Evening star., 1921-04-14

runs. A meal ticket bigger than II
Not since there have been opening
games has one been played in which
the throng was so dense as that at
the opener between the Yankees and
the Athletics. 1t could have been
larger if the police had not put the
portculliS down at the entrances.
There were several thousands of
would-be spectators who never were
nearer the Polo Grounds than two
; blocks away, and who retreated de-
pressed and gloomy when they found
that they COULDN'T spend their money.
1t is safe to sly the Athletics are
$1,000 poorer because those folks
couldn't get through the gate. but they
are about $4,000 better off from those
who did.
Same Old SteamrOlier.
The Yankees as team are where
they left Off in 1920. They are the
same ponderous. bulky. hard-rolling
outfit. They are the tank Of the
American League. crushing everything
in their path when the engine is
working right. and turned aside by a
pebble when it isn't; The Athletics
were a lot more clipper than they
were a year ago. Perhaps it was the
presence of the huge crowd. Ball
players on tail-end teams can dance
when the spectators are jazzy. and
there are few New York crowds who
are SeQdIe.
There had been a heap of specula-
ton about the first game in New
York. Bill had told Tom. and Tom
had whispered to George. and SO it
had gone from one to the other. that
Bill and Tom and George were
shameless debauch at Chicago. Bill
and Tom and George were all present.
hiding behind posts. When the
Yankees had scored a half dozen more
runs than they needed they got out
from behind the posts and celebrated
with the remainder of the crowd.
However, the Yankees had played
very smart. Their team had not ap-
peared on the Polo Grounds since it's
return from the south and, of course.
the Ruth cult had not been able to
see their idol slap 'em out Of the
lot; They we're all clad in comforters
and expectancy, but realized only
partially on their expectations. as
Ruth failed to make a home run, al
though he batted freely.
No Line on Pitchers Yet.
1t will take at least one round Of
games to form q correct estimate as
to the possibilities Of pitchers in both
leagues. OF course, that does not ap-
ply to the known good pitchers like
Mays. Perry. Coveleskie, Nehf. Alex
ander. Adams and men of that type
show what they can do, or whether
they can do anything. the better bat
ting clubs will run in front.
II Cleveland has hard time of it
early. because of its crippled team,
the New York Americans are apt to
force their way to a commanding
lead. which will make the race a Jug
handled affair before the Fourth Of
July. That will be due to the vicious
ness Of their batting. which has be-
gun at once. II there is nothing in
the National League which can hit
better than the Giants can run bases
the other New York club may race
away because of it's sprinting ability,
for the speed Of the McGrawites will
make up 10 per cent Of what they may
lack as players.
= The big surprise in the National
was the defeat Of Pittsburgh by Gin:
'cinnati. Neither of the teams had
been put to real test. but it was a
popular belief that Pittsburgh would
take toll early from the Reds. It's a
fact that Cincinnati has been a pitfall
for Pittsburgh in more than one race
for National League honors In 1919
and 1920 Cincinnati fattened of Pitts
burgh and it seems to have the Pi-
should beat the Pirates out of the
championship in 1921. Garry Herr
mann would grin the grin of his life,
because it was in Pittsburgh that the
plot was laid for the downfall of the
old national commission.
"Theyn started Ruth with Ave hits
in five times at bat and they" were
generous One Of the hits was a pop
out mum II ever there was one
Why all this late fuss about the people
forgiving base ball because they have
been going to see the games this
spring. That "the people" took base
ball as they found it was indica ted
most emphatically last fall at the
world series. II there had been a
general disposition to believe that
base ball WAS permeated with dis
honesty there would have been a
shrinkage in attendance at the world
series games. and there wasn't There
has been a lot of after thunder about
the so-called restoration Of base ball
CoDnie Mack's Joe Dugan at third
base. were he a hitter. would cause
the Dugan family to be sung by the
poets. Maybe they deserve it, any
how.
Little Willie has discovered why the
Athletics are SO consistently last.