The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-15
THE BASEBALL OUTLOOK IN THE AMERICAN ASSOClAHO
Toledo Fans Are from Missouri
on Paper Strength
Of Team.
BY George r. PuIford.

Toledo, Ohio, April 14.-opinion il
divided concerning the Toledo team.
President Grillo and Captain Bill
Clarke believe they have an outfit ca.
pable of running one, two, three and
with decent break in luck, a chance
at the pennant. But the fans and many
critics are from Missouri on this point.
teams been made during the time tie
frost was in the ground, only to be re-
versed before the sunny days of :Au.
gust, that it is a case of Fshow me-
before any claims will be made by the
public.
The team looks stronger than last sea-
son and on paper has been strengthened
more than any club in the association.
But paper ballplayers don't win pen
and that association exploded when
the teams returned from training
camps. Barring few baseball writer's,
no one in Toledo has seen the men per-
form. The games against Cincinnati
were not the sort to give a line on tile
team. Neither were those with tie Cen
trail league clubs. 80
Doubtless the presence of Bill Clarke
| will add the life, so lacking N former
years: Already the ex-giant has in
stilled in the men the desire 20 get out
and light and has taught them things
heretofore only dreamed Of by To-
ledo team.
Clarke is to play first base. and he is
anything but heavy hitter. &c re-
places Watty Lee, who last season bit
a 300 clip. which in spite of inabil-
him valuable.
| At second, Knabe has it ON Gene De-
mont, last years captain. He is
youngster, a fast fielder and accurate
| thrower with the ability to hit oppor
timely and hard. Frank, at short is
an improvement over Clingman in MANY
ways: He fields beautifully, hits the
ball hard, is one of the best men the
association ever saw in putting the ball
on lunner, and Is dangerous man on
the bases.
Otto Kruger at third is not George
Moriarity. He was released by Pitts
burg and while playing a fast game. he
all the time. 4 -
In the outfeld Josh Clarke, is the
only certainty. At present he is laid
up with a Isprained angle, but will be
aea66y tor the opener; Rip Camel, the
ably make the team. He has shown Nd
well and his hitting, throwing and abif-
1ty to judge long hits makes him rea-
sonably sure Of place The other
field job will be fight between Keane.
Jude and Nance. Neighbors will be
for sale. The chances are the fight will
narrow. to Jude and Keane, unless
, Nance's experience is worth more than
so per cent.
} Both these boys are on the road to
! the major organizations. Keane. is a
college player. He hits like veteran
stinsins line drives to the tall and un
cut, covers plenty of ground, is sure or
l fly balls and one of the best baserun
3 ners on the team. Jude is his eoua
IN everything save throwing. and in this
n department the Georgetown boy is :
wonder. Neither will be released unit
Y after thoro trial.
Kinsella, Camnitz, Minahan,. Sutthof
S and Piatt will do the pitching and arr
a IN form now to begin the race Al
r: are in better condition than at the be
d ginning Of last season, and with goot
q team play should win a majority OF
e their games. In Fred Abbott and Gro
e yer Land the team is well equipped
! with backstops: Abbott is showing tn,
s form that made him so reliable whe,
K with Cleveland. He reported in goot
condition and will be fit as stakehors,
d when the gong sounds. Land, in tn.
IL hands of Bill Clarke, has improved Owe
a last, season.
o Looking over the situation it NAV, b,
Ii summarized as follows: -
IS Heady. steady, scrappy ball playin.
i will keep Toledo to the front thruou
1, the season. The men have it in then
Is to assume and maintain a place. O
prominence in the race, providing Cap
d tain Clarke has the ability to run tn
e team.
h If Clarke is not a natural leader, tn
10 bunch won t play fast enough to keeI
IS warm. Under strict discipline, every
e body keeping hands off, save Clarke, tn
It team looks mighty good. but with TIL
q interference Of the past, the dream vii
be exploded.