The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-13

ball writer for the Evening Globe be-
lieves that the real fight for the pen
nant will be between Pittsburg, New
York and Cincinnati. "Pittsburg will
be found hard to beat. She has such
unmerciful sluggers who are able to
hit any pitcher they go against. The
fight will be close, in my opinion,
though any little accident may cause
any one of the teams to drop down
close to the tail enders. I don't look
for much trouble from st. Louis, the
much touted invincibles, with its staff
of pitchers"
McGraw Talks of Giants.
Just before leaving Savannah last
night for Birmingham Manager Nc
Graw made expression for the first
time on the chances of the Giants to
win the pennant.
II don't believe in playing the game
during the winter" he said, but we
are going to play the best we know
how; we are going right into the fight
from the first pitched ball, and the
team that is always trying is sure to
be crowned with success"
This answer delivered straight from
the shoulder is typical of the Giants
scrappy little leader. He never was
given to boasting, preferring to have
Last year, when the Giants were in
first place, with a good lead, McGraw
was asked If he expected to land the
pennant and he promptly replied in
the negative.
Picked Pittsburg Last Year.
II think Pittsburg will land the pen
nant, but New York should finish sec
ond."
From this it can be seen that Nc
Graw knew what his team was capa-
BILE of doing.
What have you to say about your
team?"
"They are a good lot of ball players" !"
was the quick reply, land 1 know the
men will give good account of them
selves.
Certainly, do not know how much
Pittsburg had up it's sleeve last year,
but 1 do know that the Giants are
stronger than last year, The Pitts
burgs had a big advantage in that the
| men had played together two seasons,
| and that is great deal. The Giants
will play better this year, because
| team work will run more smoothly,
| and again there are some strong addi-
tions to the team.
"I have made up my mind to play
Bresnahan at third. Here is man
who has not. yet showed what great
| ball player he really is. With Dahlen
at his left, he soon will get onto all
| tricks, and as regards his batting, l
need not go into details. Everybody
| knows what he can do with the stick.
| Gilbert at second can do his work as
well as any one in the business, and
| l guess there are few first basemen
who have got anything on McGann.
Thinks Well of Mccormick.
"The outfield is strong. Mertes plays
the sun field about as well as any
body who ever has been in left, and
when 1 get Mccormick broken in to
my style of play, then center will be
| well looked after. Mccormick is a
good player and will learn quickly,
George Browne is a fixture in right
| field. He is a better ball player than
| many people give him credit for. /
| have got him now where he will do
| exactly as he is told. He is a good
hitter and can get to first as fast as
any man in the business, He did not
begin to show how much he improved
until late last season.
Behind the bat we are well provided
| for At any rate, l am satisfied that
| Warner and Bowerman can do the
work. In case of an accident to a
| catcher, I can call on Bresnahan and
| have Devlin and Dunn to call on for
| third base.
1.-THE pitching department is much
stronger than last year, because we
have three left-handed pitchers. OF
course, l don't know how Milligen or
Wiltse will pan out, but 1 do know
that Ames will do. 1 could not give
him much attention last season, but
when he gets broken in to covering
the bases he will be great strength
to the team.
"McGinnity, Matthewson and Taylor
will pitch as well as they did last
year."