Evening star., 1924-10-05
BY the Associated Press

Washington Senators in the opening
game of the 1924 world series after
one of the most thrilling, dramatic
battles base ball has ever known
The Giants won by the narrow
margin of 4 to 3 i'm 12 bitterly con-
tested innings and conquered Wash
ington's heroic moundsman, Walter
Johnson, but the Senator's though
beaten in the first bid they have ever
made for the games greatest crown,
covered themselves with glory in
hghting finish that drote u crowd of
$4,000 into hysterical frenzy.
Coming from behind when it seem
ed that two smashing home runs by
George Kelly and Bill Terry had
clinched the game for the National
League champions, Washington tied
the score in the ninth with spec
tacular rally, and then, in the
twelfth, after the giants had gained
another commanding lead, scored
their third run off Art Nehf, Giant
southpaw. and Threatened once more
to deadlock the game in Il final, des-
perate squirt.
Given Great Ovation.
The Giants triumphed by the sheer
relentless power of an attack that
johnson and the Senators, despite
their most heroic efforts, could not
check. But the American League
champions, though they emerged de-
feated in this gripping three-hour
struggle for supremacy, left the field
amid one of the most remarkable
demonstrations any team, victor or
VanquiShed, ever received
The first citizen of the nation.
President Coolidge. chief among a
host of notables forming the brilliant
gathering, threw restraint aside at
the end of that pulse -quic k ening x
twelfth inning as he waved his hat
and joined in the mighty tribute to
the Senators. who had fought their
fight courageously and come within
an ace of turning the tide that
throughout the game had seemed ir-
resistibly against them
President Near Senators.
Near the Washington dugout sat
President and Mrs. Coolidge. Breath
ing in the same tense atmosphere as
the bleacher fans, they joined them
in their cheers. From box in the
upper tier Secretary Mellon watched
the game. Back of home plate sat
kenesaw Mountain Lands. high
commissioner of base ball. who
chin on his hands which clasped the
top of a walking stick.
Scattered through the boxes. grand
stand. and even the uncovered
bleachers skirting the outfield We're
other notables-Senators, Representa-
tiveS, diplomats and others. But the
bulk of the crowd was made up of
Just ordinary fans, some of whom had
kept an all-night vigil to gain ad-
mittanCe to the grounds.
Quick to cheer the Washington
team as it fought doggedly on from
behind. the hometown rooters showed
all the way through that they be-
lieved that their team" would win
out in the end.
silent at Giants Gains.
Scarcely a ripple of applause came
from the stands as the fans saw two
home runs chalked up by the Giants
in silence the Giants scored all
their runs. Even in the twelfth in
ming, when the New Workers shot two
more talles around the bases, silence
prevailed.
In the ninth inning, when it looked
as if the Giants would win out with
the bare margin of one run, the crowd
remained in it's seats, scarcely per-
son moving toward the gates-the
crowd that had turned out to cheer
Johnson remained SteadfaSt to the
end
After the New Workers had gained
tWo-run margin in the twelfth
Washington rooters remained un-
moved, seemingly still confident that
the Senators would come through.
1t was stunning blow for Wash
ington's high hopes; a defeat for
Johnson that had it's tragedy after
he reached, but could not cross. the
threshold of his 1S-year- ambi-
tion-a world series victory; but it
left "Bucky" Harris, 27-year-old
pilot. and his men undiscouraged
undismayed and confident that they
have suffered only a temporary set
back in a fight that will lead to ulti-
mate triumph.
johnson HOnored in Defeat.
Johnson. the idol of all fandom. the
handspring of Washington's hopes,
merged hero even in defeat. For
while the gallant veteran was hit
hard and paved the way for his own
downfall in the twelfth inning when
he faltered, he gave a brilliant eXhi-
bition. Flashing all the amazing
speed that has made him famous,
Johnson struck out IL of the Giants
and in nine of the ~ innings baffied
them with the craft and smoke" of
his delivery. But two mighty home
came with the suddenness of light
ming, and a savage drive in the
twelfth inning brought about the
veterans undoing.
For eight innings Johnson matched
his wonderful speed, his puzzling
change of pace, with the southpaw
skill of Nehf. The Giant star, despite
sporadic streaks of WildneSS, had the
better of a duel that was closely
l.,
the ninth, and the Senator'S breaking
through the defense that had held
them at bay, tied the score and threw
the game into a. wild, extra inning
tuSsle.
Judge had started the ninth in
auspiciously by striking out, when
Bluege, young third baseman, brought
the crowd to it's feet with a single
that Jackson got his glove on but
could not handle. Peckinpaugh, vet
eran shortstop, followed with a line
smash to left center, and Bluege
scurried over the plate with the ty-
ing run amid a wild outburSt that
halted the game for several minutes
until the outtield could be cleared of
a cushioG shower.
SenatorS' Rally Checked.
Peckinpaugh rested on second, with
prospect of scoring the winning
run, and when he advanced to third
on Ruers out the crowd called for
Johnson, as he strode to the plate, to
win his own game. 1t was the sec
ond opportunity for heroic batting
achievement that had been opened to
the great pitcher, but, though he tried
hard, he could not break through.
This time he raised a short fly that
Kelly grabbed in short centerfield
Two innings previously, with men on
first and second and two out, Johnson
smashed drive that seemed headed
for safety in right-center, but Frank