Evening star., 1924-10-09


No one was more affected by the
o"fcat than the famous pitcher. He
had been SO anxious to 81 = a great
exhibition of pitching as much for the
public as for the club. He was the
Nations base ball idol. He had to live
up To his great reputation at all costs,
h felt SO Johnson attempted TO
pitch the superball ne thought the
public must have instead of pitching
JaSt the brand that had been so effec-
tive during the past summer. 1t could
not be done
Had johnson gone into the series
without bearing the banner of practi-
rally every fan of the country. he
would have had a great chance to
down the Giants Encountered by
their ardent warnings for his sue
cess, he was almost helpless. The too
sentimental regard Of base balls fol-
lowers for the grand old" man of the
game upset Johnson completely and
. has the Nationals tottering.
Il guess I cant make the grade %
said Johnson after his second series
loss. Il tried in every way | knew
70 get the ball by the Giants batters
but they got IS hits. / am sorry I
could not please my friends aud sorry
l could not help the club"
mere NIS JOilHSON again inlIhlES
of the people who had craved to see
him in base balls blue ribbon event
and letting their disappointment add
to his regret
1t is not likely Johnson will he in
the big leagues next year. Even
though the Nationals triumph today
and tomorrow. thereby becoming
world champions. the old master prob
ably will retire from the major stage
tp me dor =. eI,saS
Of a minor league club in the far
West, but now is not 50 certain he
Will attempt the venture.
Johnson is tired. He has been in
the game n long while and feels he is
due rest. II. wants nothing more
than TO be at Reno with his wife and
four children ard enjoy the expert
ence really rare for him-just living
1T home.
The long training grind in the
spring, thr great amount of train
travelling. and the boresome hotel life
during til" season would be past.
Johnson has had I years Of that and
wants no more Of il.
He Is tired and wants to go home.
That third defeat in the series left
the Nationals in no gentle mood. but
they APPARENTLY are not disheartened.
coming down from New York last
night on the special train, a number
Of the younger players Of the club
INDUCED in a long tanning bee. They
discussed pro and con about every
play OF the fifth battle of the series
No alibiS were offered for the many
mistakes made by the club, but the
general opinion seemed to be that the
Giants were not to be particularly
feared today
The Nationals still believe they are
the better lot and probably will go
about their work this afternoon IN Il
deier-H.Ucd manner. Losing certainly
was not h. bitual with them during
the American League season. Then
they revealed remarkable recupera-
tive power and there is no reason to
believe they have lost that.
Roger Prckinpaugh.. whose absence
from the lineup unbalanced the Ma
tonals' defense in the New York
games. was to resume his job at
shortstop this afternoon. Roger de-
clared last night that the charley
horSed leg that forced his retirement
after the third inning of the Mon
day tilt in Gotham is well enough to
let him get back into harness.
'Pll get in there for the sixth
game if every step / take pains me.
But 1 don't believe I'll have any
trouble" Peck remarked last night
on the train. THE leg feels fine
now and no one is more anxious to
play against the Giants than yours
truly
Pecks return would permit Bluege
to resume his regular job at third
base and give the Nationals the same
sturdy infield they had in the latter
part of the gruelling campaign for
the American League pennant.
Hank G0wdy, Giant catcher and
one of the most popular of ball play
ers, came from the Giants section of
tho special train to visit the Nationals
last night. Everybody greeted Hank
cordially and jollied him a bit.
Glad were going back to Wash
ington. The crowds there Saturday
and Sunday were fine," Hank said to
Lawrence Phillips, announcer at
Clark Griffith Stadium. DO you think
there'll be big turnout for the
Thursday game?"
Sure" Phillips replied; then added
And there'll be big one at the Fri
day game, too"
HWAlk-OVER'S ElETl