The Washington times., 1924-04-14

movement closely watched by the
Col. William Smith will give his
famous Black Brigade its final drill
today. Under officers have been APP
pointed, each adorned with a huge
badge, fourteen inches in diameter.
These officers will be seen wearing
red caps Of appropriate design, the
invention Of Col. William Smith him.
self. White coats will mark the
rank and file, prizes going to those
keeping them clean the longest.
This, also, is an invention Of Col.
William Smith himself.
I'VE are ready for the season to
Begin" was the official communique
from Col. William Smith today, as
he toyed with his stiff, attached
cuffs.
So are the fans. Every reserved
seat in the park was sold long, long
ago. The unreserved seats will be
quickly gobbled up when the gates
open tomorrow, and it is a guarall-
teed cinch that the largest crowd
ever viewing an opening game In
the Capital will be on hand tomor-
row when President Coolidge losses
out the first ball.
Bryan Harris, always poison to
the GriffS, and Eddie ROlnmel, the
Ixnucl1le.ban finger, are expected
to warm up, with one starting the
contest and the other held I'm re.
serve. Walter johnson and George
MOgridge will prepare to do some
flinging for the home boys.
The Mackmen usually open the
campaign with the Griffs, but there
is more than ordinary interest in
Comics entry this season, because
Connie himself, a taeiturn gent, Is
ION record as picking the Mackmen
to finish at least in second place
this year and probably the pennant
in 1925. Naturally the fans will
want to take a look at such a re-
markable gang.
Joe Hauser, q high-class first
sacker, is again on the job, but
beside him at second base is q new
conner to the league, Max Bishop
for several years Baltimore's star
second baseman. Bishop has ouSted
Jimmy Dykes from his berth and
will hold it until he fails to main
tain the pace he has, set this
spring.
Chick Galloway, a sizzling fielder
and dangerous hitter in tight places,
is playing short again and at third
will be found the brittle Mr.. Samuel
Hale. If Hale can keep from being
hurt he should aid in giving Con.
ME his best infield quarter since
it was composed of McInnis, Collins,
Barry and Frank Baker.
Two new gents are in the Phila-
delphia outfield, Strand and SIM
mons, with the redoubtable Bling
Miller completing the trio. Strand
has beeh the clouting demon Of the
Pacific Coast League for the past
years, while Simmons has flashed 10
the front with Milwaukee in a
single campaign. Both have been
playing good ball this spring for
the Athletics.
Already followers of the Mack
men predict Simmons will be Babe
Ruth's successor as the .AIneTi-
can Leagues hOme-run slugger.
This twenty one year old lad
smashed the ball for 1850 at ShreVe-
port and then, going to MIL
Waukee, hung UP a mark Of 1893
before he was grabbed by Connie.
The Mackmen were the league's
sensation for three months last
year. Then the bottom fell out of
their grand rush to the top. Skilled
players were injured, notably Sammy
Hale and Joe Hauser, and the
youngsters on the team cracked
under the strain. From then to the
end of the campaign the team just
struggled along, lacking a con-
sistent attack. ALI that Is supposed
to have been remedied this year.
Many baseball judges are picking
the AS for first division honors in
1924. A few pick them for third
place, many more for fourth. Con
ME Mack says they will finish Sec
ond to the Yankees this year, and
ahead of them in 1925.
A possible weak place in the AS
is In the box. Harris, Rommel,
Hasty, Naylor and Heimach are
with the team again. All have
failed to show consistency in the
past, In addition there are Wal.
berg, the big southpaw; Ogden, Den
mis- Burns and Roy Meeker, d new.
conner.
If Connie can get five of this
bunch to perform up to required
standards, then, indeed, will the
Mackmen be dangerous, for they
appear to have the batting punch.
Connie says he'll get the five needed
end land in second place next Oc.
tober,
So That's That,