The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-01-05

SOAu 0oAHoA 10 q otOut CAdIHplOu OI
the 1911 Yankees. Maybe Honest
John" is sentimental. He used to be
a Yankee. you know. He played first
base for frank Farrell in the days
when the johnson circuit was trying
to gain a foothold in Gotham. Since
them he has been knocked about
enough to destroy the equilibrium Of
his allegiance. Wasn't ha the man
ager of the Cincinnati Reds as late as
1908? But Camel is entitled to a
hearing. He was, in his time, a big
league star. And within the past two
years he has led the Bronchos of
Rochester, to two successive Eastern
league pennants. But no one loves
better than Joe to fan, and here is
the line Of dope he is handing out.
THE race next year," declared
Honest John. will be between the
Athletics and New York. That is, of
course. II Chase lives up to expecta-
ttons. Chase is one Of the grandest
ball players that ever put on a spiked
shoe. He has winning personality
and temperament. But that does not
necessarily mean the ability to lead.
He is green at the managerial end of
the game. believe and hope that
he will make good. But he has to
show.
Now he comes into possession of
one OF the grandest prospects that a
new major league general ever faced.
If he fails believe he will have him
self to blame. only wish that be-
fore l shuttle off the coil, could
tumble into something as soft. I'd
write my name with the heroes of
major league achievement
Blair Big Help to Yankees.
""The Yankees Of 1911 should be at
the start just ten per cent better than
the Yankees of 1910. Waltes Blair
will axe that difference. I'm throw
ing out everything in the calculation,
too. I'm not taking into account in
the least the improvement which the
team must have experienced by work.
Ing together for an entire season.
base my prediction on Blair alone.
He'll be the finest catcher in the
league the coming year, or I'll miss
my guess badly. I've seen all sorts
lof catchers In my long experience, but
II have never seen fellow who looks
so good to me as this same Blair. I've
played against Killing, and when King
was at his best Johnny couldn't show
Walter any tricks. Certainly he
couldn't at backstopping or throw
Ing. And don't believe he could at
hitting. either. Why. that fellow Blair
lis Of the George Gibson type. He
gets better the more he is worked.
He has to work great deal to be at
his best. He can hit almost any kind
!of pitching. He can handle any sort
LOT. pitching. Spitball twirling is his
specially. Why, he could catch
George Mcconnell from a rocking
chair, and no one throws a meaner
spitball than the Human string
Few big league clubs have ever
annexed brackets without at least one
handy catcher. Chase will have two
to begin the campaign. They tell me
Ed Sweeney was as good as anything
in the American league last year.
respect Sweeney, for have seen him
work often. But III make a bet right
now that Blair beats him next year.
Chase however. is fortunate. In
Sweeney and Blair he will have two
husky backstops able to take any
amount of work and like It.
Pitchers Promise Well.
"But. getting back to the subject of
the Highlanders and their pennant
chances. Frank Farrell has a bunch
of speedy young hustlers. He has
the most promising pitching staff in
either league. Russell Ford is by far
the best twirler in his company. He
is a young Christy Mathewson. That
lis the highest compliment that could
be paid him. Quinn, Warhop,
Vaughn, Hughes, Fisher and Caldwell
look good to me. Duke Farrell, who
will coach the young pitchers in the
south next spring. will surely bring
out all that is good in. the recruits.
That assures the. Yankees excellent
battery material. With competent
batteries any team has an ace in the
hole.
Have you ever noticed that most
winning teams have crackajack
shortstop? Barry. of the Athletics,
does not shine as he should simply
because he played beside the phenom-
email Eddie Collins. Hans Wagner of
the Pirates, is striking example.
So is Joe Tinker. Of the Cubs. 0wnie
Bush, of the Tigers, will furnish an
other illustration. Now, in Jack
Knight the Hilltoppers have the class
Of the league at short field. No one
can field better than the tall school,