Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-05
CLEVELAND TEAM
DENSE MYSTERY
From the Chicago Journal.

From the Chicago Journal.
VIII the mystery Of the American League
be solved next season? VIII satlsfac-
tory explanation be finally furnished as to
why the Cleveland club doesn't win the
flag, or will Lajoies men furnish new
solution by winning that flag. as they
have so long been picked to do! L can
see" says Jake Stahl, why the Cleve-
land team doesn't win that flag by as big
a margin as Chicago took the National
League pennant. That team has every
thing, and none Of the other CLUBS can
compare with 1t when you look them over
and yet Cleveland cannot win. I've seen
and played some base ball. and I've tried
to learn the secrets of the game. put the
failure Of the Clevelands is too much for
me-" When the composition of the Cleve-
land club is studied and the greatness Of
the men who make up that team is fully
understood, the mystery becomes still
more bewilderng. Study that team man
for man. compare 1t with any other cluD.
and then try to figure out why II aoe s
distance the others-as Stahl said. just IN
the way the Chicago Cubs distanced the
other performers Of the National League.
That team looms up like an lnVlnclole
Colossus fortified in every section, over
whelmingly superior. and yet 1t cannot
win The pitching staff would not need TO
be the best earth with such team or
fielders and hitters behind 1t. Yet 1t Is
good-so good. in fact. that 1t would win
most Of it's games If transferred to any
other city. Joss Is a terror to batsmen;
Rhoades is a winner right along; bern
hard is a long ways from being deao one 2I
Hess is most dangerous southpaw. The
whole staff is one Of actual class and
merit, and the failure of the team cannot
be laid to the pitchers The catching de-
are not only good catchers, but murderous
batsmen, and no team in the land has a
pair of catchers who can do the aii-season
hitting Of the Cleveland backstops NO
fault. therefore, with the catchers. Stovall,
who did some of the first-base playing last
summer, is a rough-and- ready fellow, use
full at any point serviceable utility man
and husky hitter. Rossman. who has been
given to Detroit fielded well enough and
batted over 300. The balance of the lnfeid
is literal dream of perfection On second
perches the Incompatible LaJoie, not only
a king of batters, but a grand nelder:
Shortstop is covered by little hend OF
fielders and a ringing swatter, Terry Tur-
ner. On third base is the wonderful Brad
ley. a monarch at the bag and a noDle
batsman.7 Such intield. coupled with
such batting power, would be enough to
win flags for the average manager. In the
outfield are three giddy wallpapers who are
also amply able to attend to the hles Con-
galton hit for keeps last season. Harry
Bay is as fast as ever and a simply splen-
did fielder Elmer Flick is a crackerjack
fielder and a rafting hitter. Where can
Won beat that outfeld on all points Of
value? The men are all intelligent, and
the team. when complete for action, pre-
sents such a front of hitters and fast field
ers such as no other outfit can oner And
vet they cannot win the flag. The plea
of accidents and injuries helps some. but
other teams, not half SO powerful, fill the
ranks when men are hurt ana go rlsht on
winning games. Then, what on earth Is
the matter with the Cleveland club? What
real excuse does 1t have for being yearly
loser? The answer: The teamwork Is in
at lr <,,,ff n~n
ager-in other words. no headwork, no in
side ball and too many Individual stars.