Evening star., 1912-12-24
BY J. ED. GRILLO.

Notwithstanding the fact that the
Giants defeat at the hands of the Red
Sox in the last worlds series was the
direct result of weak fielding McGraw
is very apt to start the next season with
identically the same team which won
the pennant for him last season. That
team was good enough to win first honors
in comparatively easy fashion last sea-
son. and he figures that it can repeat
One advantage which the Giants will
have lies in the fact that it is a well
seasoned team. The players have been
together SO long that perfect team work
is possible. Incidentally, the pitching
staff is expected to be better. Tesreau
should show improvement, and there is
no reason why Mathewson and Marquard
should not be as good as ever. McGraw
VIII, of course. try out several young
pitchers, one or two of which seem to
nave ability, but the chances are that
the bulk of the work will fall on the
shoulders of the same trio which made
the Giants victory possible last year.
1t is not an easy matter for a manager
whose team has won two consecutive
pennants to make changes in the team.
could be improved, but he does not be-
lleve In breaking up a winning combina-
t1op and is sure to leave his team intact
until the break comes which forces him
TO make some changes
Only in the event Of Coombs. Bender
and Plank pitching up to their best
form can the Athletics be figured as
having a chance for the pennant next
season Though strong hitting and bril-
lldht Heldlng team, it must have
strong pitching to win and it remains
TO De seen whether it will be blessed
with the necessary pitching. 1t can
not be overlooked that every one of
Macks seasoned pitchers has been
through many a hard campaign, and
sooner or later their arms are sure
to give away Plank is the veteran
OF the lot. and it must be said to his
credit that last season was one of the
best of his career. But they cannot
go on forever. With either one Of the
three veteran pitchers mentioned out
of form, Mack's chances will be slim.
though if he has consistent pitching,
he will have the strongest team in the
circuit.
ot1s Clymer who three years ago
was a member of the Nationals, will
be given his final trial in major league
company next season. The Cubs have
picked up Otis because of his splendid
showing with Minneapolis. and Evers
figures that he stands chance to fill
a regular position in his garden There
is. of course. great difference between
the strength of the American Asso-
citation and the big leagues, and
Clymer will probably have this fact
impressed upon him when the summer
rolls around. His experience may be
similar to that Of Cravath, who year
before last made a wonderful record
with the bat for Minneapolis. and yet
failed to hit 300 for the Phillies last
season. The difference is in the bat
terry work. The pitchers and catchers
are of much higher grade in the
majors than in the minors. and con-
sequently batsman's chances are ma
terially reduced.
Ad Wolgast has at last come out of his
shell and is making a noise like a real
champion. He has CHALLENGED Willie
Ritchie, his conquerOr, and wants to bet
$1,000 on the side. 1t is more than
likely that Ritchie will accept the propo-
Stuon so that the chances are this pair
will meet again in the ring within the
next six months.
The asking of waivers on Mike Donlin
by the Pittsburgh club is one of the SUR
priSes of the off-season. Donlin. while
no longer as fast afOot as he was a few
HI hot