The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-05

Whatever may be said by local writ
ers and fans of the Scranton clup
probable chances on the diamond this
season. the opinions of writers through
out the Eastern league circuit point
toward the eminent success of "Sandy'
GriHlns men. The pitching depart
mant does not seem to be wholly satis-
factory, but that is the only spot in
which the club may prove weak.
There are twenty players on the club
roll and of these all have signed, eX-
cepting Gunson and Harper, both of
wnum want to play but are quibbling
over q question of salary. Bonner long
ago accepted terms, verbally and in
writing. and will be found on second
bag when the gong sounds notWith-
standing the report from Wilkes Barre
that he finds his saloon business too
profitable to abandon. The complete
roster of the team is as follows:
Catchers-Boyd, Gunson. Berger,
ONeill.
Ptchers-Gillon. Harper, Yerkes, Mea-
ney, Morse. Wellner.
FIRST base-Masscy.
Second base-Bonner.
Third baSe-Maguire.
Shortstup-3eard, Moss.
Left field-Eagan.
Center held-Walters, Manager Griffin.
Right field-Daly.
Extra player-O'Brien.
Assuming that Griftin's plans do not
miscarry the probable makeup, eX-
Guiding pitchers, will be:
Catchers-Boyd, Gunson.
First base-Massey,
Second base-Bonner.
Third base-Maguire.
Shortstop-Beard.
Left feld-Eagan.
Center field-Walters.
Right field-Daly.
On the strength of the proposed make
up and that the pitching corps VIII
show an efficiency which will nearly
average that of ether clubs, Scranton
is tipped in every Eastern league city
TO finish not lower than fifth, while sew
eral writers claim the club as their
choice for fourth and a few size up
the team as having a good chance for
third place. All this is, to say TIE
least, pretty good for a club half-com-
posed Of players who finished an un-
mistakable tail-end last season.
There is reason for these hopes. AL
though the club is not stamped with too
much of that dash and speed which are
essential to a sure winner, its hitting
strength should be second to none in
the league. Massey and Bonner with
percentages of 1887, Boards 1856 and
Maguire's .301 show an average intield
hitting strength of 1888. The outtield
looms up even better than that. Wal
ters comes here from the New Eng
land league with an average of .374
DAILY has q mark of .349 and Eagar
pounded out 1929 last season and he hi
in hard luck at that. These figures
show a general outfield average of .351
OF the others, Meaney has an average
of .332, GunsOn 900, O'Brien .29S anG
Boyd .2jS.
a sample of how Scranton is viewed
away from home is shown in the fol
lowing extract from a general review
story in the Buffalo Express, and tht
opinion it contains is a fair example oi
what other sporting writers say:
As far as team strength is concerned
looking at the past work and records
Of individual players, it is fair to judg
that the first division should include Buf
falo, Providence, Syracuse and Scranton
The second division may be headed b!
Rochester, with Wilkes Barre and Spring
field following and Toronto trailing.
Many fans like the three New Yorl
clubs and Providence. Others look Of
Scranton as dangerous. 1t is safe to sa,
that both Scranton and Wilkes-Barre ar
much stronger than last year. Wilkes
Barre may not be a second division team
after all. Some hot southern blood ha
just been imported and the Coal Baron
may astonish the natives,
Scranton is good and strong. Three o
Rochester's best men, Boyd, Beard an
DAILY, are with the Coal HeaVers. In bat
ting, the team is the strongest of then
all. Bonner, of Wilkes-Barre, will be
hot one on second. Neaney will be o
the pitching staff, but 1t is hardly likcl
that he will stay there long. The onl
weak point in the team is the ptchin
material.
1t Is true that Wilkes Barre's chance
are not to be despised. In all past sea
sons that club has been an unknown
quantity up to few weeks, and often
times a few days before the practic
season. On that account this yea
there has been given no opportunity t
wax enthusiastic over Wilkes Barre
outlook until very recently. Now
transpires that while Wilkes Barre ha
lost Bonner and Lezotte it has secure
as manager and outfielder Abner Pow
ell, who has been manager and Captai