The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-11-23
1By Lack Rvder.l

(by JACK ftVueT.J
The American league race for next
four clubs as probable close contend
ers throughout the year. The younger
league put up a goodly battle this
year. but it was really settled In favor
of the Bostons long before the season
was over. AS early as h first OF
August the Red o were in such a
position that nothing but a frightful
streak of ill-luck could beat them
out of the flag. and consequently inter-
est was not maintained at a white neat
up to the very finish. While predic-
tions must always be taken at a dis-
count, especially at this time of the
year, when the playing season Is still
months away, still it is possible
tn done out an opinion on the subject
of next wears battle. which may have
to be revised later on, as changes de-
velop in the situation. but which can
he taken at it's face value at the pres
ent time.
It looks now as if the east will fur
nish two tirst-division clubs and the
west the other two. The eastern con-
tenders will undoubtedly be the pres
ent worlds champions and the Attn
letics. while the western brigade Will
consist of the Detroit Tigers and the
Chicago White Sox. The Bostons vii!
surely he in the fight. They are IA hit
ting and run-getting team which can
not be kept back for long at a time.
ALWAYS provided they do not meet with
serious injuries to some Of their star
players. They have tirst-class pitch
ing. with Joe Wood as headliner. and
he is one of the best in the country,
He is ably backed by such men as BE
dent. Charley Hall. Sue O'Brien anT
Raw Collins, making Il staff of flVt'
men which is we'll above the average.
The Boston iniield showed during thf
worlds series why it must be counted
on as a factor in any race. Though
the Giants evidently were a more a.-
gressive club and smarter in inside
play at most stages. the steadlness
of the Boston inner quartet and the
ability OF these four men to rise to
every occasion and to do their best
work in the pinches stamps them n
a crowd to hc seriously rcckoned
with. They went through the Ameri-
can league season without falterins
always out there putting up a Crane
defense and helping out their pitch
ers day after day with speed and
skill of the highest calihcr. They
continued this brand of playing in tho
big series and beat the Giants through
|thei rsuperior nerve and SteadlneSs III
tight places. They should not go
back much next year and so must be
considered A prominent factor in the
race.
Speaker Is n Bear.
Jake Stahl has 1t rattling good. ev-
ery-day sort of outtield. Speaker Is a
bear in center. playing Il wonderful
game every day. II always hard to
fool at the hat. iris plays the short
est center field of any man in either
league on account of his great ability
in going back after long flies. His
success in this line enables him to
play pretty close for los batters'
and he cuts off many Il Xxi leagucr
while missing practically none Of the
long drives. by playing close he is
nlways in a good position to throw
and he cuts off many ambitious run
ners. He is ~ wonder on fly balls and
n grand hitter. Speaker is the class
Of the Boston outiicld. but Lewis and
Hooper are also good men. and all
three can throw like shots. All in all
IL Is an outtield that Is hard to beat.
The Boston backstop work IL well
taken care Of by Carrigan. a wise old
head. M Cady. II %youngster. with
a marvellous physique for Il catcher.
who will learn IL good deal as time
goes on. This team may not he for
tunate enough to so through another
season without II slump as II did this
year. but 1t will always he up and
around there. 1t is too strong a clul
to figure AS anything but IL real con
tender.
The real choice for the flag mex
year. however, must fall on the Ath-
lctics. After the season of 1911. with
Its successful wind-mp. in which IN,
Mackmen played rings around the Gil