The Washington times., 1937-06-01
Athletics Popular
With Local
Ball Fans
By FRANK BUCK" o'NEILL

BY FRANK BUCK" O'NE1LL
The sight Of a capacity crowd
packing Griffith Stadium to the
far limits of the bleachers-there
were perhaps 1000 sunkist seats
vacant-called to mind the gen.
eral laments that followed the
publication of the American
League schedule last winter. II
was pointed out that by Memorial
Day the Griffs would be Scrapping
it out with the Yankees, fang and
claw. The Macks would be giving
HornSby a raSSle for last place.
But something happened. The
Macks went out and took the track
for themselves, and held it for q
while. The, country went crazy
over Connie Mack. He received as
much mail from well wishers as
movie stars receive from their
public. He is still popular, despite
the fact that the AS lost their
ninth straight game yesterday.
The Griffs slipped and slid,
skidded and went into reverse.
They were not the toast Of the
country. But in the battle for
sixth place yesterday, the stadium
was damned. The aisles were
packed with citizens in violation
of the fire laws. They stood on
the runways. They suffered all
the diScomfortures Of the true
baseball fan with the fortitude Of
the baseball fan.
The Macks return to Griffith
Stadium on independence Day
and doubtless they will fill the
stadium once more.
Regardless of where the Ath-
letics finish this year, the season
will be a financial success. In two
series with the New York Yankees.
one at home, and one in Yankee
Stadium, the Athletics drew more
than 10000 paid patrons. They
got off winning here on open
ing day, and have been q sweet at.
traction up to date.
So. no matter what happens to-
day, or tomorrow, the figures will
be written in blue ink at the end
of the season, and that is very
good news to one and all who
wish Connie Mack the good for
tune he deserves. The public hopes
that Connie will live to lead an
other pennant winner over the
line.
When you're talking about great
plays, please to remember the
one on which Skeeter Newsome
threw out Chapman yesterday in
the second game. The ball bounced
off Nelson's hands and NewSome
recovered it. Very nifty!
The Griffs leave for Detroit this
afternoon on their second tour Of
the West.
Carl Fischer made johnson look
very bad with a dipsy-dew curve
ball by way of Meridian, Miss, not
Connecticut. A fast curve for .
third strike settled the hash OF
Johnson.
With the count three and one on
AL simmons in the first frame OF
the opener, the GriffS put on the
hitand-run play. BrVcker snapped
the ball back to Caster, but Lewis
on third, stood still. Stone stole
second and scored on a triple by
Kuhel.
Finney was sent to Atlantic City
to recover from the after effects
of the Mexican flu. Volta HE!
Volta life.
It took the Griffs a long time to
catch up with George Jasper
Caster, but they made him suffer
when they caught him.
johnson barely touched Kuhels
smash in the prolific first Of the
opener. The ball broke through
his glove.
Rocky Stone made a running
catch in deep right center on
Chubby Dean. He made a catch
on CiSsell in the first inning. 81,
Funny guy. that Stone. He IS a
silent sort, and you'd think he
played just for the check. But
the will to win is strong within
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