major
league hurIers still remains to be
solved, but il any one can solve
such a problem it is Connie Mack,
and only time can tell whether he
can reach any kind of a solution
George Du Mont, the sIuggist
box-artist of the Nationals who has
rung up the locals single victory,
will no doubt be Grifrs selection
for this opening game against the
Mackmen. Harry Harper appears
to need q little rest before once
more. stepping on the hill while
Johnson and Yingling are out of
the question. Jimmy Shaw may
draw the honors, but the Old Fox
was as much puzzled last night on
who his boxmen would be as any
of the fans are today.
DU Mont should be ready. as this
youngster seems to be in better
-
the squad. The Fargo Express Is
not one to sidestep work and will
willingly take up the burden il
called upon.
Old Man weather-whoeyer he is
out-guessed Foxy Griff and Miller
Huggins shortly before noon yes
terday, when he wished in a driv-
ing rain that thoroughly soaked the
Florida avenue field. After a short
confab, Wee Miller and Griff de-
cided that the field would be in no
shape for the scheduled game at
$3.50 D. m. but this same weather
man pulled his trump card after a
few minutes and sent Old Sol in
with, kayo punch that beaned
down to such an extent that the
field was good and dry at game
time.
But Huggins could not guess with
the Old Fox and this weather man,
and had packed his tribe away to-
ward Boston harbor for the morn
ing game on Patriotic Day in the
Hub City with Barrow's Bostonians.
Quite a large crowd who journeyed
to the park were disappointed, but
Y will all be forgotten today when
Mack lines his rehabilitated Ath-
leties up against the Nationals.
This forced lay-off will sure
prove a valuable one to Grifrs clan,
as an epidemic of Ia grippe struck
under the dug-Out during the clash
en- Wednesday that placed both
.Ncosta and Eddie Charity in their
beds Joe Judge, Howard Shanks
and Earl Yingling each felt the ef-
fects OF this Hook
Worm" but all will be on hand to-
day, as reports last night claim that
they are once more ready for action.