Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-05-02

Picked almost unanimously as first
division material in the preseason
books. their feat of bowling over OPP
position in the east with such con-
sistency as to twice supplant Cleve-
land as the bell wether of the Amer
lean League flock has caused the
critics to slightly revise their dope
and ELECTED conjectures as to hotel
accommodations in Washington dur
ing October.
Food for Reflection.
While pennants are not won in the
spring and no well-balanced person
will draw definite conclusions re-
garding a six-month campaign from
what is accomplished by one club in
lses than three weeks from the start
and with more than half of the con-
tenders still to be. played for the
first time, the showing of the Griff-
men to date has given Thoughtful fol-
lowers of the pastime serious food
for reflection.
The impression the Nationals have
created is fairly we'll reflected in the
following observations by Fred Lieb.
well informed writer OF conserva-
tive tendencies. Commenting on the
eplurge made by the Grifmen. this
able Gotham scribe says. in part:
washington looms up as the most
dangerous club of the east just at
present. 1t will be a strong factor.
The team has unquestionable bat
ting strength. The Grinmen outhit
the Yankees last season despite the
fact that they finished sixth, Their
pitching still is uncertain, but if
johnson is in any kind of shape a
hitting club like the Senators should
win many games behind him.
IF the race again SINNERS down to
the Yankees and Indians. New York is
fairly certain of getting more help
OF ~
In 1920 Cleveland beat the Nationals
on the years games, fifteen to seven.
and the White Sox turned the trick
seventeen to Ave"
Indians Prove Strength.
The great strength of the Cleveland
team is strikingly illustrated by the
fact that although it has been sub
oected to an unusually severe streak
Of tough luck. it is at the top of the
leap.
Speakers hospital list has increased
steadily since the start of the cam
raign. Yet he continues to win, not
withstanding that the pitching has
in the tremendous attacking power of
the club. the latest averages showing
e team average Of .349. while 1t has
scored exactly thirty-nine more runs
than the Nationals. who rank second
in this respect
Bill wambsganss, Of triple play re-
nown. was the first to go on the shelf.
due to a broken arm. Then Lunte.
first string utility infielder. was laid
up with badly sprained ankle, and
row Elmer Smith, the marathon
rrauler, is out with a sprained side.
But Speaker has the reserves. He
Rugged the hole caused by the death
of Chapman last season with young
Sewell., has filed the gap at second
with Riggs Stephenson. another collie
aian. who promises to prove even
more of a sensation than his fellow
student from the University of Ala
hama. and has an outfelding substi-
tute Of class in Joe Wood.
Fortunately for the Indians. Steve
O'EeiI. Larry Gardner and Spoke
himself have been spared. If any o.
this trio should crumble the Tribe
would fold up like an accordion.
Baker May Arouse Yanks.
Announcement by Miller Higgins
that Frank Baker will be reinstated
in the lineup may be expected to
have the effect of a tonic on the
Yankees, who thus far have proved
bitter disappointment to New York
fans. With J. Franklin at third and
ia-on Ward on second, the Yanks
will be a much more form ida BILE ma
chine than with Wilson Fewster at
The keystone station. While the lat
ter has the sympathy of all follow
ers of the sport for the game fight
he has made for regular job. fol-