The Topeka state journal., 1909-01-29
Other Mines in Western League
Will Watch Omaha.
Rourkes Strong in Catching and
Pitching Department.
HOLLENBECK is STAR.
The Infield Is a Trifle Weaker
Than Other Portions.
Outfield Will Be a Fast Trio in
Fielding and Hitting.

That the Omaha Western League
team of 1909 will be a good one almost
goes without saying when the record of
this team during the last few years is
known. In 1906 Omaha finished third
with a team which won about half of
its games. The next year the team fin
ished first outdistancing all competi-
tors a month before the season ended.
Last year the team of the Nebraska
metropolis finished a near first, losing
the pennaEt to Sioux City in the last
series of the season.
The Omaha team with three excep-
tions will be the same as last season,
and it was good one then. Three of
the 1908 team have gone to the ma
5ors, First Baseman~ Autrey, Third
BaSeman Austin and Pitcher Ragan. OF
this trio, Austin probably has the best
chance to make good. He played in
Topeka in the poSt-Season series a year
ago, and was one of the swiftest play
ers ever seen here in this position. He
There. is a three cornered fight on for
this place and Austin is the most likely
looking candidate. Autrey is well
known, he having played with the Webb
City team of the Western Association
in 1906. At that time he was an out
fielder. He went to Omaha in mid
season and played the outfield there. The
next season he was given a tryout at
first and ranked above all other first
sackers in the association. He is a
hard hitter, and bats and throws left
handed. Webb City sold him to Omaha
for only $3.50. Ragan was one of the
best pitchers in the Western League
last season and should give good ac-
count of himself next spring.
The Omaha team is owned entirely
by William F. Rourke. who Is more
familiarly known by the nickname
PA" Last season Buck Francks, who
played second base and shortstop, was
captain of the team, known generally
as Rourkes, and will probably receive
this honor again this season.
The Rourkes will be strong in the
catching department next year. The
bulk of the work will be performed by
Johnny Gonding. the veteran. Gonding
came to Omaha in 1902 from the Kan
sas City team where he had played for
several seasons previous to that Next
year will be his eighth in Omaha. Le-
Brand, who caught and played the util-
ity role last season, Will help out in
the backStop work. Another, a catch
er, Cadman, who is highly recon-
mended, will be given trial.
Hollenbeck, the big left-hander will
likely be the star of the pitching squad.
For a southpaw Hollenbeck has won
derful control. Saunders and Hall are
perform for Pa another season. Then
there are three youngsters, Lower,
Rice and Johns. All these are we'll
recommended and one from the number
VIII pe selected TO take regular turn
in the box.
The infeld doesn't look quite as
strong. Autreys place is in dispute,
two men having been signed. They are
Clair and Everline, and not much is
known of either. Graham will be back
at second base unless his leg which
caused him trouble last season, goes
back on him again. Buck Franks will
be back at short, and a youngster,
Chapman, has been signed for this po-
sition. Johnny Pendry, a former West
ern Association player, will be on third
in the place of Jimmy Austin. Pendry
played with GAINESVILLE in the Central
League last season. King, who played
second a portion of last season, will
play second in case Graham is disabled,
otherwise he will be carried as a util-
ity. player.
Fisher, Welch and Belden will be
back in the outfield. These make a
fast trio, both in hitting and fielding.
Welch, who plays center field, led the
league in hitting last year.
With this aggregation Omaha will be
in the fight right from the start and
will undoubtedly finish high in the race