Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-22

Every now and then the story goes the
rounds that NtcAleer intends to part with
Herman Schaefer. for whom. of course
any number of minor league clubs would
Immediately open negotiations. But Nc
Aleer is not apt to get rid OF the Ger
man comedian. for he is Of much value to
the team in more ways than one.
While Schaefer has never impressed
any one with his ability as an outfielder
barring Jim McAleer. who has repeated
ly said that with practice Schafer would
make a valuable man in the field. it may
be that he will be found i'm one of those
positions next season If none of the raft
of gardeners McAleer has on his list does
not come up to expectations.
With classy first baseman to fill it.
the Nationals would have rather high
grade fielding inf1eld next season. But
aside from Cunningham, there does not
appear to be much real batting strength
among the quartet which will fill those
positions. which urges the necessity OF
more hitting in the outfield to make up
this deficiency. If McAleer had an out
field which could hit in the neighbor-
hood of 300 his infield would more than
fill the bill. but he lacks that hitting.
and ii is sure to prove handicap for
pitchers. who cannot expect to have many
rurs scored for them to work on.
If McAlcer had two more hiEh-class
pitchers the additional batting strength
would perhaps not be needed for there
have been instances where weak-hitting
teams have won pennants. Chicago in
1906 had a weak batting team, but it's ar
ray of pitching stars kept it on top In the
race for the reason that it was only nee
essary to score a run or two to win
games.
1t is doubtful if there ever was team
which was so generally picked to win the
pennant at this season of the year as are
the Giants for the next National League
campaign.
Almost every, critic in that circuit picks
McGraws men to win the flag next sea-
son. and, Judged on the strength of the
team on paper and the brilliant showing
1t made last season, those predictions
seem well founded.
But, after all. much of the confidence
that is expressed in this team is based
on the fact that it has Christy Mathew
son to lead its pitching staff. There were,
of course. no indications last year that
Mathewson was not as good as he had
ever been, but there is an end to every
mans prowess. and Mathewson may start
on the down grade soon. Should this hap
pen this year the Giants would be de-
cidedly lucky to finish in the first divi-
sion, let alone aspiring for the pennant.
True. that same condition, to an extent
at least, exists on every ball team. The
Athletics with Collins or Coombs out Of
it might find it hard matter to hold
their heads above water Washington
without Walter Johnson might give the
and the White Sox without either Ed
Walsh or Doc White would not cut much
of figure. and so on down the line. But
none of these teams would surfer as Sc
we're a setback by reason of tile loss OF
one of their best players as would the
Giants should MathewSon show signs of
losing his wonderful ability as pitcher.
There is perhaps no one playing ball
who has tried harder 70 overcome his
OF hat George M
Bride the Nationals star shortstop, who
will be the teams field leader the coming
season
One frequently hears complaints about
McBride's position at the plate. His
straddle legs give the impression that it
is impossible for him 20 connect with
the ball with any telling effect. and yet
it was only after Mcbride had expert
mented in every known way that he
adopted that position, for he found HIM
self more successful when assuming that
straddled pose than in any other he could
conceive.
Had it not been that Mcbride displayed
great perseverance he would probably
never have been a major league bail
player. Always brilliant fielder. Nc
Bride failed to hold his own with either
Pittsburg or st. Louis in the National
League because Of his weak hitting. The
average player would have been dis
couraged after this experience, but not
so Mcbride. He experimental with and
practiced batting. with the result that
while he will never be a great hitter he
has improved himself fully hundred
per cent.
About every one who saw me bat
when l started out gave me advice"
said Mcbride, in speaking Of his hit
ting. Il tried every kind OF bats and
positions at the plate, but none OF them
helped me. l finally tried the straddle.
and l found that / could gauge a ball
better than in any other way. Curves
which fooled me when stood with my
two feet together did not annoy me in
the least when | stood with my legs
apart and did my hitting with the arms.
But while a fellow may overcome some
weaknesses. | am convinced that batters
are born, not made. There are but few
instances on record where a weak batter
has by reason of change in style made
himself a good hitter. Hitting seems to
come naturally with some ball PLAYERS.
You can pick the kids who can hit out on
the lots. and | guess / was not a hitter
when l was a mere boy"
Though his average is not among the
select SllgCerS McRride iS most ti,paI,