Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-12
BY ]. ED GRILLo.

BY. ED GRILLO.
Special Dispatch TO The Star.
BOSTON. October 12.-By their victory
yesterday the Red Sox have paved the
way for a worlds title They have, Of
course. still two games to win. but they
will face Mathewson, who has had but
two days rest today and he should not
be difficult to solve. Then they will have
Wood to work against Marquard Mon
day, a condition which surely seems to
favor the Red Sox.
1t has been demonstrated that Joe
Wood is almost unbeatable when facing
the Giants He has won two of the
games already. and he is very apt to win
third. so that if one of StahIs other
pitchers can come through the series
should be over Monday night.
But of course. on what Collins and
O'Brien have shown, they are not to be
compared with Wood. The Giants may
beat either of this pair, although, OF
course. Mathewson is not as hard a
proposition if his last game is to be
taken as a criterion as either Marquard
or Tesreau. 1t would seem that victory
for the Red Sox today would almost as
sure them of a victory, for Wood can
come back Monday. But the two teams
seem so evenly matched that 1t would
not be at all surprising II this see-saw
struggle continued we'll into next week.
The only advantage the Sox have mas
been Wood. In other respects the teams
have compared well. the Giants making
up in hitting what they lacked in fielding
on one or two occasions.
McGraw refused to announce this morn
ing whom. he would pitch today. and 1t
was rumored that he might give either
Ames or Crandall a chance. though this
is doubtful. neither of these twlriers
~ IN 70
tant a game.
If it was left to the judgment of those
who have attended these games to select
the player who has been of the most
value to his team Heinie Wagner would
come pretty near getting a unanimous
decision. 1t has been the great work or
the popular shOrtstop which has Kept the
some most valuable fielding. but he seems
to have the knack of keeping his players
ON edge. But for Wagner the Giants
would have run away with the Sox- VI
he has made plays which nipped the
Giants rally in the bud. and his cover
ing OF the base on thrown balls has been
.sio best ever witnessed on ball field
Yesterday he gave an exhibition of
ground-covering that was marvellous.
There were several balls hit sharply right
past the pitcher that had all the earmarks
of base hits. but Wagner would pick
stopping to steady himself, throw out the
runner at first. His best play was on De-
wore in the eighth inning. for Devore Is a
fast man to first base. and Wagner, after
picking up his grounder with one hand
over second base had to throw while on
the run, and he barely nipped the fleet
footed runner.
If there is one spot where Boston has
an advantage. ii is at short field. Wagner
makes Fletcher look like a minor Lacquer.
Balls that Wagner picks up and makes
plays with Fletcher would never reach.
There is no doubt. of course. that the
Giants are not playing as well now as
they did earlier in the season There are
too many dollar marks on the balls for
some of them, and 1t is interfering with
their work.
Fred Merkle considered one of the most
brilliant youns first basemen in the league
Of which he is a member. has been dis
NAL failure in the present series He is
rot hitting to amount to anything, and
his fielding has been anything but up to
the standard. Although he got one hit of
CT Wood. the latter had him in the palm
eff his hand thereafter. striking him out
the last two times up and once with two
on the bases.
There was some doubt expressed when
Wood was announced as the pitcher as
to whether he had had rest enough
was not long until he. demonstrated
that he was again at his best He
was just as good yesterday as on the
opening day. Wood is game; this has
been proven. He is at his best in the
tight places and never seems to be
disturbed by any conditions that may
arise He works smoothly and is alert
to everything that arises while the
fielding of his position does much 10
help him.
The chances are that when the series
is over the National League will have
to admit that Wood is a pitcher Of
much ability.
II is quite a compliment to young
Cady that he is being used in this
series and incidentally upsets the
theory that team ought TO have an
old head in such games. Cady has not
made mistake in the games he p aye1
that was noticeable. He handled Woods
delivery well. can throw and has come
through with couple of timely hits
in the games he has taken part in.
This is virtually Cady's first year in
fast company. and 1t is doubtful il
there is another instance of record
where a first-year man has caught
games in a worlds series.
There have been more sensational
catches by outfielders in this series than
any that has ever been played before
Speaker Murray and Devore have all
been credited with some wonderful work
in this respect. but yesterday Murray
surpassed them all by making his second
circus capture of the series II was in
the fifth inning. when Hooper hit sharp
liner to right. The ball threatened to hit
near the top of the right field wall, and
there was apparently no chance for Muir
raw to reach IL. But he did, and pulled
il down with one hand.
The expected filing of the protest by
the players against the present system OF
dividing the gate reAe:pts of the series
did not take place. advertised. For
some unaccountable reason the players
did not communicate with the commission
on any matters yesterday. but 1t is sure
to come sooner or later. There Is of
course no chance for any concessions to
be made. The club owners are perfectly
willing to go before the public and let 1t
judge. When ball players have the op-
portunity to receive $1,000 for week :
work above their salary. II is hard to
see where they have any kick coming.
II the players are wise they will leave
we'll enough alone. for they appear to be
taking a chance of killing the goose
which lays the golden eggs.
1t took Larry Gardner several days to
get back in his batting stride. but now
that he has recovered II he is one of the
most dangerous hitters on the team. Yes
terday he hit safely twice and walked
once in four trips to the plate. and one of