The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-27
THE CLUB COMES HOME.
Mcpcrmort and HIS Baii Players Re
turned at Miduisht-Meu Are Stiffcned
by Rains and Severe Cold Weather,

Manager McDermott and his fourteen
base hall players reached here on last
nights 1o15 train from New York
city following their up-East trip. which
was chiefly distinguished for cold
weather, snow storms and stiffened
players. Pitcher Cronin and ShortstoD
Sweeney were not brought back. They
with Pitchers Gets and Mullarkey and
Shortstop Heller make five. who have
been tried. found wanting and released
Excepting Tommy Johnson pitcher,
and Third Baseman Mcguire. all the
men return in splendid physical condi-
tion, which, however, does not include
IL general complaint Of sore arms. Dur
ing the first few days Of the jaunt the
weather was warm, but then came
spell of rain followed by severe cold
and the result on overtaXed muscles
may be left to ones imagination.
Tommy johnson has for two days been
afflicted with severe cold on his lungs.
which will probably disappear with a
few days rest and treatment. Ma
guirc has one slightly sprained and an
other weakened ankle. His injury is
trivial. however. and there Is no doubt
that he will be all right by Friday.
when the club opens the season at
Springfield.
OF the pitchers. Brown and Stemmell
are In first-class shape. Herr is not
lame. but the cold has made it i'm
possible for him to timber up. and
Horner is in much the same condition.
WHAT M'DERMOTT SAYS.
Manager McDermott. while talking
with Il Tribune reporter about the trip
did not show any of the anxiety or un-
happiness. on the contrary he seemed
happy and satisfied with his players.
He said:
mo. we didn't win our games. You
wouldn't expect us to, would you. with
not over three players In position,
pitchers and catchers excepted, in any
one game since we left home? From
start to finish we hit better than the
other clubs and lost our games through
errors by men out of regular position.
Meaney, Chiles, Ward, Hess and Ea-
gan are five of the surest, prettiest hit
ters you ever saw. Chiles Is a peach;
he can hit anything at any time and
under any conditions. The others are
good too. If winning games depended
on the stick alone, there would be no
cause for uncertainty.
"Our outfield couldn't be better
without Chiles we have In Meaney
Flack, Eagan and Bradley four men
SO good that it's hard to make a selec-
tion. But Chiles will be kept and util-
lied somewhere on account of his great
stick work. ! may place him in the
outfield.
I'VE are all right on pitchers. Brown
and Stemmell are now almost perfectly
fit. Johnson's arm Is as right as can be
and he will be in the game as soon as
he is cured Of his cold. Herr and
Horner, as soon as we get some warm
weather to timber them up, will be
surprises. Rafferty, is the prettiest
little backstop you ever saw.
WARD AND MAGUIRE.
"Ward and Mcguire for second and
third are as good as I want, Don't
worry about a shortstop, either; I'll
have one before Thursday and he will
be good one. too. First base Is the
only position that causes me any un-
easiness. am determined to land Tom
Power If / can locate him. 1t all de-
pends on that. 1t looks as though he
must submit his terms before the sea-
son opens. If he dent he is liable to
severe punishment by the National
board. Chiles will play first if Power
don't show UP.
Barring first and short, we are sat.
isfied to tackle the best in the league;
in any event. we can give a good ac-
count of ourselves. Don't worry
Ward has captained the team on the
trip and will continue to do so until
shortstop or first baseman Is found who
can better fill the position.
The first practice game at home will
be played this afternoon. beginning at
$3.50 o'clock. with the Cuban Giants.
Horner and Stemmell will pitch for
Scranton. That a large crowd will wit
ness the game is indicated by what Is
plainly revived interest in the sport
in this city and the belief that the
association would try to move the
earth in order to have this city repre-
sented by club that will be well up in
the race. Several hundred invitations
have been issued for this afternoons
fpr tn r,r rpapt