The Washington times., 1905-09-24
Athletics and Giants
Discussed by Rapier
New York Critic Thinks PhiIadelphianS Have
More Than an Even Chance of Winning
Series From MCGraw's Team.
By RAPIER.

NEW YORK, Sept. z.-The time is ripe
for the lovers of dope TO begin.
The question of supremacy in both OF
the big BASEBALL leagues has been prac-
ticaliy settled. and unress the world
turns upside down, which is not likely
to happen. there VIII be nothing but
New York and Philadelphia when the
last gun is fired announcing the end of
the greatest baseball season that fans,
eyes ever beheld.
Both Chicago and Pittsburg Will have
to content themselves with second
money. and with the exception of one
or two possible changes in the Ameri-
can League standing, the teams will IN
all likelihood finish in the order they
now occupy. The two banner cities.
New York and Philadelphia. are base
ball mad, and 1t can be safely predicted
that the attendance at the games to
be played for the championship of the
world Will by far surpass all previous
records.
Preparing Forces
While both New Workers and Ouakers
busy themselves in figuring out the re-
spective chances of the two teams, Nc
Graw and Connie Mack prepare their
forces for the impending battle with as
much care and circumspection as a
Japanese general prepares his troops
for bloody campaign.
1t is a foregone conclusion that the
Giants will chiefly depend upon
Mathewson to twiri them to victory.
while the Athletics will trust their honor
to the eccentric waddeu
With both these two great slab artists
In their best form the fight will likely
develop into the hottest pitchers duel
the world has ever seen.
To proclaim either one the superior of
the other. just now. would be unjust.
Both Waddell and Mathewson will in
all probability help their teams to
achieve victory. and at the same time
neither of the two will be responsible
for many defeats.
But as it is physical impossibility
that either one should pitch every game,
We must devote some attention to the
rest of the pitching staff of the opposing
clubs.
In McGinnity Ames. Taylor and wiltse
the New Yorks certainly have four
about Coakley. Plank. Bender. and Hen
ley. of Connie Mack's stan?
Coakley Star.
II is my belief that young Coakley. in
his present form, is as good a pitcher
as any In the country. and he can be de-
pended upon to more than hold his own
with either McGinnity. Taylor. or Ames
The Iron Man of today is not by
long odds the always reliable. strong,
cool-headed pitcher of a few years ago.
AS matter of fact. there are many
who believe that he has seen his best
days
The writer does not share this belief
Far from that. fully expect to see
McGinnity return to his oid-time in
vincible form.
But this change for the better can
hardly be expected 10 take place this
year, and il may occur too late TO be of
any use to his team.
Taylor. who started the season as a
sure winner, has weakened OF late. and
while. still a great pitcher, he cannot
De relied upon ~as
Ames Is cratic
AS to Leon Ames. he holds the Ma
tional League strikeout record. having
famed more batsmen than any other
twirler, but at the same time he has
also unlocked twenty-five wild pitches,
which is a seasons record. also.
These figures show plainly that Ames
style of pitching, while brilliant. is alto
gether too erratic to be serviceable TO
his club in the fight for the worlds
championship.
Wiltse, McGraw's only south paw ar
fist. cannot be rated as a star. AMI il