New-York tribune., 1912-01-16
\ BASEBALL PROPHECY
Ty Cobb Picks Detroit to Win
American League Pennant.
GIVES HIS REASONS, TOO
Hard Hitting 0utfelder Does
Not Count the Yankees
as Dangerous.

Ty Cobb. who is rapidly rising 10 the
heights attained by Chubby Charlie Muir
pl,y and Horace Fogel as talker, refuses
20 concede the American League rennant
Of 1912 IN the Athletics In fact. he is un-
willing TO admit that the present holders
Of the worlds championship will have even
an edge on the Detroit Tigers this season
lie saws the two Will run along together
in the coming race. Ty relieved himself Of
this prophecy the other day. when he took
occasion TO announce how the teams OF the
league will finish. The great hitter does
not seem 10 be enthusiastic over the
chances of the Yankees, even With Wover-
ton at the helm and stated that, in his
opinion, New York, Washington and st.
Louis would not do a great deal 20 disturb
the eauaninity OF the other clubs
Tyrus thinks that the race will he be-
tween the Athletics and the Tigers once
more, with the margin in favor Of the
Tigers The Boston Red sox, led by Jake
Stahl and having O'Brien and Wood in the
box, will run next, while the Chicago White
Sox are dangerous lie says Ed Walsh Is
a wonderful pitcher, and can oyershadow
two or three men on any other team. Ad-
mitting the strength of the Cleveland out
field, Cobb considers that tine youth and
inexperience of the Maps will initiate
against them. and that they will not be
able TO finish in the first division. The in
field is uncertain, and 1t will take at least
q year or two 10 get team in Cleveland
which will perform consistently
In comparing the Athletics and the Ii
gers, Cobb says Detroit has better catch
er, pitchers who are young and coming
while the Athletics twirlers are getting old,
and a stronger cutield He corcedes the
superiority Of the Philadelphia team at Sec
ond and third bases, but declares that the
Tigers can show even strength at short
and frst.
"stanage is the best catcher in the coun-
try" says Ty "and has it on Thomas and
Lapp, although these men are capable re-
ceivers In taking up the pitchers, / would
pair Bender with Mullen, Plank with Dono-
van, Summers with Coombs, Morgan with
willsH. Covington with Krause, Danforth
and Martin with Mitchell Works, Dubuc
and Laftte." He added:
Bender can pitch only limited number
Of games and Connie Mack is compelled TO
nurse him along. II Mullen had had as
easy time as Bender last season he would
have made as good record. Plank and
Donovan are two twirlers who have been
In the game a long time. Plank had
splendid record last year, but II was due
largely 10 tho fact that he had a strong
hitting team behind him TO score lot of
runs He was hit harder than ever before
last year Donovan has had only fair sue
cess during the last two seasons, but has
taken good care of himself, and look for
him TO be as strong as Plank this year.
Wflett and Summers are two young men
who can hardly be expected to have an
other season 20 poor as the one last year,
when everything broke wrong for them.
We are counting on them to do great work.
"Coombs should be good again. unless he
suffered more Of strain in the worlds
series than is generally supposed. But he
has been overworked in the last two sea-
sons, and this is bound to have Its effect In
time. The strong batting Of the Athletics
helps him a lot Morgan is erratic, and
with Paddy Livingston gone, will not be as
dependable. Then he is likely TO put one
Of the catchers out with wild shoot. Dan
forth looks like a fiashy pitcher. but may
develop, while Krause lacks strength.
Detroit can offer Covington. who pitched
great ball for us last year: Works. who is
a world beater one day and a cinch the
next: Mitchell, who has the makings OF
good southpaw and LATTE. who is improv-
ing, and Dubuc.
"Gainor is as good hitter and better
fielder and base runner than McInnis. Ed
die Collins stands supreme at second, but
Bush and Barry are on a par. They are
the best two shortstops in the country.
While Barry may hit better, Bush is a hard
man to pitch to and can cover more ground.
The Athletics naturally have II on US around
third with Baker. but in the outfeld all is
In aSyor ~ tho TigarS -