The Washington herald., 1919-04-23
JOHNSON WILL
!: FACE PERRY IN
OPENING GAME
Gnfmen Ready for Base
ball Inaugural Against
Athletics.
By JOHN A. DUGAN.


Thousands of washingtonians who
u,a ave been on edge for some time to
set q glimpse Of the fresh suited
line which will represent the Nas
tional Capital on the diamond this
eason viii line up early this after
room at the gateway Of the Florida
Avenue stadium They will hear
he crisp crack OF the bat. the blare
II the band and the usual song Of
the score-card and cracker-jack
,venders, and they will be happy.
Properly the ceremonies of the
opening Of the 1919 baseball season
IN this city will be tinged with
"A spirit OF patriotism as the
victory loan drivers VIII have a few
remarks to say to the gathering be-
fore the contest. while heroes from
the Walter Reed and Naval hospi-
tails will be guests of the local club.
Clark Grifith's talented baseball
athletes will be opposed by Connie
Aack's Philadelphia Athletics in this
Inaugural battle. Walter Johnson,
premier hurler of major league base
bail. will carry the brunt Of the bur
.deu in this performance. as the
.'smoke-ball king" Is scheduled for the
twirIing honors for the Nationals. Op-
posed to the Kansas Cyclone VIII De
Scott Perry. the star Of the Slumber-
land tribes box artists. Sammy Ag-
new. who has seen service in num-
Der of worlds series contests. will be
~ 49,
4 Ains will receive the delivery of Perry.
Gen. Peyton C. March. Chief of Staff
of the United States army. will pinch
hit for President Woodrow Wilson in
throwing out the first ball which will
send the two teams into action
The grounds at the Florida avenue
stadium are in the best of condition,
due to the efforts of Jim ODay, the
veteran groundkeeper Of the local club.
All Jumps and pebbles were smoothed
out yesterday when a steam roller was
used to put the finishing touches on
the grounds.
The game will be called at $50
o'clock, the gates will be opened at
$50 o'clock. with a band rendering
selections during the watchful walt
tnS period. Brick Owen, rated as the
best on Ban B. Johnson's staff Of
umpires. has drawn the assignment
along with Hildebrand to work this
contest.
ON the eve OF entering what looks
10 be the greatest race the American
League has ever staged, the Old Fox
-steadied himself down to these few
remarks: Il am perfectly satisfied
4 hat my squad is in as good shape
- any team that l ever started in
he major league pennant race. 1 am
rot predicting any great expectations
rom the club: IL / would say we were
oennant winners the fans along with
you might give me the laugh. but with
our pitching staff. which is as good
as any in either league. l do believe
that we will be consistent contenders.
should Robertson be added to my
outfit and little Davis, along with
Janvrin. comes up to the margin. l
can hope for a club that will be the
best l have ever given the Capital
fans. Davis gives every promise Of
coming through, and with half of the
breaks that must go with winning
club 1 can honestly say that 1 expect
TO keep the Nationals a prominent
factor in the race, and only next Oc-
tober can tell the tale of the predic-
llOlS VI lhe many inns VIM tOuAJ
are Understanding the Nationals"
From Philadelphia last night
comes word that Connie Mack. man
ageT OF the Athletics. expects to
give the Nationals quite a battle in
The series. The Sphinx pilot of the
Quaker City outfit had the following
to say: My last words before
starting this season is that 1 have
the utmost confidence in my men.
There is a spirit manifest among
the men that is bound to make sue
cess. Every man is working to CO.
operate for the welfare of the team
and il We get the kind of pitching
/ hope we will be in the race
throughout. At least I expect an
even break or better in the opening
series"