New-York tribune., 1912-03-04


likely 10 make some noise under the lead
ership of Johnny King. but. everything
considered it does not seem possible ior
any of these teams to finish in front OF
the Giants, the Phillies or the Pirates even
though baseball is so uncertain.
The fans" IN Philadelphia are counting
on two pennants this year, and expect 70
have the world series all TO themselves
So far as the Phillies are concerned, they
are counting without the Giants, who VIII
be quite as strong as last year, II not
stronger. and the Pirates. who, on paper,
have been strengthened by Marty O'Toole,
the costly pitcher and Mike Donlin. the
hard hitting outfelder and once captain
of the Giants The Pirates were mighty
dangerous last wear. until the Giants
checked their rush on the last Western
trip. The Phillies. too held the lead for
long time. when accidents 10 Titus and
Red" Doom. the manager. and the sus-
pension of McGee caused them TO drop
back. A strong pitching staff is essential,
and the Phnlies are not lacking in this re-
spect. with Grover Cleveland Alexander
Chalmers and Earl Moore TO do the bulk OF
the work.
John McGraw, the keen eyed manager
OF the Giants. is working as never before,
at the training camp in Texas. TO discover
a player or two among his recruits who
will aid him in taking the field with an
even bolder front than last year. One more
dependable pitcher is badly needed TO help
out Mathewson and Marquard, and hard
hitting outhelder, or two of them for that
matter would be acceptable. If Arthur Bues
could hit the ball as hard in real game
as he has been doing in practice. and If
Harry Mccormick proves that his eye Is
tust as keen as il was when he was with
the Giants three or four years ago Red
Murray and Sncdgrass will have 10 work
hard to hold their places in right field and
centre field, respectively. McGraw bases
his chief hope for greater pitching strength
in Drucke. VINO was handicapped by an
injury to his arm the greater part Of last
season. and Jeff Tesreau, who did we'll
enough I'm the International League last
year to justify another trial at the Polo
Grounds If both these pitchers should
ccme up TO expectations. the Giants would
have little II fear
Dtucke gave promise Of being second
Matty two seasons ago, and Wilbert Rob
inson, the Oldtime catcher and now coach
Of the New York pitchers, is on record as
saying that he is qualified to take his place
among the best. Big Chief" Meyers, who
has developed into one Of the best catchers
in either league, can be counted on to do
the bulk Of the work behind the bat. Josh
Devore is practically sure Of a place in left
field while the infeld is intact, with Herzog
at third. Fletcher al short. Larry Doyle at
second and Merkle at first Followers Of
the Giants have no reason TO worry over
the noise being made in Philadelphia and
Pittsburgh-not yet in any case.
II may be bit late TO comment on the
action of the National League in shearing
its president of some of his power at the
recent schedule meeting, but was struck
with a criticism Of this action which came
10 my notice last week. 1t had to do with
the amendment 10 the constitution which
provides that hereafter when a player or
manager is fined the maximum penalty of
500 and suspended for more than ten days.
he may appeal TO the board of directors Of
the league. which becomes the final
authority in deciding the measure of pun
ishment / do not know who wrote the
criticism, but it appeared in The Phila-
delphia Record" and the text of it follows;
This move will kill the moral effect OF
the punishment meted out TO Sherwood
Magee last season for that brutal attack
on Umpire Ftnneran. Now the ball play
ers know that they have only ten days
SUSPENSION at most TO fear from Lynch. so
the quiet that was so marked after the
Nagee incident last season may be expect
ed to be broken, while the rare sport OF
umpire batting can again be resumed
with reasonable certainty that nothing
worse than a short exile TO the bench will
be forthcoming II Is step backward, and
rroves that the National League club own
Srs are not honest in their demand for clean
ball II is evident that they have no desire
# sloGT
League, built on unity, and that the smH-
Jng glances thrown -Johnsons way are
prompted by fear rather than admlratlon,
The ofiee OF president IN the NatlondI
League never meant much more than sec
retary and chief of umplres, ana now II
means a little less than II ever die before
T.vnch can impose small fines and order
sbort suspensions, but nothing more
selfish interests are interfered with II he is
allowed 10 exercise much power. AS d re-
suit National League games are maTkeo py
wrsneling differences not warranted by the
PLAY In the American League Johnson
word IS law This is fully understood by
the PLAYERS by the unpires and also by the
MANAGERS, with the result that no one at
fenpts to take advantage OF any occasion
80 kick UP a disturbance: The play can pc
as gfngery as the ball players like, but no
morse play IS attempted with the umplres
or with the spectators. That IS one reason
why the American League has grown so
prodigiously
Tho writer evidently believes that base
Nall can be better served by government in
,bf form Of an absolute monarchy. Per
sopallv. am democratic enough to believe
a. republican form OF government, with
the right ~ all times 70 an appeal. l am
ystg6ed that Thomas J. Lynch, president
of tho National League. would not take un-
due advantage OF the power TO punish.
believe also that il IL is necessary for him
10 enforce discipline beyond the limit, in
the way OF punishment, OF that prescribed
hy the constitution, in nine cases out Of
ten the board of directors would uphold
him It IS true that baseball players as a
class must be governed with an iron hand,
hut I e owners. who have most at stake,
would have 10 be mighty shortsighted II
they did not appreciate the necessity for
discipline and stand ready, except IN ex-
treine cases, to uphold their president Be
cause the American League owners see fit
20 grant heir president the powers of
car is 10 reason why the National League
owners should follow suit. There ia no
question here about which League is the
better Zoverned--the point at issue Is the
form OF government Mr.. Lynch still h-s
nmnIe power 10 enforce discipline, and so
far as car see the action OF the National
league In 10 way DESTROYS the moral effect
OF the punishment meted out 20 Sherwood
W0eee last Year
Connie Mack is wise and farseeing
manager One year ago he did not take his