The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-17

President shiveIey every season
gives out a sort of sprognosticatory'7
statement about the Western associa-
ton. His bunch of dope for this year
is now out He picks Topeka as the
best right now. and Leavenworth as
this towns only dangerous competitor
for the bunting. Shiveley's story fol-
lows in full:
When the Western association opens
its season on May 4 many new faces
will be found in the personnel of the
teams. The American association and
other major organizations drew heav-
lily on its ranks this year. Three play
ers of the Wichita team, last years
pennant winners, will have berths in
the American association this season.
Jack Holland. first baseman, is making
good with Indianapolis. Henry Gehr-
ing, the crack pitcher of the Western
association, has found a berth with
Minneapolis. and Dusty Miller, of Kan
sas City, has a regular berth in the
Minneapolis outfieId.
Jimmie Frick. another Wichita in
fielder, has been drafted by Toronto.
Tom Hughes, a Topeka twirler, has
found berth with Cleveland. Others
of the Western association have gone
to the Eastern league.
Topeka shows up with rosy pros
poets this year, and their arch enemies,
the Wichita bunch are weak, decided
" weak in the pitching department.
Farmer Wil1ett. a last years find, who
will be ready for faster company after
this season Comiskey saw the far
mer boy act during his visit to Wich-
ita. and he spoke well of him
Shorty Hurlburt, who handled the
Springfield aggregation last year, will
look after the interests of st. Joseph
In the Western association this sea-
son. Hurlburt's strength at ST
Joseph is an unknown quantity so far
of
UP the real article
Dock Cooley. an old head in the
major leagues. and formerly from Tom
Lawson's town, has hooked up with
Herman Crow, of Topeka. and togeth-
er they VIII run the Topeka repre-
sentation. It would not be surprising
If they would produce a winning
squad.
The Sedalia franchise has been sold
to Webb City, and with it went Dick
Rohn, last years manager who will
handle the team again this season.
Dick Rohn's team never looked good
on paper last year, but they played the
real article and beat the top notchers
while they We're holding down the
rear end.
Leavenworth has been bought by
stock company, and Oklahoma City is
In the. same condition. Joplin will be
under the same management this year
and will have about the same lineup.
and their prospects for the season:
Webb City -
Catcher, Cheek first base Rohn:
second base. Porkorney; third base,
McDill; shortstop. White; outf1elders
Antry Rolling and Sauerwein; pitch
ers, Shaner, Cravens, Sauerwein and
Meredith.
done on the Webb City squad. The
pitching staff looks good, but the out
f1eld is weak. The old Sedalia team
never finished worse than fourth
place and they won the 1904 pennant
Wichita.
Catcher, O'Leary: first base Milton;
second base, Bankhead; third base,
Cope; shortstop, Jones; outfelders,
Bevis, Johnston, Green, Pollock: pitch
ers, Brandon. WiIfett, Phoenix, Nash
Wichita should finish in the first d.
vision, but the chances Of retaining the
pennant look slim to the present hold
ers OF the rag. The firing staff is open
to decided strengthening. Willett the
farmer boy who made his debut from
the wheat fields last year will be call
ed upon to stand the brunt Of the work.
Brandon was with the Missouri Valley
league last year. He is an cratic
youngster and his future can hardly be
predicted, Jack Nash was with
and did creditable work Phoenix is
brush find and an unknown quantity.
Pollock. of Las Vegas. is playing a SEN
sationa1 game In the right garden.
and doing fairly we'll. Jones, at short
was with Guthrie last year. He is an
erratic fielder but a good stickef. The
other members were all with the PEN
nant winners last year.
Oklahoma City.
Catcher, Lewis; first base, Porter;
second base, John Ogee: third base. P.
G. Miller; shortstop. Risley; outf1elders.
Scroggins, Lotion, Wilson; pitchers,
Root, Woods and two others to be OBJ
tanned.
The lineup of the Oklahoma city
team does not show up as fast as last
years bunch. With Speck Hurlburt out
Of the game Oklahoma City lost one of
its heaviest batters and best all around
players. Trouble was experienced at
the start in getting the team together
for training. The franchise has been
bought by new parties and the players
took advantage Of the fact and all
struck for higher salaries. It was only
under threat Of blackisting that they
reported at the last minute. The best
Oklahoma City can wish for will be a
last place in the first division.
In the practice work and the games
that have been played on the local dia-
mond, thus far. every man has shown
up we'll Lewis. the catcher secured
from California, is a strong point in the
team. He is a good batter. a first
class base runner, and oficiates behind
the bat as well as the best of them.
His throw to second IS most pleasing to
the fans, for this was one Of the weak
points last year Root and Woods are
warming up well, and their work in
the box shows that more can reason
ably be expected Of them before the
season is much progressed.
LeavenwortH1-
Catchers, Corbin, Kern and Mcdowell;
| first base, link: second base Kahl or
Sits; third base Leroy or Stewart;
shortstop. Pennington; outfielders, Har-
rington. Rapp, Wooley. Sackett; pitch
ers. Speer, Ashley, Carol, Rowan, Havi-
land and Mckinney.
Leavenworth looks very good, except
in the pitching department, where there