New-York tribune., 1908-03-29
GIANTS INFIELD FAST.
Deulin Only old Nezc Yorker-Ne7t
Men 4H Stars.

When the Giants open the season at the Polo
Grounds next month the New York baseball en-
thusiasts Will watch with much interest the work
ing OF the infeld. Since last fall John McGraw
has made many changes in his team. and the
biggest have been in the infield The trade
with Boston by which Brdwell. Tenney and Need
ham came here and McGann. Dahlen. Bowerman'
Browne and Ferguson became Beaneaters has fur
nshed columns OF discussion But McGraw still
thinks he got the best of the deal, and the fans
will have TO judge his wisdom
AT first base where Dan McGann reached for
wide ones and scooped up low ones for years
Fred Tenney Will be in command The veteran
Boston player is a left handler and one OF the
best first basenen in the game Although ms
records were not as good as McGanns last year. ne
is expected to be a more useful player. Now that
the cares and worries of manager and captain are
of his shoulders and he is not with a tali eiio
team, II is believed that he viii be an ehure4S
different player. Though he is fast man IN the
fnreld he is at his best when at the bat ana on
the bases All the fine points OF the game are
at his command. and he is a past master at au
vancing a runner.
At present 1t is undecided who will cover second
base for the Giants. 1t lies between TWO young
sters Larry Doyle and Fred Merkie- In ouliu
they are entirely different. Doyle Is short ana
stocky Merkle long and lanky- Doyle played sec
ond base with the Giants in sixty-odd games ias'
season He was green. but his work was sa'ls-
factory Since he has been in the South he has
game at first base but that position is well COW
cred now McGraw likes Merkle. tie VIII ma
something for him to do. and second base Is about
the weakest point the team therefore sie' h4e
is getting his chief practice there Doyle VIII
probably be the reeuiar anu -h
man.
AL BridweU will play shortstop. In the terri
,or- whore Bill Dahlen held forth for so many
wears the young Boston player is expected 10 90
some fast work this year. Last season ne leu 'te
National League shortstops. lie outclasseS Jan
ion In every department Of the game Brld"e!i Is
coming while Dahlen has almost reached ms
limit of usefulness New Workers VIII see some
fast work In the short field at the Polo Grounds
this year. -,
The only veteran Giant In the inleld VIII De
Arthur Deylin at third base Fer steady, reliable
pIaying he has few superiors This Is the sl1th
year he New York uniform, ana inc
Southern reports say he is faster than ever DeV-
lin is hard worker, and his playing is filled with
ginger.
This combination looks TO be fast one ana
capable of putting up a high class exhibition or
team work There is considerable young blood
and enough veterans keep the youngsters
steady
Besides the infelders mentioned. there are a
number Of new and old men VINO must be con-
sidered Hannifan, though never regular, has
played at first base second and in the field lie
is useful though not star player Sammy
Strang has been the chief Giant utility man Tor
years, and will again be hand Evans. Herzog
and Pyle are the others working for infield jobs
Steve Evans has the best chance of finally landing
q berth with the New York team He is d good
batter and fast the bases