Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17

at hand to tess an officially stamped
American League base ball to Manager
johnson, many dignitaries of the Gov
eminent. civil and military, were to be
present to root for their favorite club.
bands were to blare and the Secretary
raising in center field shortly before the
two outfits heralded as prominent con-
tenders for the circuit championship
battle.
Openers Thrill Johnson, Mack.
These ceremonials will be nothing
new to Walter Johnson. During his 81
seasons of service as pitcher with the
Washington club the new manager saw
many campaigns started here with the
Nations Chief Executive participating
in the start. Nor will the formal OPEN
ing here be new to Connie Mack. Since
the American League first achieved the
dignity of a major circuit In 1901 the
venerable Philadelphia manager has
had his club in Washington for many
season opening engagements.
Yet both johnson and Mack long
have anticipated the thrill that will
attend the inaugural in the Capital.
1t always has been the games most
colorful campaign start. To johnson
the start here will bring memories
Of other years when he was the central
figure of the show, once the clubs swing
into action Year after year the big
fellow as the greatest pitcher of his
time was the choice of the Washington
management to hurl in the first tilt
Of the year. To Mack the impressive
beginning of the campaign in the Cap
itais brings realization of the great adj
vance base ball has made since he first
piloted the. Athletics of Philadelphia.
ct have been in the game as a
player and official nearly half century
and have seen it grow from rough
and-tumble affair to well organized
and wholesome institution" said the
Philadelphia manager today. "As now
presented, base ball is beneficial to
sional: to the millions who attend the
games annually AMI glowing tribute
to It's pioneers who had faith in it and
struggled to raise it to its present high
plane. Those Of us who have been
associated with 1t so long are proud
IF the great national pastime we have
helped to build.
Looks for Good Year.
'T have seen many changes in the
game" the boss Of the Athletics con-
tinued. you know, am in my sixty
seventh year. My next birthday will be
December %. And think every change
has been for the better. Since the
American League arose to major promi-
nenee the game has grown by leaps and
bounds, and I expect it to continue its
advance. This year / believe will be an
exceptionally good one for base ball.
understand, am talking only about
the American League when speak of
this year. That's the one J know. If
there's to be any runaway by club,
probably it will be the Yankees doing
the running away from the others. But
am not at all certain that the New
York club will dominate the race as 1t
did throughout most of last year. The
others, all along the line, have strength
ened. and are better. prepared to give
the Yankees sound argument.
I'm not picking any aprticular club
TO make most of the trouble for the
Yankees, understand. I'm not even
naming my own club that gave the New
Workers such splendid fight last year
Rut right now there are three or four
clubs in the league that I think should
battle to the finish with New York. It
looks great year to me-"
Mack has been in the American
League long enough to know when to
look for great year. He assumed the
management of the Athletics in 1901
and has been at the helm ever since.
No other man in the major game has
seen such long service as pilot with
one club. John McGraw is the only
leader pressing Mack for this honor.
He has been manager Of the Giants
since 1902.
Fine Record with AS.
Mack has led the Athletics to six
American League flags and three world
championships. His, league winning
years were 1902. 1905. 1910, 1911, 1918
and 1914. His club captured world
series. In 1910, 1917 and 1913, Six
times the. Athletics have finished second,
twice they ended in third place and
twice in fourth. The lean years for
Mack. began. in 1915 and extended
through 1924. Seven times in row
the Athletics finished last in the league,
then rose q step each year and wound
up In fifth position in 1924.
Since then Comics team has been
very much in the race and again 1t
promises to be big factor In the strug-
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