The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-14
Hal Chase Gives Athletics Shade
Better of Dope.
Great Baseball Derby Begins in
New York Today.
LUCK TO BE FACTOR
Muggsy Has Advantage OF Mack
on Coaching Line.
Believes Series of Seven Games
Will Be Required.

Hal Chase. most stylish of living flrsr
basemen. timely hitter, swift base run
ner and pretty handy manager OF the
New York Americans, Is the latesI
notable to kick in with prophecy on
the big series which is to start Satur-
day between the New York Giants ana
the Philadelphia Athletics. Hal rather
favors the Athletics. Here's what ne
says, in full. in the New York GLOBE;
1.-TWO marvellous aggregations repre-
senting the pennant winners of the Ma
tional league and the American organl-
zation. go to the mat on Saturday in
what I would call the Grand Baseball
Derby, known to the baseball fans OF
this country as the worlds series.
Both Teams Confident.
Which win it be, New York or Phila-
delphia, to win four out of the seven
games? Last season the family of the
keen-eyed Connie Mack had no trouble
in crushing the Chicago Cubs and win
ming four out of five games 1 have
talked with every member of the PEN
nant winners in the American league
and a majority of the Giants. and each
and every one is confident that their
team will put away their opponents.
7 think the coming series will be an
exceptional one and it would not sur
prise me if the decision went down 20
the seventh game I have made it my
business to make a thorough study Of
each player who will work in the big
set OF games am SOllS 10 COulpdA =
each player to the best of my judg
ment. but before I start want to say
that think the Athletics have a little
shade on the Giants and pick them to
win the great title
Even at First Base.
IT will start at first base. Fred
Merkle. the man who failed to touch
second, is no longer a 'bOnehead,' as we
call a player who does not do what he is
expected to right. think he is the
most valuable first sacker in his league.
His alI-round work in the National this
season has been remarkable also
want to say for Merkle that he must be
a player of the strong man considering
the slurs which have been heaved at
him since that famous day when he
failed to touch second and thereby lost
the pennant for McGraw's nine. Some
were of the opinion that McGraw would
fine him. but they tell me that he got
an increase in salary, and he is a much
Improved ball player.
Il think Merkle and AIcInnes are
very evenly matched when it comes to
the fielding end of the game. / also
think that Merlxle will win bases bet
ter than -Stuffy' and may hit better in
the big series, although McInnes IN
the American league hit for a better
average than Merkle in the National
MerEle is a player who strikes out a
couple Of times during the game, out
will come along with men on the bases
and break a game up with mighty
wanop He hits them hard McInnes,
might say is a newcomber. He is a
small fellow for a first sacker, but a
little fighter, and will be on the move
from bell to bell. So much for the
first Sackers.
Collins Better Than Doyle.
Now we viii move over to second
base where we will meet Larry Doyle.
captain of the Giants. and Eddie Col
Inns OF the Athletics. I am inclined to
favor the person who covers the key
stone sack for the Quaxers. I don't
think Doyle classes with Collins as q
fielder and base runner, although the
former is fast Collins will hit well
and SO will Doyle. It's a toss as to how
they will hit in the big games. Collins
was a mighty big factor in the smash
Ing of the Cubs last season He looks
10 have a shade on pure mechanical
ability He is one of the great players
We have In the major league today It
vviu be a pleasure to watch him work
when he is going at his best
ct think that Barry is the best short
rtop in the major leagues. He car
make Ali kinds of plays to the right
o the left and in deep field. and follows
ais up with good throws from AM