Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-18
NEXT YEARS CHAMPIONS.
Manager Selee Of Chicago Picks the
New Yorks for the Honor.

Manager Frank Selee, who will have
charge of the Chicago Colts again next
season, tips the Giants as the team that
will beat out the Pittsburgs next year
Frank also thinks the Chicagos will be the
| ones to fight it out with McGraw's men fol
the premier honors.
Manager Selee has won several pennants
and there is no one better posted in base
ball than the shrewd New Highlander. He
has studied the outlook for next season
thoroughly and carefully, and advances ar
guments that look strong, on paper at
least.
Il notice." said Selee the other day, while
indulging in tanning bee. that they are
laughing at me in Pttsburg for asserting
that the club Of that city mas won the Ma
tional League pennant for the last time,
but mean exactly what say, and shall
be surprised If they finish any better than
third. Not to mention my own team at the
start, I am decidedly of the opinion that
New York will make very strong bid for
the National League pennant next season.
II know of no team just now-I am
speaking of the National League only
that has better pitching department. The
team virtually got along with two pitchers
last season. McGinnity and Mathewson
pitched in over eighty games, and gained
sixty-one Of their eighty-four victories.
That club did not have single reliable
pitcher to help out the other two. Taylor
came the nearest to the others I have men,
toned. and he landed twelve games: New
York has a splendid adjunct to its pitching
very effective work for the club in 1904, I'M
less am very much mistaken.
"Ali talk to the contrary. the New York
Nationals were not a bit weakened by the
absence Of George Davis Baoo niied ms
place well, and put UP game that sur
prised everybody and handled himself ike
a veteran He hit well, and timely. too.
Browne Mertes and Bresnahan make a
mighty strong outheld- TINS Bresnahan Is
one of the best ball players in the country.
Then New York is very strong behind the
bat. It is a well-balanced team-strong at
the bat, fast on the bases and, under such q
leader as McGraw, up to al the tricks IN
the business McGraw deserves all the
credit in the world for the work he got out
of his men, and 1t was owing to his able
leadership that New York made the record
and achieved the financial success 1t did.
Now New York will be a stronger team
in 1904 than it was last season. 1t will have
as an accession. besides Pitcher Ames, Geo.
Mccormick, who was with Jersey City last
season, and who is strong player In all de-
partments. I scarcely think that Devlin.
the Newark player, will supplant Lauder at
third. Lauder is an extremely strong play
er and a decidedly good hitter at critical
points With Lauder in good shape he can
hold his own with most on the base.
Now I fail to see where the Pittsburg
club is going to be stronger than 1t was
last season. 1t has an excellent pitcher IN
Phillippi. Lever may be back In his old
form next season, but doubt 1t. Do
heny will scarcely be the Doheny of old.
The infield is the infieId of old. 1t is fine
aggregation, and the same can be SAID OF
the outfield. The outfield is corker. Clarke
is a great ball player. Beaumont Is Won
der in all directions, and Sebring is
mighty fast young ball tosser. There was
Just enough weakness in that combination.
however, to go down before Boston. and /
think that there will be just enough weak
ness next season to compel the team to go
down before New York and Chicago.
''It is my opinion that the season OF 1904
will be even more successful than the past
one Every club will be out to beat Pitts
burg next season. New York had great
season last year, but I venture to predict
that that of 1904 will be still more success
full"