Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-04-19

IL in their own backyard 10
1 \ something approximating a
draw, the Nationals will do
their fighting on an enemy'S field
for the first time this season.
Tomorrow. the Griffith Guards
will invade Shibe Park, the Phila-
delphia home of the Athletics.
Therell be a deal of bowling and
scraping as they assist the AS in
the formalideS foisting the Ameri-
can League campaign upon the
Quaker City citizenry. But in the
three games to follow the fuss and
furore attending the meeting OF
those famous two strange bulldogs
will be nothing compared to the
rancor and rage marking the
clashing of the base ball clubs.
For years now the Nationals have
been regarded as the most despicable
aggregation in the American League by
the Quaker City citizenry, the most de-
testable outfit daring to present itself
in the Shibe brothers ball yard. The
hatred was born back in the pennant-
winning days of '26, when the rabid
Philadelphia fans accused the Nationals
Of striding to the flag over the DELHI
erately crippled bodies Of the desper-
ately battling AS.
It was given q more bitter tinge in
the years that followed. when the
home henchmen alleged unfair tactics
were employed by National pitchers in
pitching to Athletic batsmen. The Qua
ker City citizenry always contended
Griffith's hirelings were heaving base
balls at the heads of Mack mercenaries
with mean intentions.
THERE always was a great chance
i that the city's finest would have
to be called upon to cheek riot
whenever Nationals and AS started a
base ball frolic in Shibe Park. Last
season, when both clubs were quickly
left trailing by the Yankees. feeling was
not so high. But even then the en-
gagements on the Philadelphia lots
were no pleasant pastlmeS.
This time some of the old fury may
flare. Nettled no little by their rather
mediocre showing here, the Nationals
will he out to redeem themselves at the
expense of the AS. The Cronln crew
realizes the necessity of getting at the
heels Of the fast-fying Yankees in short
order. BY mauling the Macks. the boy
manager and his bunch would be In
great position to carry the fight right
to the world champions here next week,
so they'll be strainlng In Phllaoelpnla;
Naturally, the AS can't be expected
to flop and play dead the next three
days. They have pretty high opinions
of themselves and figure on getting
places. Therell be desperate deeds in
Shibe Park. Fighting will be at top
speed from the start, with no quarter
to be asked or given.
MANAGER CRONIN plans to open
IVl fire against the Athletics tomor-
row with Monte Weaver. the
rangy Highlander from the hills OF
North Carolina Of gentle upbringing
ball field has somewhat the air Of a
pacifist. The AS again may find this
mien of meekness deceiving, however,
as they did last year. Then the pol
ished professor of mathematics so ap-
piled his knowledge of curves to the
leather covered sphere that he ran up
a record of five victories against one
defeat for his battling with the Mack
ninions.
After Weaver. probably Al Crowder
and Earl Whitehill will be starting
choices for the Friday and Saturday
games. Neither was particularly bril-
liant against the AS last year. Crow
der beat them twice and they beat him
four times. Whitehill then wearing
Tiger toys beat them twice and lost
to them once. But then it was diff
ferent Philadelphia team. one with
Simmons and Haas and Dykes
Given good pitching. though, the
Nationals will need better hitting than
they have produced. and smart field
ing, too, to get by in Philadelphia. And
getting by" Manager Cronin figures,
will mean scoring at least two vic
tories. Anything less would make the
Nationals regard the series total loss.