Omaha daily bee., 1912-01-07
ATHLETICS PICKED TO WIN
Chance Says They Are Invinoible
for One More Year.
SAYS MACK's MACHINE PERFECT
First Base IN the Only Place Open
TO Question, lie Asserts, Though
lie DIdn't see McInnis
PInv.

Play.
CHICAGO. Jan 6.-That the Philadel-
phia Athletics are invlncible for another
year, and possibly two Is the belief OF
Frank Chance, winner OF four National
league pennants and two worlds cham
pionships. Chance subscrIbes to this be-
lief His statement Is unique IN that, so
FAR as known he is the first National
league manager TO voluntarily recognize
the superiority OF the American league
leaders.
This, however. Is as far as Chance Is
willing to acknowledge the superiority OF
the younger organization. He does not
believe that the results Of the several
post season contests aside from the
worlds series, served TO give a true lire
on the actual strength OF the competing
clubs. In this he unquestionably Is right
to a certain extent. For instance, not
even the veriest base ball tyro believes
that the st. Louis Browns are the Equals
of the st Louis Cardinals, and yet the
former won in the post season series be-
tween these clubs.
Viewing the question from another
angle, a majority Of base ball experts
agree that Cincinnati, while really having
one Of the best clubs In the league, as
far as individual ability Is concerned.
really did not figure TO win from Clcve-
land in the Ohio state championship series
on the form which the Reds displayed In
the National league race, and yet Grlf-
fith's men turned the trick.
American League Faster.
Laying aside prejudice and professional
bias, the dope" would seem to indicate
that the American league Is a shade
faster than the National. but the differ
enco would be only barely pcrceptblo In
n full seasons play, and In all probable
ity the conditions viii be exactly reversed
two or three years hence.
Chance is sincere In his estimate OF the |
Athletics, and gave his opinion regarding |
them freely. lie does not harbor the |
slightest III feeling toward Mack and his
team. despite the decisive trouncing |
which the Cubs experienced at thch
hands in 1910.
you ask wherein lies the great
strength of tho AthleticsY' said Chance.
repeating the question which had been
put to him. This may best be answered
b. saying that the Mack machine really
-nas no glaringy weak place In Its lineul
First base Is the only position that is
open to question, and ] am not qualified
10 pass on that for the simple reason
that I did not have an opportunity to
see MeInnis in action. II he is as good
as claimed. the Athletic infield practically
IS without a flaw. Davis, OF course,
slowed down, as shown by Mack's will
ingness TO allow him to go to Cleveland.
but nc managed TO fill the bill in the
worlds series.
|
have increased the effectiveness OF the
Athletics In tho series with the New
York Giants is problematical but 'stuffy'
certainly made a fine and dandy record
during the regular season.
Athletics Wen Rounded.
Mack has n fine pitching staff. his
outfIeld has shown it's ability to deliver
tho goods, while the catching force has
demonstrated that Il Is good enough for
all practical purposes. In short, tho
Athletics are a well-rounded base bali
machine, and 1 believe that they are In
line for another worlds championship and
possibly two.
Returning to the Athletic pitching
staff I regard Bender as one OF the
best beavers which the game has pro-
duced. while Coombs won from us every
time he started on 1910 no was hit hard,
but there is no discounting his ability
I'm my opinion. II will take from one
20 three years for the National league
10 develop team which Is capable OF
wrestling the worlds title from the Attn
letics Most OF McGraws mainstays are
corners, and New York should have a
grand team two years hence. In fact
II is possible that this is the team which
eventually win take the measure OF the
Athletics. Although In the process OF
rebuilding, we expect 20 be up In the
race ourselves. while Pittshurg will bear
Watching. Fred Clarke always has his
club up IN the race. He has been fortu-
nate In the selection OF his pitchers, and
IL o'Tooie performs up to his advance
notices the Pirates win have TO be taken
into consideration when Il comes TO max
sng calculations"
Chance says that no major league club |
can hope TO win more than four penIhnts |
while In a majority OF cases three will |
prove TO be the maximum. This is easily |
explained 1t takes from three 60 four
years to build pennant-wlnning club, |
and once a team is brought up to this |
standard, Il Is only "A question OF three |
or four years until the players begin 20
slow down. This may DO almost im-
perceptlble. but becomes apparent when
Il comes to summing up results at the
END OF the season. and the manager sud
denly finds himself up against the prop
Osition Of rebuilding the club. This is
the situation which Chance now faces.