The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-03

make a trip into Texas. The Kaws
town of 1000, about sixty miles north
of Fort Worth. March 20 has been
decided as the date to report at Tioga.
The Rourkes will report at Joplin
March IL and will practice there every
day Tor twenty-five days and will then
jump straight to Omaha and will play
week with American association and
major league teams
Denver, Col, Jan. S-Those who are
close to the Denver mana cement do
not BELIEVE that the Grizzlies of 1912
VIII be as strong an organization as
that which won the pennant in the race
OF 1911. Tho loss of Buck O'Brien and
of K. C. Hagerman are pointed to as the
reason.
Everybody knows of the phenomenal
record made by O'Brien, both before
and after his disposal to the Boston Red
Sox, and there are many who believe.
although Owner McGfll is not one of
them, that Denver could not have won
without the services of the premier
spitball artist.
The record of Hagerman because it
was made so early in the season, is fire.
quently overlooked. The fact remains
that 1t was Hagerman. not O'Brien, who
hrst gave the club it's start pennant-
To replace these men Owner McGin
has purchased Twirlers Girard and
Pfeffer, two promising recruits from
class organizations. He also has
purchased Outhelder Channel from
Mansfield, O., the man who. before he
broke a leg two years ago while play
ing with the New York Americans, was
looked upon as one OF the coming
youngsters Of the game on account of
his unusual hitting and base stealing
ability.
It is scarcely likely that Girard and
Pfeffer will be able to fill the places of
& ri Ia yeaTsf71 n
pears that the pitching staff will be
stronger than it was at the opening of
the season last year.
The death of his wife and his subse-
quent failure to report until late in the
year made the record OF Hank Ohm
sted a poor one. In 1910 he led the
Western League, and 1t is reasonable
to suppose, in view of the fact that his
the season OF 1912 will find him in much
improved form.
Bears Must Hit Better.
It is an interesting fact that Denver
did not lead the league in batting last
year. The absence of its two great |
indicates that unless Harris
and Healey are able to fill their shoes, |
Denver must show improved batting |
form in order to win.
Owner McGin recognizes this fact, |
and it is probable that if any changes
are made during the season they will
be rather to strengthen the team in |
this department than in the pitching, !
since the latter is by far the harder |
task.
Channel, replacing Gilmore in the |
outfield, will bring the average up |
slightly, making the entire outfield (the |
other two men being Beall and Cassidy |
sluggers batting over 300.
Denver fans have watched with close |
interest the numerous changes made in /
the league during the closed season, and /
It is the consensus of opinion that Lin |
coin, Sioux City. Pueblo and st. JOS |
sph are greatly to be feared. Des |
Moines, Omaha and Topeka are un- |
known quantities, but the indications |
are that they will be stronger than |
heretofore, and, at the very least, that |
they will tighten up the race consider |
ably.
Good ball players don't come high. |
Pitcher Hendrix of the Pirates, one of
the best looking youngsters in the
game, cost $3.50, which was railroad
fare from a Kansas tank town to Pitts
burg. Hendrix was a free agent when
Clarke grabbed him.-St Louis
Post-Dispatch.
Tyrus Cobb says that Buck O'Brien,
Boston's new pitcher, will be the best
hurler in the major leagues. Accord |
ing to the worlds premier batsmGn
pitcher he ever batted against. Year
before last when the Tigers were play |
ing in Cuba, O'Brien was down there. |
out no one saw anything in his work ]
that would attract attention. After the |
Tigers left the island, Charlie Carr |
and his Indianapolis team invaded Cuba. |
Carr also looked O'Brien over, but saw |
nothing in his work that would give |
promise. Carr did not even think /
O'Brien capable of making good in the |