The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-22
IT'S REALLY FIERCE
Work of the Millers in the Indian
apolis Series the Worst
Ever.
Fielding Errors Not So Exasperating
t,9 to the Fans as Lifeless,
Headless Play.

When the millers played in such good
form against Toledo and Columbus in the
first few games after returning home last
week the fans asked themselves why so many
games had ben lost on the trip east. Those
who saw this weeks games need no further
An occasional off day can be forgiven, but
such exhibitions as the bunch put up Tues
day and Thursday strains the patience of
even the most loyal fan. Sixteen errors in
three games indicates that there Is some
thing sphacelated in the state of Denmark
And It may be remarked here that the err
rors of omission and bad Judgment, which
do not appear on the score board, were even
more numerous than those of commission
Fumbling of grounders and mufhng of flies
do not leave nearly SO bad a taste In the
mouth Indifferent and headless play. II
the men would only ginger up occasionally
were making an honest effort to win. In
Thursdays game, however, as soon as In
dianapolis obtained slight lead, the mon
apparently resigned themselves to defeat.
The disposition to play hard, uphill game,
which characterized the team early In the
a ninth-inning finish has not been seen for
SO long that the fas have forgotten what one
looks like.
game at Minnehaha, and the bunch is off for
another eastern trip, opening at Toledo
Tuesday, and then playing Columbus. In
dianapolis and Louisville in turn. The last
home series will open Sept. 6, with st. Paul.
Milwaukee and Kansas City following. It
is to be hoped that the management will find
a new and more potent brand of dope to
feed the men before they return.
The switch in the lineup of the team this
week was not an unqualified success. Ma
ito make good third baseman. but his work
on ground balls is something awful. McIn-
tyre did not do SO badly on first, but the
c. IT, l~o4 -
fective on the whole. With Mcintyre third
indianapolis probably would not have gained
that lead Thursday, and the game might
eventually have been saved.
At present writing seventh place seems the
best the millers can expect. Indeed, unless
they brace. the bottom Of the percentage
has kindly refused to siestep the slump Of
the local team, and the mud hens are still
favorites for the lobster championship.
less Milwaukee takes an unexpected brace.
Tomorrow both teams start on another trip,
and st. Paul is unquestionably the better
In great form, and by many of the players
is picked to beat out the brewers, but the
colonies can hardly hope to oyertake the
saints, who have too big a lead. indianapolis
is playing a strong game and holding Its
own with Milwaukee and Louisville: A lit
tie slump by either of the latter clubs would
put the boosters ahead.
The strength of the saints is principally
In their batting and base running, but the
average. Kelley's men lead the league III
batting, and have stolen nearly twice as
many bases as any other aggregation. With
four such pitchers as Ferguson, Chech, Stew
art and Bailey, and Allemang as reserve
1t is hard to see how they can lose. But
for Kelley's long absence from the game
they would have had the pennant cinchee
beyond question long ago. -
Boston is generally conceded the pennan
In the American league. In the National
as we'll it's ups, principally due to acct
dents to the players. New York is playing
a stronger game, and neither the giant:
Eastern critics figures that the Bostons, i
they win the pennant in the American, woult
stand at least an even chance against tn
National. Collins pitching staff is consid
cred superior to that of Pittsburg, as are hi
catchers, altho the Americans cannot mattel
the pirates in the infleld or outfeld.
Really great ball players, from the stand
point Of the fan, are few and far between
Ask the regular attendant at the game an
he will tell you that there are only tw
players in harness to-day that are genuin
the Pittsburg champions and Napoleon La
jote Of the Cleveland team. UNFORTUNATELY
for the student who likes to compare tn
this pair are not in the same league, an
consequently they do not appear before tn
same crowds. In the American league cir
cult Lajoie is considered the greatest of Their
all, while in the National league cities Han
Wagner Is recognized the start Of tn
aggregation.
It would be hard matter to decide whic
really is the better player. Lajoie and Wag
nor are in away playing the game on abou
the same lines. Both are awkwardly bull
fellows who do not impress one as havin
much speed, but who much faster tina
the fast men Of the profession. When
comes batting they are in a class by then
selves. AS fielders both are stars In the
respective positions When It comes to al
around work Wagner seems to have a b
the better of his rival for first honors, fc
Wagner has proved star In every posito
he has been placed. He was a start Out
as shortstop there is not man in tt
league who Is his equal, all things consit
= cred Another advantage which Wagnt
seems to have over Lajoie is that he is
scrappy, aggressive player, who is alwa!
hustling and makes himself popular wit
joie, who is more Of a quiet, unaggressi'
player. But it would be a hard matt
to choose between the two. Both are star
and 1T will be years before the game
blessed with another pair like them
team of Wagners would never be defeate
and a team of Lajoies would come pref
near walking home with the pennant in al
company. That is the way the pair size u
Look over the other teams in the leagu
and you will find no other Lajoies or Wa
ners. They are in a class by themselve
and it. would be ticklish bit of prophes
valuable player than the other
m