The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-02-19
GOSSIP BE GINS
IN BIG LEAGUES
Pennant Winners Being Picked
by Fans OF Every Condition
in Life.
GIANTS AND ATHLETICS
Detroit Has a Chance, but Cubs
Must Tighten Up to Win
in National.

Although tho first engagement Of
the diamond warriors is still two
months away, the baseball germ is
unusually active. and the bugs have
already begun n talkfest, which will
last from now until the middle of next
October. Dope on the next pennant
winners is being peddled out with
green trading stamp TO any one who
will take tho time TO listen. Usually
no stamps need be added.
Tho verbose tonsorial artist has
taboocd politics and the Canadian re-
ciprocity agreement to discuss the
qualifications of the mino league re-
selections already have the elusive pen-
nant nailed to the tlag-staf In the
home park. Bankers. brokers, doctors
and men OF all trades and professions
are minglinE the names of Chase,
"Matty," Bender and other celebrities
III business discussions, and the youth
of the country Is staying up nights
figuring out the numbe of grand
mothers and other near relatives that
can be sacrificed during the coming
season before the boss wises up.
Hike for Bnlnly South.
One Of he several reasons for this
chatter is the fact that most Of the
teams in the two big leagues have
started for their training quarters or
are already there, n it will only be
a few weeks before we begin to get a
live on the condition Of the veterans
and the ability Of the new recruits.
Then again there is no Jeffries-John-
son fight this year. for which let us
be About tho time thetteams
started for camp last year. everybody
was busy studying the dope of the big
fellows. and such a regular event as
opening of the baseball season was
almost overlooked. But this year there
Is nothing TO distract the bugs" at
5tention, and in the absence Of done
from the sport page he burics himself
between the covers of an ancient guide
book, and compares tho present stars
with the 8old-timers.
While the future Is too uncertain
to select any p%ennant winners, looking
over the records gives us a line on
the cams that will cut n big figure in
the race.
Cubs Must eight Hnrd.
1t is a certainty. that tho Chicago
Cubs will not walk away with the
flag In the National League race as
they did last The post-season
series with the Athletics disclosed the
fact that tho pitching staff Of Chances
h~SSIeSatlp WIS ueClueNly weak, II
If he hopes 30 capture tho ma in
1911. he Will have to strengthen con-
siderably. 'Three-Fingercd, Brown,
who was a marvel for many seasons,
was overworked last year. and lost
fourteen out OF the thirty.nine games
which he. pitched. while Reulbach,
another great pitcher, twiried but
twenty games. and lost eight out OF
these. King Cole Is the only pitcher
on the team that looks good for next
year. although 1t is possible that the
light training OF the winter may have
helped the others considerably.
Pittsburg is also in a had rut in re-
gard TO pitchers. Babe" Adams. who
created a sensation In 1909, fell far
below tho record IN 1916 Cannitz lost
more games than he won. and tho rest
did not make any exceptional records.
AS to fielding, the Pirates finished
right under Chicago in third place.
Fielding, however. is not the biggest
factorIn capturing a pennant, for last
year BROOKLYN had the highest aver
age, though she finished near the bot
tom of the ladder.
Hitting Is What Counts.
1t Is tho team hat can hit that
counts, and this fact brings the New
York Giants to tho front as possible
p%ennant winners, The Giants finish
ed in second place last year, but cap
tured fret horors in the batting aver
age. Manager McGraw has signed up
Continued on Third Page.}