Evening journal., 1912-10-08
WORLDS
SERIES OPENER
Teams in Fine Fettle for First
Battle on Polo Grounds
Today
WOOD AND MATTHEWSON
TO DO TIE TWIRLING
PROBABLE LINEuPs.

GIANTS. RED SOX.
Snodgrass. II. Hooper, RI.
Doyle. 2b. Yerles Oh
Becker, Of. Speaker, CT
Murray, r. Lewis. II.
Merkle, 1b. Gardner. 3b.
Herzog. Sd Stahl, 1b.
Fletcher, ss. Wagner, IS.
Meyers. Cady, c.
Mathewson, p Wood, p.
Narquard. Collins.
Tesreau. Bedient.
Umpires-Klem and Riglcr. of the
National League; OLoughlin and
Evans, OF the American League.
BY The United Press.
NEW YORK. oct. Sit was gen
erally regarded as a case OF "shut
your eyes and take your choice, "
when the New York Giants and the
Boston Red Sox met this afternoon
TO play the opening game of the 1912
Worlds Champion Series. Experts
who had been figuring on the com
paratiye strength of the two teams
since ii became apparent weeks ago
that they would fight for the title,
arrived at the conclusion finally that
only two points were left on which
TO base the selection of n favorite.
One point Of vantage was allotted
10 each team The Giants possessed
the confidence gained by participa-
tion in last years worlds series. The
Red Sox were favored because they
outgamed the Giant-rilling Athletics
shrough a long. hard season. Aside
from these two points. there was
thought to be little choice, the two
teams generally being regarded as
evenly matched.
Examination OF the two teams
through their records and through
scientific study, failed TO produce a
balance in favor Of either. The
Giants, according to averages, pos
eessed superior hitting, base-running
and scoring ability, and the Red Sox
according 70 averages, were stronger
afield. but the difference between the
two was in each instance hardly ap-
preciable. Boston fans, for instance
contend, when the Giants superiority
IN batting average is mentioned that
the Red Sox were up against better
pitching than the Giants encountered
A more satisfactory method OF com.
parison was found in a close scrutiny
OF the play OF individual members oi
the teams.
Here again an even break resulted
Carrigan, OF Boston, is usually rated
a better backstop than Big Chic
Meyers, but Cady, who invariabl.
catches when Smoky Joe Wood works
is not valued as highly. A balance
obtains there. Wood and Matty, spec,
and skill, we're thought to be abou
evenly matched. Collins, though no
so brilliant as Marquard, was regard
ed as more steady and reliable Bed
lent, like Tesreau. a spitball pitcher
was thought to be more seasoned /
not so fiashy as Big Jeff
Merkle and Doyle. at first and sec
ond. were conceded to be as mucl
better than Stahl and Yerkes, a
Wagner and Gardner we're reckone
superior to Fletcher and Herzog. Tn
Boston intield as a whole was though
70 possess greater defensive strength
being Eteadier than the Giant -four
and the quartet being a more smooth
~ working mashine But the NeN
York infelders possess higher bat
ting averages than their Boston ri
walls. Again. a toss up.
A. for outhelders, Boston was gen
orally given the preference. Lewis
Speaker and Hooper form one of tn
most wonderful fielding trios that hs
ever played the game, according to al
critics. In addition they are goo
hitting bunch, Speaker especially be
ing a terrific swatter Opposed I
them we're to be Murray, Snodgras
and Becker. Red John Murray, q
times a sensational fielder and VI
cious hitter, was not 10 be heavil
banked on because of his tendenc
TO be erratic. At that he stands hea
and shoulders above Becker an
Snodgrass. Man for man and as
combination the Giant outheldeT
rank below the Red Sox gardeners.
Any advantage that Boston migf
have in actual playing strength wa
thought to be counterbalanced by IN
managerial ability of John McGray
the Giant boss. His generalship hs
always been OF uniformly high oi
der. and critics ranked him aboN
Jake Stahl Although Stahl aide
and abetted by McAleer, was recol
nized as an able general. and on
who could produce results.
Summing It all up, the two team
were regarded as about evenly mattel
ed as 20 real. game-winning abilit
Critics compiled statistics and reel
oned individual merit without reacl
ing a decision for either team. TT
question was an open one. and gues
work availed nothing. The who
problem seemed TO be one OF how Il
teams would act under fire. III
Giants. having been through OF
worlds series. were confident. II
Red Sox, having defeated the tea
that won, the championship from Il
Giants. we're likewise confident
To-morrow's game will be play
at Boston. the two teams spendil
tonight In New York and traVellii
TO the Hub tomorrow morning.
big reception awaits them.
II this series goes to six game
the count OF the fans will flutter aloi
the 100000 line, smashing all atten
ance records ever set This det;
WAS shown in the size of the advan
guard which gathered for the char
last night Beyond this there is not
ing to report until the kick-off boon
the brassie crashes into the pill a
the tires begin to careen along {
course.
Teams Rest Up.
The last hours before the big baseb
battle today between the Giants a
Red Sox found the American Leae
champions resting quietly in an up-to
hotel where they spent the night. On
one Red Sox regular isn't fit. Lai
Gardner, the star third baseiran, v
have to grip the ball with bis first a
second fingers and thumb when he sho