The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-17
REVIEW OF BANNER SEASON
 OF THIS LEAGUES HISTORY

and his team, supported always by the liberality in financial support and goon cheer of Rick Woodward, who owns the franchise, made wonderful fight. It Is probable that no other team of the cir- cult so beset by accidents and misfor- tunes and disappointmentsa would have finished In the borders of the first di7 vision. The Barons, therefore, in spi,e of the explosion in the New Orleans and Montgomery series, deserve as much cred 1t as one Is capable of giving. The fans of Birmingham, too, have shown their faithfuness and patriotism in the most expressive and material fashion. It Is safe to predict that Birmingham, though not half as large as New Orleans in point of population, and though New Orleans does win the pennant, and had the right of Sunday baseball playing-which was denied to Birmingham-will lead the league in attendance figures when such are compiled. Last season, as is remem- bered, Birmingham drew only 100 fewer people to its games than New Orleans. From unofficial figures 1t is indicated that Birmingham has drawn this season be- tween 10,000 and 20.000 more people to its ball games than last season. That Bir- mingham Is the backbone of the league, and that there would be no real baseball in the south without Birmingham, Is admitted by all the baseball writers or the circuit, though some do express them selves most niggardly in this regard, ana most begrudgingly-all of which, to some folks, is natural.
 In summarizing the work of the Barons this season, 1t develops that whatever success was achieved by them is due 70 the pitchers, catchers and infielders. The outfielders were off color, decidedly, in hitting and in fielding. The Barons' m field, however, did fine work and the nf base running and run getting of the lat ter, were the principal Baron assets on the offensive. Much credit, too. is due Jimmy Johnson, who in the short time be remained a Baron, did brilliant Of fensive work.
 Catcher Yantz, in utility role, was one of the chief Baron assets on the defensive. that versatile player being able to acquit himself creditably wherever he is played.
 Trough was the winning Birmingham pitcher. During the season he landed 20 games, and 90 per cent of those he lost went astray after the seventh inning. Maxwell did yoeman service up to the conclusion of the season when he dropped four games in succession, thus starting the Barons on the road to destruction. Maxwell had & very fortunate and a very unfortunate season He was in fine form for the greater part of the year and soon headed the pitchers of the league in games won. But he unfortunate ly pitched a ball against the head or Walker, Atlanta shortstop. which put that player out of business for the season and probably forever, and later saw Ben ton likewise dispose of Jimmy Johnston of Birmingham And then came his sale to the New York Giants. In raising benefit bonus for Walker, and in his nat ural desire to preserve his arm in order that he would run no risk of failing to
 l~~t. in the Southern league race, and his eff fectiveness at the same time. Maury Kent, obtained from the Chicago White Sox, also did fine service for Birming ham on the mound FoXen has been d winning pitcher. too and. matter of fact, leads the Baron pitchers in per centage of games won. v
 The spirit of the Barons has been of the finest variety. This was proved con- cusively in that week of the season wherein some local newspapers endeav- ored through a system of "knQcking' cleverly disguised. to disrupt the organiza ton. That they failed speaks well for the players and for the esteem in which the players hold Manager Molesworth. That system of knocking" Incidentally, which was a flavor in the tooth of the chronic individual who loves to kick man when he is seemingly down and out aroused the disgust of the better element Of Birmingham fandom to such an extenr that the effort proved abortive and in it's complete illustration, Manager Moles- worth emerged more popular than he ever before was. It resulted, too. in kindling the fighting spirit of Rick Woodward, who announced to Manager Molesworth his own satisfaction in the work of the team, and his determination to extend the sery ice period of Manager Molesworth.
 The season, as far as Birmingham Is concerned, was highly successful one. The team finished in third place, the fans had year of splendid sport and the club, it Is very probable, made a neat little sum of money. During the season base ball extended it's popularity over the en- tire area of the city. and It's clientele is more numerous today than ever before.
 To certain degree Birminghams suc- cess was shared by the other cities of the league That the sport was finer this year than in many seasons previous is proved in the fact that more players have been promoted this year than ever be- fore. By purchase and draft the clubs or the southern league graduated into the majors 29 brilliant players. And there remain enough still to guarantee con tinuation of the class of baseball which southern league patrons demand.
 The season of 1911 therefore. will go down in history as the banner season of the Southern league.