The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-10-08

Pfttsburghers Wondering If
They've Been Kidded About
Bucs' Power
Rv Louis A. BOUCHER

by LUIS A OOOUAGN
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 8.-Wash-
ington victory, 4 to 1, in the
opening game of the series against
the Pirates has stunned Pitts
burghers. Where all was joy
and joking Monday night on the
arrival of the world champions
from the Capital today is gloomy
fear, fear least their idols have
clay feet.
Instead of swapping the Ameri-
can League title holders, driving
the aged and creaking Walter
Johnson to the showers under a
bombardment of long hits, the
Pirates were as so many children
before the powerful Walter John
son and their best efforts were
stif1ed by the remarkably smooth
baseball machine headed by Bucky
Now Pittsburgers are wondering
If they have been kidded into a
belief that world championship
was about to come to them.
Joe Harris, who promises to be a
hitting star in this series. lifted the
ball out among the fans in right
field in the second inning. That
was the first hit and the first run
OF the game and brought much ap-
plause. The hometown fans seemed
to enjoy 1t, too. all thinking that
the Pirates would easily overcome
that puny lead.
All through the huge stand could
be heard buzzing as from a great
hive Of bees. The fans were telling
each other how easily the Pirates
would leap upon the poor old Griff-
men and snatch their candy away.
As the innings passed, with the
Pirates still snoring on their job,
this buzzing began dying away.
In the fifth it was snuffed out like
. light.
doe Harris led off that fifth
with an infield hit, Wright max.
ing brilliant stop, but failing to
get the runner with q toss off
balance. Bluege, who had famed
In the second frame, singled to
left, and stiffness settled over the
big crowd as the veteran, Roger
Pckinpaugh, came to the plate.
Now, watch for a perfect sacri-
Lee Meadows, who pitched a fine
game against Johnson, knew Peck's
intention and sought to prevent it,
giving him bad balls for bunting
Finally, he lifted a short fly to left
center. Wright, Barnhart, and
Carey tried to get under it without
success, and it went for a single,
filling the bases.
The huge structure was now like
O morgue. One could hear peanut
vendors shuffling up and down the
concrete aisles. Pie Traynor first
came in toward the plate and then
moved back to his position. He was
plainly nervous. So was Glenn
Wright, who moved his arms like
q windmill as though cold, though
he was playing in the sunny half
Of the infield. Muddy Ruel. known
Il. be good batsman in tight places,
stood there at the plate.
Right in that pinch the specialized
finger, Lee Meadows, rose in his
might. He struck out Washing
tons great catcher and a roar snlit
the cool air. The fans were looking
at The Pirates at their hes. anu oe-
lighted in the sight. But the great
hitting pitcher, Walter Johnson, was
up there at the plate with one out
and the bases loaded. Again silence
fell upon the throng.
Meadows worked carefully and
slowly. johnson swung like a
gate. Again he swung like gate.
A third time he swung like gate,
hitting nothing each time, and
the strike-Out brought wild
tuInuIt from the fans, many ris-
Ing TO their feet and waving their
hands. They were relieved to find
two out and still those bases
damned with gray-clad runners.
Sam Rice. who had already sin.
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