Evening star., 1909-01-10
NO |NF|ElD WORRY
FOR NAP LAJ0|E
Other League Managers,
However, Must Do Some
Little Guessing.

Cleveland is one of the few American
League clubs that Is not bothering about
its infleld this year. There is good reason
for this, for a youngster has about as
much chance of breaking up that stone
wall outfit as porch climber has of hit
ting the Society for Savings Vaults for a
few thousand.
While several other managers are max
ing great efforts to construct an intield
that will be able to hold its own against
it's rivals, Manager Lajoie is able to sit
back and watch them bid for this or that
player, and say to himself: well, there
is one worry that yours truly can dodge
this year.
With such sterling players as Stovall,
Lajoie, Turner, Perrins and Bradley to
take care of the four positions in the
infield it can be seen that Cleveland has
no cause for worry. If Turner is back
on his old job at short, one of the best
inflelds in the country will be placed on
the field. With Perring holding down the
job the entire outfit will not suffer much
in comparison with the regular one men
toned. for Perring is coming fast. During
the last six weeks of last season, when
Cleveland was making such grand effort
to land the pennants and every game was
a heartbreaker, Perring was just about as
steady as any OF the old rellableS, both
at bat and in the field. Although ne was
a fit subject for the hospital he was game
to the core and never asked to be relieved
until the pennant had actually been lost.
Then Manager Larry decided that the
man who had been playing on his nerve
alone for week or SO should be given a
chance to watch game from the bench.
Waiting on the "Kid."
The Nap infield Is practically the only
&c loRn ifoly
Cantillon of the Washingtons will not be
able to announce the inner bulwarks of
his club until it is seen whether Or not
kid Elberfeld is secured. Mcbride,
Freeman and Jim Delehanty have their
jobs cinched, but with Unglaub, Shipke
and possibly Elberfeld on the team as
well third base cannot be placed in the
list of certainties until later.
Comiskey has SO much infield material
that he will probably not decide upon
his lineup until the spring training trip
is well on. "Jiggs' DonOhue, John
Anderson, Isbell and Tenant are first
base candidates Donohue did not bat
very we'll last season, Anderson is a tri-
f1e shy on fielding when compared with
Donohue. Tenant is a minor league re-
cruit and old "Izzy" might decide TO quit
again. George Davis persists that he is go
ing to play second once more but he may
have trouble In keeping in shape. Parent
must do better than he did last year to
keep his job, which leaves Lee Tannehill
the only man that is certain to retain his
position without fight.
Out at Detroit Jennings knows about
how his team will line up in the infield
Just now 1t looks as If it would be either
Rossman, Schaefer, Bush and Moriarity,
or Rossman. Schaefer, O'Leary and Bush.
Bill Coughlin. however, refuses 10 be
counted out just yet, and he intends to
work hard to keep himself a regular and
thus force Bush to the bench.
May Replace Tom Jones.
williams. Wallace and Ferris are the
St. Louis fixtures, but Tom Jones will not
be found on first base if McAleer can Sc
cure better man for the place. Inas-
much as Jones played a ripping good
considerable hunting before he can i'm
prove on the erstwhile coal miner.
The Athletic infield will be an expert
ment at the start of the season IL Con-
ME Mack adheres to his decision to play
Davis on first, Murphy on second, Barry
at short and Baker at third, inasmuch as
neither Of the latter two has been given a
sufficient trying out in fast company. 1t
may be that both possess big league cali
ber, but that fact will have to be deter
mined later. To outsiders 1t locks as
If Baker and Barry would have to go
some to keep Eddie Collins on the bench.
That Harry Lord will play third and
Wagner short has been settled at Eoston,
but there will be a fight on to decide
whether Niles or Mcconnell will play sec
ond, and Danzig or Stahl first base. Ac-
cording to all reports this Portland won
der. Danzig. is the greatest youngster
ever, and j. Garland will sure have to
hump some to land the title Of regular"
As for Niles, he may be classy batter.
but Mcconnell can show him lot about
playing the keystone sack.
New Yorks infield is only guess at the
best. It Is liable to be any one of a dozen
combinations. Chase. Gardner. knight
and Austin look possible and might be
the winning squad.