The Washington herald., 1911-10-17
PLANK HAS BEST
OF GREAT BATTLE
Southpaw Effective at All
Stages of the Game.
BY WILLIAM PEET.

Philadelphia, Oct 16.-WashingtonianS
have seen Eddie Plank pitch many
a ball game but it is doubtful if
the Southpaw ever put up such an
exhibition in his life as the one
against the New York Giants this after
noon. According to the official scorers,
the National Leaguers reached him for
| five safe swats, while Rube Marquard
allowed only four, but nobody present
| could possibly say in all fairness but
| that Plank had the best OF 1t. Take the
strike-outs, for instance. The southpaW
| had eight to Marquard's four, and with
the exception Of the second inning, the
Giants never had a chance to score.
It was a case of Plank being just as ef-
fective against the Giants as was
Christy Mathewson against the Athletics
on Saturday.
The writer had a talk with Connie
| Mack shortly after to-day's game and
asked the taciturn leader OF the White
Elephants a few pointed questions, to
which Mack replied unhesitatingly.
81 thought you were going to pitch
Jack Coombs against the Giants to-day.
Why did you switch at the last min
Ute?" he was asked.
'Switch?" was the reply Why. I
never intended to work Coombs against
l.
Coombs can beat them any time in the
box and l am saving him TO go against
Christy Mathewson in New York to-
morrow. and We will in this game hands
down. That leaves me Bender to pitch
the fourth game on our own grounds
: Wednesday.
II doped it out all along that Plank
would be able to deliver. and the only
place where I went wrong was in figuring
that we would hit Marqusrd much harder
than we did. He is a better twirler than I
! thought, and certainly pitched magnif-
cent ball. but We got the most runs,
didn't we?" smiled the great manager;
"and. after all. that's what counts"
One rather singular feature of the bat
tie was the fact that neither side at
tempted to steal base. The New York
ers for the reason that after the second
inning only two men saw first base, while
only one of the White Elephants man
aged to scrape up an acquaintance with
the SACK guardians of the foe, and he was
Collins. in the sixth. who scored on
Bakers hOme-run drive.
George Mcbride Germany Schsefer,
Doc Gessler. and John Henry. of the
Nationals occupied grand stand seats
fanfcst in the BeIlevue-Stratford Hotel
prior to the game one member of this
quartet bet $500 against 800 that the
Mackmen would win the series. Mcbride
is probably the most ardent Philadelphia
rooter of the four. He said: Il am not
a betting man: never bet on a ball game
in my life, but If l ever wanted to bet
in my life it is right now. and I would
place every cent l have in the world on
the Athletics. That's how sure feel that
they will win
When it is taken into consideration
that Frank Baker a lefthand hitter, was
| able TO connect with one of Marquard's
shoots for home run, the theory that
| Iefthand batsmen are not effective
against southpaw twirlinS Is certainly
disproved The ball Baker hit was
| high curve. The batsman gauged it per-
| fectlv and caught the sphere on the busi-
| ness end of his bat.
II is estimated that 5000 persons at
| tended the game. It was a typical
American mob, amiable, enthusiastic,
and redolent of the breeziness and busi-
ness that characterize all multitudes
who congregate to watch warriors in
action in the greatest sport the skies
beam upon. The day was perfect in ev-
cry respect.
After the battle the writer talked with
Eddie Plank, the hero of the game, and
| the southpaw gave out the information
that the ball he pitched Meyers in the
second inning was a straight. fast one
over the heart OF the plate. II intended
TO walk the Indian on purpose" said
the pitcher, ''as two were gone and
Marquard is a weak hitter. Instead OF
q waste ball It cut the heart Of the plate
and the redskln picked it,
This is no doubt true, as Meyers came
to bat twice after the hit which scored
the Giants only tally and could do
nothing against Plank's southside curves.
McGraw felt keenly the loss Of the
game, and turned deaf ear TO all
newspaper men. He is still full of fight
and counting on working Christy Ma
thewson at the Polo Grounds tomorrow
in the third Of the series.