The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-30
MEN RECOGNIZED
EVERYWHERE AS SPEEDY.
Pitchers Are Getting in Good Form
and Look as Strong as Any Staff in
League-Slight Weakness with the
Stick Offset by Strength in Other
Departments.


mark. This neoessitates win
ming four games at Louisville and In
dianapolis, but the team should be
equal to the task.
The millers were unfortunate in not
getting more than one chance at the
Columbus team. Altho the senator's
took this game. 1t was by q narrow
and in Sundays contest,
which was stopped by rain, it was adj
mitted that Minnesota outclassed the
Ohioans. Had the series been. played
out, it is probable that Minneapolis
would have taken two, or perhaps
three, of the contests. This would have
taken them to Louisville with a good
margin above 800, and would have
left a chance to fall down in that.
town and Indianapolis, still returning
home with half their games won.
The fielding Of the team Is steadily
Improving, and the men are taking
advantage Of every opportunity on the
sacks as well as in the field, according
to the reports. Some Of the pitchers
have not rounded into shape yet, but
Thomas, Owens and Stimmel have
shown that they are in good form.
Bailey was hit hard in his first game,
but atletter from Watkins says that
the authenticated southpaw is fast
getting into shape, and is displaying
lot of ginger. Stimmel allowed but
nine hits and four runs in the two
games he twfrled. This Is remarkable
form for the first fortnight Of the sea-
son, and shows that Archie will be
one of the mainstays of the pitching
staff this year, as well as one Of the
best tw1rlers in the association. Owens
has not. pitched a full game, but has
been very effective when sent in to
relieve the other tWirlers. Thomas
has pitched two good games and has
been hit hard in another, but prom
Uses to be winner.
Ford and Katoll have not been tried
as yet Ford was late in reporting,
and Is not quite in shape yet. Wat
kins probably intends to save Big
Katoll until warm weather arrives.
While KatolPs arm is said to be in
good shape, a slight strain might put
it to the bad for some time, and Wat
kins evidently intends to take no
chances.
The hitting of the men has not con-
tinued since the Toledo game. The
men have made altogether. a total Of
fifty-one safeties in six games, or an
average Of 8h hits a game. This Is not
good enough batting to suit the fans
entirely, but six games@i is hardly a
criterion of the teams real strength.
Moreover. one game when the team
fore the fifth round and the drives
subsequently, do, not count in the av-
erAges OF, the. men. The fielding and
pitching promise to be strong enough
to offset slight weakness with the
stick.
sMcNichol and Demontreville have
been having a hard fight for third
base. Up to date McNichol has had
the best Of it in both fielding and hit
the bases as the former big Lacquer.
It was rumored a few days ago that
Demontreville would be released, but
Fox's illness caused a postponement- of
this action. It is probable that both
men will be: kept for two or three
weeks longer, SO that the team will
have flrst-class utility man.
The acquisition Of Weaver gives as
surance that the team will be strong
behind the bat. Indeed no club ap-
pears to have the call on the mll1ers
In the matter Of backstops just now,
except perhaps Indianapolis. Leslie
has been doing good work and hitting
the ball as hard as any. man on the
ably do most Of the catching If he
continues to paste the ball as he has
been doing.
The New York National team con-
tinues to hold the lead in that league,
but this was to be expected, as the
team has met only the weak eastern
clubs. Next week McGraw's men
start on the road, and will have SIX
teen games in string with the strong
western aggregations. This will test
the ability and nerve Of Muggsy's pets
severely, and undoubtedly the giants
will drop back to the bunch, altho
they may not lose first place. Many
critics think New York will go stale
toward the end Of the season, on ac-
count Of their more than usually
strenuous preliminary season. If they
continue at their present gait they will
undoubtedly capture the pennant
There are rumors OF dissension and
facdonal strife in the team also, but
too much Importance should not be
attached to these rumors.
Pittsburg remains in the second d.
vision, but should get out in short
time, especially, when the eastern
teams strike the smoky city. Man
ager Clarke insists that his pitching
staff is far from being weak. He thinks
it superior to every club except st.
Louis, and says that he will show UP
even stronger than the cardinals when
the veterans get into shape. st. Louis
is still playing q strong game. This
team, with Pittsburg, New York and
Chicago, look like the first division
clubs this year. Cincinnati appears
to be weak in inside work, and will
probably drop back ere long.
In the American league, Chicago