Joe pitched occasionally, and, when he did there was a little improvement, at times. But of course he was not a veteran, and once or twice he was wild.
Then the paper which bore the least friendliness to the Cardinals took a different tack. It laughed at the manager for sending in a young pitcher when a veteran was needed.
"Say, I'd like to know just what those fellows want me to do!" Mr. Watson exclaimed one day, after a particularly severe roast. "I can't seem to please 'em, no matter what I do."
"Don't let 'em get your goat," advised his coach. "Go on. Keep going. We'll strike a winning streak yet, and mark my words, it will be Joe Matson who'll pull us out of a hole."
"He hasn't done so well yet," objected Mr. Watson, dubiously.
"No, and it's because he hasn't exactly found himself. He is a bit nervous yet. Give him time."
"And stay in the cellar?"
"Well, but what are you going to do?" reasoned the other. "Cooney and Barter aren't pitching such wonderful ball."
"No, that's true, but they can generally pull up in a tight place. I'd send Matson in oftener than I do, only I'm afraid he'll blow up when the crises comes. He is a good pitcher, I admit that, but he isn't seasoned yet. The Central League and the National are a wide distance apart."
"That's true. But I'd like to see him have his chance."