The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-16
TEAMS ON EDGE
FOR SECOND GAME
Coombs and Marquard
Prob sbly Will Oppose
Each Other.
ANOTHER PITCHING
DUEL IS EXPECTED
If Giants Win To-Day, Cobb
Thinks 1t Will Mean the
Championship = But Athle-
tics Are Going Into Fray
With Greater Deterlni-
nation.
BY rY. COBB.
Especial 10 The r,mes.D,sna,cb I,


Philadelphia, Pa, October 15.-The
scene shifts now In the grand struggle
for the worlds baseball championship
of 1911. and the second and very i'm
portant game between the Athletics.
American League pennant winners, and
New York. National League champions,
will be staged at Shibe Park. IN the
Quaker City. This will give the Mack
men the advhntage-if such 1t may be
called-of playing before their home
people and on the grounds which they
know. and call their own.
There seems to be some question
about the weather. But L think 1t will
take hard rain previous to the game
to cause a postponement. 1t probably
will be cold, the weather sharps gay.
but that is to DC expected during
series of games in October. and will
handicap both teams alike.
Duel VIII BE Sensational.
Jack Coombs. the pitching hero of
the 1910 worlds series. when he beat
the Chicago Cubs three times will un-
doubtedly be the Athletics pitcher. II
is i safe guess that New York Will de-
pend upon ''Rube- ...-:ai. card, McGraw's
leit-hander. And that duel. wniie not
likely 10 be as sensational the one
between Bender ana Mathcwson on SAT-,
urday in New York, will re hard
fought, think.
To-morrow's game will have big
bearing on the ultimate result OF the
1911 series. AS the writer stated after
Saturdays game in The Times Dis
patch. should the Giants win the sec
ond contest IL would mean that they
would probab bly, win the championship.
But II the Athletics are victorious II
VIII revive their confidence and put
them on q par with New York. one
tuste OF the sweets OF victory Will
whet the appetites OF the American.
Leaguers and start their bats to work
IS of yore.
The Athletics need to do some bat
ting tomorrow. a team so powerful
extensively VIII surely get going, and
while 1 do not know just what the
secret OF Marquard's success is, he has
to be wonder 10 prevent smashing
drives from Athletic bats. when the
team which will take the field is con-
sidered. Barring Harry Davis, who
played in but few games during the
season. and Jack Barry who is al
ways dangerous. there will be seven
men playing who batted over 800 dur
ing the 1911 season. OF course, that
includes the catcher. Jack Lapp and
Coombs. the finger. And that bunch
does not mind southpaw, either.
Inheid Up TO Form.
Harry Davis played a grand game
yesterday. and may be 4 bigger factor
than lots OF people thought in the
series. He soused every bali hard and
1t was his single which scored the .Ath
letics run. His fielding was all thas
could be desired and he was as steady
as a clock. The intield, l am confident
win be up to form when the teams take
the field tomorrow.
1t should be remembered that the
Athletics have d bunch of shrewd
thinkers. In the conference which has
been held. they have Undoubtedly been
able TO point out and lay plans to cor
rect mistakes made yesterday. They
have not quit because OF defeat. but
are going into the fray with even
greater determination, because they
know how necessary IL is TO win.
Let me say. though. that the Giants,
with the shrewd McGraw to do the
thinking. nave undoubtedly discussed
the situation. too, and have laid some
plans They lost that nervousness ap-
parent when they took the field as
yesterdays game went along. and they
saw that they had q chance for victory.
And confidence which has possibly
come with the one victory, VIII make
them a team of aggressors III the sec
- nd contest.
Eyentful Series in Baseball.
There is no reason. despite the first
result. to change my original opinion
that this series of 1911 will be an event
full one in the history of baseball. The
Athletics still have two strong cards in
Coombs and Plank And there is .
chance that we will see another SEN
satonal battle between those masters
of the pitching art, Bender and Ma
thewson. Since 1t might be said that
the breaks of the game" lost for the
wonderful Indian in his first appear.
ance, he might be the fortunate man
the next time Would 1t not be grand
sight to see the crafty workman Ben
der, and the conservative Mathewson
meet later in contest upon which tne
title of the worlds champions hinged?
1t is quite possible.
While there is nothing defnite as yet
If the strained tendon which caused
Merkle, the New York first baseman.
to go lame late in yesterdays contest.
Devlin will probably replace him at
first Yet McGraw will hardly keen
AIerkle out unless he knows that he
is unfit to do his part in the game
New York has tasted first blood, and
the National League champions and
their followers are very happy to-day
But should Coombs pitch and win to-
morrow. philadelphia will taste second
blood, and that Isl iust about the same
thing. 1t will again start the teams
Z on an equal basis In the wonderful
otruggle for the honorc. Wait and see
what happens!