Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-24
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

NEW YORK. April 24.-With a prom
Use of favorable weather there should
be an enormous crowd on hand at the
Polo Grounds here today for the OPEN
ing of the American League season
New York Is the banner base ball city
of the country and although the fans
are notably blase, demanding a win
ner in return for their patronage to an
extent exceeded nowhere. they also ap-
precia-e an innovation and this Is
Just what the first of a series OF four
games between the Yankees and Grill
men today will be.
For more than a week past the Gil
ants have been holding forth under the
shadow of Coogan's Bluff. winning with
such monotonous regularity that the
Gothamites are about fed up on vic
tories. Even the richest of viands be-
come tiresome when the same menu Is
served day after day. and assuming that
the Broadwayites will welcome
change in their base ball diet it is rea-
sonable to expect host of lovers OF
the sport to turn out this afternoon.
There may be no difference in the
result of the contest offered for their
delectation. in that from their recent
pace the Nationals have proved they
are unable to down even the lowly
Athletics. much less the same team
which. last week, took two out Of three
games from them in Washington. but
there will be a change even in victory
entirely different array that is to carry
the colors of the metropolis to the
forefront in case the Griffmen suffer
their third straight defeat.
In addition. it will not be the same
old Yankee array the fans soured on
last season. bat a greatly strengthened
machine with such notable base ball
characters as Derrill Pratt and Ping
Bodie appearing in a New York uni
form for the first time, with the old
favorites, Baker, Pipp and Peck, still
in evidence, and some promising
youngsters whom the Manhattan wise
heimers will have to see in action be-
fore they can tell the world fair
revamped club Col. Rupert is offering
for their approval this year Then
there is Miller Higgins, the new man
ager. to claim their attention. Hug is
appearing at the Polo Grounds regu-
larly for years as National League
player and pilot, but he will be on view
for the first time to-day directing the
play OF New York club. which will
give the fans an altogether altered
perspective of the Ohioan.
1t should not be gathered from the
foregoing dissertation on the psy-
chology OF the cabaret denizens Of this
burg that the troupe from the capital
being the case. The Nationals looked
pretty bad in their last two engage
ments with the Athletics in Washing
ton. and they know it. but without
tend neither the Monday nor Tuesday
games provided a true index to their
worth. and just to prove they are
capable of better base ball, they In
tend to make hay while the sun shines
If it does-on this short northern
trip and rehabilitate themselves in the
sraces of the capital diamond enthu-
siasts.
Bad as the Nationals appeared yes
terday and the day before, their stand
ing in the league race is on par with
that OF three other clubs in the cir
cuit-the world champion Chicago
White Sox, the st. Louis Browns and
tied for fifth place. or last, as you
choose, with a percentage Of 1888.
There Is no way for the Grifrmen to-
day to rise above all the other occu-
but victory over the Yanks will send
them up above the local. club and give
them a start in the stern chase after
the Red Sox and Indians. who have
beat the gun and gotten off In ad-
Johnson's organization.
Any one of four pitchers may be Sc
lected to essay the task of turning
back the big guns of the Yank brigade
and giving the Gritfmen an encour-
| aging start in their climb into the first
division, Harper. Yingling. Shaw and
| Ayers all being available. Grin was
| not prepared to say this morning which
Of the quartet probably would be sum-
| moned for service. Ayers. because OF
the splendid manner in which he per-
formed In banking the Mackmen last
| Friday, would seem. to be the logical
choice. but the pilot may be influenced
by the fact that Shaw always has been
more than uniformly successful against
| the New York club and take a chance
with the Pittsburgher's control. Neither
| Mogridge nor Thormablen will hurl
for Huggins for the Same reason there
| Ia no chance Of johnson nor Du Mont
| working for ,washington-too recent
| service. Caldwell and Love nave mad
| enough rest to enact a role, however
and the chances are either one OF these
win ascend the hiliock TOR New YORK ors
| Both Of these shareholders we're com
pelled to retire under fire on their first
| and only appearance aYainst the Grif-
| fthian phalanx last week. however, so
| their appearance in the center OF the
| diamond will not cause any trepidation
| in the ranks of the visitors.
Whether Morgan will be able to get
back in the game today is question
| The Baltimorean has been mighty
sick chap for the past Few days; but
| is feeling much better and says he IL
| anxious to assume his duties at sec.
oud II Grit will but say the word. II
| Is TO be hoped for the sake of team
play that the word will be forthcoming
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