The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-29

It seems inevitable that our reception to the New York Giants will be damp one. But despite the downpour of yes terday Redwood field, so well formed is 1t. will be ready for the spikes this aft ernoon-provided the sun shines.
 According 10 schedule, the Barons will meet the yannigans of McGraw this aft ernoon and the regulars tomorrow. While the yannigans are not the regulars, their progress is not to be despised, and should they be headed today by Bert Maxwell the Barons will have their hands full in defeating them.
 John J. will accompany his regulars. Under his wing will be the wonderful performers who won the championship of the National league last fall, and who, a short time thereafter, went down in awful defeat before the superb pitching of "Chief' Bender and the phenomenal swatting of John Franklin Baker.
 Although the Giants proved themselves in another class from that in which the Athletics move, there is no counteracting the fact that their aggregation is one of the most formidable in the world of base ball.
 There are few better pitchers drawing salaries than the two who will face Bir- mingham players tomorrow afternoon Christy Mathewson and "Rube' Mar quard. "Chief' Myers is one of the best catchers in the world MerlIe, Doyle, Fletcher and Herzog compose a splendid jnfield. Deyore, Murray and Snodgrass make up an acceptable outfield.
 And there is always John J. McGraw, wonderful captain, who has always been successful as a player and as man. Ager.
 So when you consider it from every angle the Barons, in meeting the Giants this afternoon have an opportunity out of which, according to the renowned Sir Nigel of Loring. much honor and ad- Sancement might be obtained.
 The Giants are not the Athletics, of course, and they do not presume to be- but still they compose a pretty good team, as far as good teams go.
 Frederic Merkle was born in Toledo, and from the South Michigan league went direct to New York. He is chiefly renowned for having cost the Giants n pennant by failing to touch second He is the only man in the world to have accomplished that trick.
 Lawrence Doyle. captain, was born in Caseyvile. Ill.,, which place was named fn honor of the great and immortal Casey of Mudville fame. Doyle played in the Kitty and Three I leagues before going to New York. He claims to be less than 27 years of age. He is one of the Giants who played good baseball against the Athletics. Arthur Fletcher was born in Edwards vile III. He played with Dallas in 1907, | and from there went direct to the Giants. | He made one home run last season. Charles Herzog has had a marvellous career He was born in Baltimore and played two years with the University of Maryland. From the Tri-State league he went to New York and was sent to Boston. In exchange for Bridwell and Gowdy he was again acquired by the Ssiantsi He claims to have found John Franklin Baker. In the opinion of New York that fact is of little credit to him.
 
 Now for the outfeld.
 Joshua Devore was born in Murray City, Ind. He played with Meridian and went to New York He was turned over for development to the Newark club of the International league and soon re- turned to "Muggsy.'' He makes a trip each spring to Meridian for the purpose of receiving an ovation.
 Fred c. Snodgrass was born in Ven tura, Cal. which is no fault of his. He was signed by St. Vincents at Los Angeles and drifted as a catcher to New York. His hitting was so good, however, that he was played regularly in the out field. He enraged Philadelphia fans last fall by spiking Baker.
 John Murray was also originally a catcher He is a graduate of Notre Dame university and joined the Giants after the completion of his college course.
 The Giants pitching staff is composed of Christopher Mathewson. He was born in Factorywile, Pa. He played with