The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-26
comment, Mr.. Astute statistician's con.
illusions are given.

More argument remains, however.
The Mackme are certainly 10 per cent
stronger his year than last Right
now the team Is playing in better
form than any team in either league.
Defensively 1T has shown that 1t can
stem a tide. and extensively every team
in Johnson's organization has felt the
~roughshod methods of the Elephants.
There is little reason to suppose that
Bender Will not be as good as he was
last year. and Coombs. though not eS-
pected TO do much last year against
the tricky Cubs. yet went in and won
every game he started. Dygert will
be missing. but in his place will DO
Krause. Morgan, Plank, Martin and
Danforth. the two last named being
recruits. Lefty Russell is not to be-
with the Ath:atics. and there is a
reason. Still more grist can be ground
from the same mill. The Athletics
will start the series after having gone
through a similar campaign last year.
They have experience. and let not the
fact be overlooked that this is going
TO mean much. Six of the present
Athletics were In the series with New
York in 1eo5-Bender. Plank, Murphy.
Lord, Hartsell and Harry Davis.
-
OF the Giants. Christy Mathewson
stands alone in world series expert
ence. Not another member of the team,
has taken part is such a battle. Mar
guard, the pride and hope of the New
Workers.. is practically a fedgeling-n
great pitcher, but lacking yet in this
stamina to carry him through tho
grueiing grind OF a worlds series. II
is a question whether he will be able
to stand the gaff, and many look for
him to soar high and remain aloft
long. Matty is getting along in years.
1t is doubtful whether he can go the
pace the way he did in 1905. when he
was nearly in his prime. Marquard's
greatest strength is his fast ball. HIS
speed. properly controlled, will I'M
doubtedly worry any team. But the
Athletics have Collins and Lord and
Hartseii and Oldring. all four hit
ting along the old Jennings lines, that
is, %chopplng at the ball, and against
this kind OF hitting speed counts for
little. because the success OF the batter
does not depend upon taking a full
swing at the sphere. Instead he hits
downward. OF course, where the bat
ter is used to taking the half circle
swing. speed means a great deal. for,
with the ball coming across as fast
as the RUDE can send il. there is little
chance TO meet it fairly.
a point which has been brought gu;
by other writer's is the fact that the
Athletics have a uniformly good hitting
ive men in the batting order are
flew men in the batting order are
nearly, If not quite. as dangerous with
the club as the men in the first divi-
sion. AS an illustration of this fact,
1t was pointed out that Oldring, bat
ting in fifth place. has scored more
runs than any man on the club. The
significance of this is at once appar-
ent to any one familiar with baseball,
and needs no comment.
Regardless of how one may read his
dope, the majority of the enthusiasts
are going to pin their faith TO their
favorite manager. Those who think
well of McGraw will back the Giants.
and those who believe in Connie Mack
will place their bets that way. Can
didly, this appears to be Il good plan,
because In its final estimate the con-
test Will be largely a battle of wits.
with McGraw and Mack the central
figures.
Final: 1t is advisable to. do your
own guessing.