The sun., 1908-12-26
CURRENT SPORTING GOSSIP
uGR4W THINkG6 1909 PROS
pECTS BRIGHTER THAN EVER.
New York Nanonais' Makeup Wouid
seem TO Indicate Rsshe Great Dasc.
hall at the Pole GFs,iads --The LEGAL
American Team 30 PPebIesssatieaI,

American Team b PPsbIeaiatieaI
Manager McGraw has a pretty faIr idea
mat now relative to the makeup OF the New
FORK Nationals when they take the field
for the pennant race next April. He will
have number OF young playera TO try
out during the spring training trip. but he
bslieyes that his veterans will be we'll up
IN the requirements and will hardly be re-
nlaced by new material. Mctraw Is con-
pdsnt that he has strengthened the New
York team at least 20 per cent, by making
the recent deal by which he got Catcher
schle Pitcher Raymond and Outfielder
Murray. He says that while he was re-
uctant to let such fine ball player as Roger
Bresnahan get away. he was compelled
10 sacrifice the great catcher In order to
slrensthcn the team In other departments.
Mctiraw. II seems. kept his eye on Catcher
schei for several seasons. and finally con-
GUIDED that the former Cinclnnati backstop
would be o decided acquisition to the New
York team According TO Mo(iFaw, SchIei
"a bound TO improve in this city. for the rea-
son that he already has displayed steadinees,
nerve and class. He thinks that Schlel
with some coaching will prove an able
substitute for Bresnahau and that he will
be able to catch In a majority OF the games.
schei has an even disposition, is a horse
for work. can throw well and is q fair bats
man. 10 help him out behind the bat
MUrsw will have Needham and Snodgrass,
already tried and not found wanting; also
Meycrs the crack Western catcher. who
comes here with an excellent reputation,
and youngster named Wilson.
In the pitching department McGyaw
believes there will be more strength than
ever before. In Mathewson. Ames and
Niltse he has three stars whose qualities
are well known Raymond. under proper
handling, should prove q consistent winner,
according to Mc0raw, who says the new
pitcher has plenty OF stamina and can take
his turn regularly. Crandall should i'm
prove over last years record. Crandali
needed experience when he first came here,
and he got plenty Of It. Taylor will prob
ably be retained, but whether McGinnity
stays is a matter that has not been decided
vet. The Indianapolis pitchers. Mar
GUARD and Durham. are also expected to
prove effective next season. McGraw
realizing that neither had a chance to do
himself justice last fall.
McCraw has already ANNOUNCED that his
regular infield will be made up of Tenpey.
Doyle, Devlin and Bridwell. aud be declares
that this combination cannot be improved
Young Herzog win be the utility infelder
unless he wins a regular place In the out
field. Capt. Eonlin will play right Geld
again and Murray. fine batsman and
base runner. will take care Of left field
Seymour's place In centre Geld is somewhat
10 Keep in line. D'Hara OF the Haliimores,
a tast younRster. probably nill make a
strong bid for Seymour's place while Her
n cSf do there. De vore. who did well ia
Newark, is another candidate for the out
teld who, gives much promise;
sss SsfhsF Good ! or saa
and that New ork fans will see another
exciting race for the pennant at the Polo
Grounds
The makeup Of the New York Americans.
on the other hand. Ia proolenlatical. Mana
% .on Srdfs and s f 90 sos .os @ soe sySsEs s
n S M IssSar Jack ktnoW and BAR asF
nts % rs sHis Ct Ct Sos s'fhaS a % ss saeE Il
as Il the fans would SEQ Chesbro. Lake.
Manning. Marhon and Wilson, as resulars.
sy are asd not fsor ns aad %ay Ss
,raded. StallinEs has other pitchers who
rave done we'll in the minor leagues. but az
sfsR Bnso Is hsg ssSg Sfpnss psssfded es OF
,hase will play first base to q certainty,
and that means whole lot For, second
ase eandass snd wss eoSoy sss have
,iyss FOR third base 10 Austin Of Omaha
and Fngle OF last year 3 Newark team. who
ssmorS Il team Is picked or Q, sost
held. which means that Eiberieid viii 70,
For the outaeld Hemphili DeIamitt.
shsrd ri fisht for The positions. Neal Bali and
Noriarity viii be used as extra inheiders.
stangs is not making predictions but says
Of speed when they strike their gait.
According to, reports from the, Cosst
zoe to sh %
again, He has agreed to defend the title
IN twenty Ave round fight at Colma with
asn sSsS ksH oaS ss s@ Ssiea spks e9 Ksiehe
@ earned ned ffS%hss tSse sarss n.a Would nos h asae
@ .: S h. i prassSs SssShs r Tf: ssS ed
with a challenge from Sam Langford. who
Knocked out Jem Flyun In . couple Of punches
me SsSeT night Lsnef0sd says ne
With ease. He declared after his victory
over Flynn that he wanted TO meet Ketchei
and would keep after the latter until match
tits the general opinion that Lansfcrd Is
ne only man IN the ring Th2 has q change
nd Pet Kttehs e The %sds~sshss ss sas
teeognize the negro or draw the color line;
ketchel, however. has never been accused
fHIfeossrdics 2. and Y Usually swaysd by pub.
him on. Should KetcheI beat IIAngford Il
you'd be hard matter for either Burns or
Johnson 10 dodge him, and IS Ketchei is
Hter the heavyweight title 10 believed
ewill do all in his power TO be 10 Q position
70 get match for the worlds champion
ship.
Arthur Lumiey, q veteran sporting man
who has been Identified with many star
gugilists, is dangerously iii at his home, 80
Fourth avenue. Brooklyn. He was stricken
several weeks ago and has besn practically
without funds, though too modest to ask
hls friends for assistance
II has been definitely decided that u the
Jockey Clubs tracks open neat year the
,s hsld stands viii be closed pernapently 70
betting Law went into effect that the field
enclosures we're ipimicabie to the best m
t,srests Of the turf. but the racing ,aesocia-
lion kept them open because OF the large
revenues they represented. In future. how
ever. the closing OF the stands viii mean
,,hat the small bsttors will be prevented
rom speculstine on the races unless they
s,Ioonile the poolrooms and nenaoooks.
- indulge in il and who are able to pay a
NFh rate OF admission TO the traoks.
u has been sugFested In some quarters
nht next year the. adm ssIon lee 70 tbs
.,t'ks should be raised from % 70 IS. and
,tN '!ea seenps to be meeting with some
,,,o- With q e5 tsrln the receipts un.
.,nn'edly would be greater. and for that
ts"r tsao, ~ hf asseoiations could nmrs Snord 10
n nresert the legal ad visers OF the Jockey
e. gre massive. but II ts said that aiter
"" Wears many caees wilt be tried In the