The Washington times., 1920-05-13

rendered to the lively, peppery "Tr'
IL used to be considered high
treason in New York to oner any
adverse criticism against "Big sih'
In those days he was still the peer
less performer on the mound. though
admittedly aging and los Ing much OF
his skill. But bark to what Davis j.
Walsh pens in the Evening Post now
regarding this same "Big SIX
Tho supplanting of Matty by Evors.
however, appears like a good move.
The formers work on the coaching
lines has been uniformally bad ana
many games have been lost by his
poor handling OF base runners. The
tip of on the situation became forci-
bly, apparent during the Giant Dodger
eleven-inning game last week, when
Natty signalled McGraw to switch po-
sitions as soon as Kelly reached third
"A tacit admission that he distrusted
his ability to cope with what situa-
tion might arise"
Matty Hated LimeliEht.
The Reds met UP with the Griffmen
in the spring of 1917. playing sew
eral exhibition games in the South.
We had plenty OF chances OF watching
the Cincinnati manager q little OF
his guard. He simply hated the lime
light He would pose at the clerks
desk or strut nobly around the hotel
lobby, hoping that no moro than a
thousand folks would ask who he
might be. 1t was this way in Mem
phis, in Louisville and in Cincinnati.
During his last days as q pitcher
with the Giants, Matty used to make
q sort Of grand arrivaP' at the WAL
dorf while the National League was
xnin
We have witnessed many of them.
Matty, we'll admit, was an imposing
figure, shouldering his way through
Peacock Alley. He would sport
Douglas Fairbanks grin, shake back
his furlined overcoat, remove his
heavy gloves and then prepare to ac-
cept the applause. Needless to say,
there was plenty. Wasn't he the
great Christy Mathewson? He'd say
he was.
The career of Christy Mathewson
since his pitching days ended has
been one continuous failure. Now 1t
10 known that he possessed only that
front. Here he is, giving way to
Johnny Evers. perhaps the most hated
athlete visiting New York in the
memory Of sport followers. But
Evers is a fighter. Evers has base
ball brains. Evers may do what
Matty could not do, inspire the lag
ging Giants with the spirit Of victory.
May Not Need a Uniform.
It may be a fact that Matty has
lifetime Job with the New York clup
under the terms of John T. Brush
will, but that does not necessarily
mean that the Job will require MS
strutting about in uniform. There are
Jobs and jobs. Matty's days In uni
form seemed numbered.
Evers, too, has registered one fall
ure A. a major league manager. That
was in Chicago. But as a fighting
ball player, field captain and gen.
eral umpire-baiter, Evers was more
responsible for the success OF the
Boston Braves in 1914 than any other
one man.
1t may be that Evers lacks the men
tai poise for successful management
Of a major league club, but NOBODY
will charge him with lacking the
nervous energy that inspires ball
players. And that's why Johnny
McGraw has signed him. McGraw is
aging rapidly. No longer do the fires
blake within him. He is passing on
to Evers this arduous task OF whip
ping the dispirited Giants Into fght-
ing organisation. Nobody who knows
anything about Evers will say Nc
Graw has made a poor choice.
Planning Many Boxes.
President Manager Clark c. Grif-
nth will have a string OF new boxes
erected In time for next Sundays
game with the st. Louis Brown. Pfac>
ing boxes in front Of the stand from
left feld around to right field, with
breaks for the players dugouts and
the screen section of the stand. some
1900 fans will be accommodated with
comfortable seats. Hitherto they have
been squatting on planks laid on the
grass. ,,.......,..
The Detroit Tigers have brought
the frst /unseemly weather to the
Capital since the campaign opened.
There was no chance to stage yes
tsrday's game. though II was not
raining at game time. But the play
ing field was not in the best OF shape
with. and with nobady lighting to get
into the ball yard. the battle was post
poned.
Last nights heavy downpour has
not aided the diamond any. but p. M.
Griffith declined to call OFF hostilties
.,otn tho In