The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-14
BY "rYr COBB.

Copyright. 1911, by the Press Co., all
rights reserved.)
New York, October 13.--The big bat
tie for the worlds baseball champion
ship-a battle which Will undoubtedly
go down in history as the most spec
tacular ever waged-starts IN New
York tomorrow. and in every nook and
corner in the United States, the one
question Is Who will VIM" Who
will win? There is much back of that
question. Two teams, the Athletics,
American League champions and the
New York Giants, pennant winners in
the National League. are keyed up to
the highest pitch. awaiting the word
play" from the lips OF an umpire That
VIII start them in the struggle for the
baseball supremacy. And believe me,
John McGraw, have determined to win
that opening game IL It Is possible.
Pitching Is Potent.
Since it Is generally agreed that
pitching is the potent factor in a
worlds series. the answer to the ques
ton. Who will VIM" seems to be
Found in another query--"Who will
pitch?" Both in Philadelphia and New
York--the big centres of interest
fans" arc trying to dope out" the
pitching selections. believing that is
the key TO the result Of the contest A.
though there Is no certainty about the
pitching selections, l am confident that
Chief" Bender. the famous Indian.
Will be the Athletics choice for the ar.
Ing line tomorrow. and Christy Ma
thewson. New York's star Will twirl
the National Leaguers' fight.
1t is unnecessary to say that the
fans" who are fortunate enough to
sec the inauguration OF the 1911 world S
series. will undoubtedly see battle be-
tween two great pitchers l am in A
position to say. having batted against
Bender in the series OF four games be-
tween the All-Stars and the Athletics,
that the Indian never looked better
Tie had perfect control, his curve ball
and his fast one seemed to obey every
wish. and he was able to change his
pace in way which won him the in
itial conflict with the Chicago Cubs
last season, and has brought him vic
tory in many other important games
Bender 9 re does look fit for the open
Ing game and seems to be the logical
choice.
OF course, l am unable to say much
about Mathewson. have given 1t
as my opinion that the swinging tyne
of batsmen on the Athletics should be
able to hit "Matty," but baseball play
ers generally agree that he has been
great pitcher. and 1t must be ad-
mitted that in one game man OF his
ability and reputed courage might up
set the dope of the man who knows
Mathewson and his capabilities much
better than l do.
VIII he Spectacular.
There is just this much TO be said.
from my observation a pitching battle
between Bender and Mathewson Is
going to be spectacular, II both enter
the fray In tip-top form, and they
probably will be right, for both are
twirlers who will not tackle the Job
unless they feel confident OF victory.
if Bender should not be right Coombs
would probably he tho second salec-
tion, with Plank as third Again 7
want to say that the All-Stars found
those two Mackmen to be in grand
shape. and ready to do battle against
McGraw's Giants tomorrow or in any
following game.
There has been much discussion
about McGraw's choice. 1t has been
said that the Giants might start the
important series with Marouard. the
southpaw. on the pitching knoll The
argument is that "Ru5e" should he
able to do his best on the Polo
Grounds. with the majority of the
10000 fans" supporting him Loyalty.
However, to the close student OF base
ball. 1t would appear that McGraw
would select "Matty." He is the star
who has been tried In previous mpor-
rant battles; and since the Giants want
to win the first game. 1t would seem
unlikely that they would shelve MA
thewson the veteran for. the expert
ment. Marquard."
Right here I want to say that it
Continued on Eighth Pagc.)