The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-29
CLARKE is SATISFIED
WITH THIS YEARS TEAM
Believes Pittsburg VIII Have Bet
ter Pitching Staff than Last
Season.
RACE SHOULD BE CLOSE
Clarke Is Glad that Other Teams
Have Been Strengthened
This Year.
RACE SHOULD BE CLOSE

PITTSBURG. Feb. 2S-'T see that a num-
Der OF club managers are already claiming
the pennant for this season, remarked
Fred Clarke this afternoon. ''Pennants are
not hard TO win in the winter season when
the snow is on the ground and prevents the
real article. but things sometimes turn out
bit different in the good old summer time
and I think 1 will wait until that time be-
fore making a claim Of the fourth flag for
the Pirates"
Clarke arrived from Chicago this after
noon. and was met at headquarters by
reception committee consisting of Deacon
PHILIPPE, Hans Wagner and Secretary
Locke, who rendered him the freedom Of
the place. and he at once proceeded to
make himself at home. The gallant leader
of the three-time pennant winners looks
well after winter his Kansas farm.
and says that if necessary he could jump
IN and play ball tomorrow. He was accom-
panied as far as Chicago by his brother-in-
law. Chic Fraser. who spent the winter
on the Clarke farm, and who was left in
Chicago engaged in a series Of games Of
pitch with Charley Comiskey. Joe Cantil-
lion and some other ballplayers.
Il am pretty well satisfied with my
team, said Clarke. land have not the
least bit of fear 10 the pitching depart
ment- / think that before the season is
very old We viii cut loose a surprise for the
IN the pitching line. 1 see that Kruger IS
out at the springs, and / am glad that the
little fellow is in shape again, because he
Will be needed. There is not the least dan
ger of his being allowed 10 get away from
US i understand that Barney picked up
a clever player in that boy Standard. but
as he cannot join the team before June,
we will have lot OF work for the little
German. L have heard from nearly all
the players, and the boys seem anxious to
get back into harness again.
II am well aware that some of the teams
of the league have been considerably
strengthened. and that is just what we
want. as IL will make the race closer and
put my boys on their mettle. L can't see
a team that we need TO be afraid Of and
the fact that some OF them are bit strong
er than they were last year will be a good
thing. because the boys will have TO work
all the time and there will be no loafing
be long one, as the playing season has
been heightened. but that will not affect
US any. All We need will be a good start
and we will make the pace fast enough
Clarke left tonight for Princeton to take
up his duties as coach, and he will give
the college players two weeks of his time.
The job of a college coach is a new thing
10 him, and he was making inquiries as
10 his duties. Pitcher Cushman, who hap
pened to be at headquarters, told Clarke
that he would be expected TO make a speech
In the chapel TO the players and the Pr
rates leader said he would balk on that
job, as he Is a player and not a speech
maker. Clarke Is not going 10 Princeton
TO tell the boys how to play ball, but will
a uniform, which he will don and show
the collegians the real thing In the play
ing line. He was accompanied as far as
Philadelphia by his wife and little daugh-
ter, who are TO visit relatives in the Quaker
City.