The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1911-10-13

SHOULD DEFEAT
THE WORLDS SERIES


have run more sacks than any other
club in the country.
But the contention is that they have
run the bases foolishly ut times, steal
ing third with two down and making
all sorts of moves that are frownCd
on by the orthodox and not calculated
in the ordinary course of events TO
gain anything in the way of runs If
opponents do not follow the steals
with errors.
In this contention II Is noteworthy
that with all of its stolen bases the
New York team has not scored nearly
as many runs as Pittsburg this sea-
son. The Giants have stolen over two
and onc-half times as many bags as
the Pirates, but the latter club has
chased more runners all the way
round This would serve to back the
assertion made by those who refuse to
give the Giants all that is claimed Tor
their base running. The argument is
that 1t Is a waste of effort and un.
productive.
II so it may not gain so much In the
coming series. Ira Thomas ia wise
catcher who will profit by any false
moves, and he will be catching Il COu
pie of crafty pitchers, who may let
few men on and who will watch those
who do get there. Under Mack Thorn
as has developed into one of the best
catchers and throwers in the country.
His accurate pegging last fall prevent
ed the Cub runners from offering
many sacks.
Mack will send into the worlds
series the best balanced club in either
league. 1t is not snowy, but it is a
consistent, evenly playing outfit.
Athletics Ought to Win.
After going over the real conditions
of the two teams an unbiased person
cannot help but select the Athletics
as winners of the series. They seem
to have everything in their favor. The
team has an edge in the backstopping
department and pitching; It's infeld
collectively Is stronger, and the out
field is better than that of the Giants.
They have the best batting team and
the advantage Of having a chance to
rest up and then tackle the all stars
to tune themselves up for the worlds
series.
To be pitted against a high class
ball team such as the all stars and to
be forced to bat against pitchers like
Johnson, Walsh, Ford and White have
furnished the greatest kind of prac-
tice, as after this sort of experience
pitchers of the ordinary type look de-
cidedly easy.
1t was so with the Athletics when
they faced the Cubs last year. They
had been batting against Walsh and
Johnson for nearly week, and when
they tackled the Cubs their pitchers
did not seem to have enough to fool
them, the result being thft the Ath-
letiCs did some very hard and timely
hitting in that series.
or course all this may sound entire
ly one sided to many fans, and On6
might think that the Giants chances
of winning We're hopeless. But such
is not the case, although all the dope
favors the Athletics. Baseball is the
most uncertain of all sports. Often
times clubs that appear very weak on
paper come through and wallop the
daylight out Of championship team
1t is argued that McGraw is a great
baseball general. Granted. But is
there any one better qualified TO
outline defense or attack than Cor
nelius McGillicuddy? There is no
gp1nnpn n
sport. that Mack is not familiar with.
Many of the plays and strategic moves
are of his invention, and If 1t comes
down to n battle in which heads are
to count Mack will not finish second
to McGraw.
The Giants must use offhand az
gressive methods, while the Athletics
will work every man 10 the limit and
get more runs out of hits they make
than the Giants, although the New
York men will probably score the
greater number Of total bases. The
Giants are not as well drilled as the
Athletics, but the chances are that
their style of play will please the fans
Comparison of Old and New Teams.
The Giants of 1905 were a scrappy
aggregation. They We're cocky from
the start of the season until the end.
1t was a case of bring along your team
and We'll trim 'em. Compare Bresna-
han, Bowerman, catchers; Matty, Nc
Ginnity, pitchers; Mccain, Gilbert,
Dahlen and Devlin. intelders; Donlin,
Seymour and Mertes with the team Of
today and you will find it more power
full in every way.
For the past month the Giants have
been playing beyond their speed and
naturally are keyed up to a high pitch.
When the men tackle Philadelphia
they will be playing on the nerves.
On the other hand, the Athletics OF
today are stronger than the team OF
1905, which was composed Of Schreck-
engost and Powers, catchers; Bender
Plank, Coakley, pitchers; Davis, Muir
ply, Monte Cross and Lave Cross, in
fielders; Lord, Seybold and Hartsel,
outer gardeners.