Evening star., 1947-04-14
By Francis {. Stann

Undaunted by leaden, dripping
skies that forced cancellation of
batting practice by both. teams,
thousands of Washington base
ball fans poured into Griffith
Stadium today in hopes that
rain would not postpone the
first major league game of 1947
between the Nationals and New
York Yankees.
Two hours before game time the
bleacher section, which seats $500
spectators, was two-thirds filled by
fans holding umbrellas and huddled
IN topcoats and raincoats, all con-
fdent, as was President Clark
Griffith. that the drizzle would halt
and baseball's greatest show would
go on.
Despite the somber day the ball
park glistened in its new coat Of
paint, fresh signs and bunting. Long
before the scheduled arrival Of
President Truman and his party.
press and movie cameramen were
Jockeying for best positions in front
OF the Chief Executives box, digna-
taries galore were expected to at
tend despite the weather. The
Senate recessed for. the occasion.
Tarpaulin Over Infield.
A giant tarpaulin which covered
the infield was left on the ground,
depriving early-comers of the pre-
game batting drills. While the Mats
were holding closed meeting, the
Yankees came on the field at lis
o'clock, haddled in their dugout for
a few minutes, and walked back to
the warmth Of their dressing room.
Not bail was thrown.
q II today's game was postponed the
Washington opener will be held FRI
day afternoon against the Yankees.
The Mats will leave tonight for Bos-
ton to help the Red Sox raise their
curtain tomorrow
Floyd Bevens, while a 16 game
winner in 1946, was surprise pitch
ing nominee for the Yanks, but
there had been little doubt about
the appointment Of Bobo Newsom
by Nat Manager Ossie Bluege. The
big South Carolinian has been clam
oring for the assignment for weeks
and he recommends himself because
of an opening game he pitched II
years against the Yankees.
Bob0 Revived and Won.
Newsom was the principal char
acter in one of the most dramatic
curtain-raisers in history when he
shut out New York, in 1886, with
four hits after having been painfully
injured by hard throw by Bluege.
then playing third base. The ball
struck Newsome behind the right
ear and all but knocked him uncon-
scious, but Bobo was revived to re-
turn and win before the late Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
Mr.. Truman observed an old Gus
tom by lunching with Senate cro-
nies and other friends before head,
ing for the stadium.
Federal Trade Commissioner Lo-
well Mason was host.
During the luncheon the President
joined in the fun as Senator White,
Republican, of Maine, was presented
a clay oscar" for guessing nearest
to the score of last years initial con-
test between Boston and Washing
ton. The figure, caricature OF
ballplayer, was modelled by students
Of the Corcoran School of Art. At
torney General Clark, the previous
winner, made the presentation.
In accepting Owner Clark Grif-
fith's invitation to throw out the
first ball, President Truman was
perpetuating a custom which began
in 1910, when William Howard
Taft Qnleased a pregame pitch and
settled back to watch the late Wal
ter johnson hurl a one-hit shutout
over the Athletics to win, 3 to 0.
In SO opening games here since
there have been 13 shutouts, john
son winning six and Alvin Crowder
and NewSom one each for WASH
ington.
Mr.. Truman so far has not been
a lucky President" for the Mats,
who were vanquished year ago
by the Boston Red Sox in game in
which Ted Williams hit a 440-foot
home run. Luckiest of all Chief
Executives was Woodrow Wilson.
who tossed three opening pitches
and saw Washington win each time.
President Roosevelt. who threw the
(See BASEBALL, Page A-2.)
Fl L. nI ~ At