The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-09

1 AAe pIeuIHIndry framing camp al
Augusta having been broken the Red,
White and Blues are the first team in
Ithe International league to announca
their definite batting order for the new
season.
They lineup as follows:
knox .............. ........ eCapt.) Pitcher
| meyer ..s........s.... ShortStop
| W1ckerham ,...sss..ss.......... Catcner
Hitchcock ..................Se second Base
DICKINSON Lett Field
IWilson ....................... First Base
Ballinger ................... Right Field
| MacNeagh .................. ..Thlrd Base
Nagel ...-.-..-............ Center Fed
OF course the team loses its old man
ager, who will play in a Bush league
across the water, Juggling with him the
big bat, that has made so many sac
rifice hits during the past season.
This year Manager "BilP' Taft was
chosen at a recent meeting of stock
holders of the club and given a four
years contract at an Increased salary
over last years manager. He has play
| ed national ball for nine years and was
manager and organizer of the Filipino
team in the Orient league after that
team had accepted a berth in the ma
jors, and later successfully reorganized
a Cuban independent team.
Sailor Meyer will play at short. He
is utility infielder because of his farnil-
iarity with all Of Uncle Sans sacks.
Farmer Wilson, at first sack, and
sailor Meyer are the only men held
over from last years team. The others
drew their release.
1t is generally supposed that Wilson,
who has held down the first sack for
the r. w. & BIS for IL years, was
slated for a release but the spring
training showed him UP in better shape
than ever, and on account of his ex-
perience he was retained.
Blackstone" Wickersham goes in be-
hind the bat. He has been playing
many years in the New York City
league, financed by August Belmont,
and managed by Henry Taft. brother
Of the present manager of the Red.
White and Blues. Those who have seen
lin saying that he is a remarkable find.
"Postman' Hitchcock has been show
ed up from sub on last years team to
the regular place at the keystone sack
and at an increased salary.
''PhiP' Knox, this years field cap
tain, will be remembered for his bril-
liant work behind the bat for the r.
w & BIS in 1901 to 1904, before he
back to the team with the new man
ager,a who places great confidence, in
him as a slab artist. In training his
familiarity with players assisted mater
tally in the selection of the new team.
MacVeagh. at the bat corner, was the
last member of the team to be signed.
This was only after a thorough try
out, when he was selected from a num-
her. of others with good minor records.
For a long time it was supposed that
Myron Herrick, the Ohio state wonder,
would make good in this place, but
outside pressure was brought to bear on
the manager which has eliminated the
Buckeye find from the running. Mac
Veagh made his reputation in the Chi
cago City league, where he has been
commanding a good salary.
The outfieId consists of Dickinson.
Nagel and BalIinger, who are entirely
new men. Dickinson is far better
known in the war field than in the
left field. Nagel of Missouri has made
himself famous locally by his brilliant
work in the State league. Rallinger
comes from the Coast league with |
good batting and fielding average. |