The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-05
SPORTING NEWS AND LIVE GOSSIP FROM EVERYWHERE

There has been an impression in Bir- mingham since the announcement last fall that Manager Molesworth had signed Charles Messenger, who has always, fl seems, answered 10 the more uphonious Bob that the Baron outfield for 1912 would be about the niftiest that ever ap- peared beneath the skies of Dixie.
 If you place much dependence in demon speed, then the Baron outer gardeners will certainly please. Messenger is the fastest man in the world. Mowrey gets along so rapidly that one can hardly count his footsteps, and Jimmy Johnston, as everyone knows, is like a streak of gi eased lightning compared to the exer- tions of a frightened hare.
 The indications are that the outfield will be composed of the three men above mentioned. However, such is not cer- tanity The redoubtable Mcbride who. in spite of his miserable work in 1911, is a good fly catcher and an exceptionally good swatter, still has his finger in the pie. youngster who answers to Cock ran will soon be along. and he writes that he has so much goods that he is fearful that he will be bought by the all-star Philadelphia Athletes before the conelu- sion of May.
 Cochran, incidentally, will bring 10 Bir- mingham another bush league wallop of a 300 variety. He played last season for Bristol in the Appalachian league, and in 4 games hit .321. In the same number of games he made seven errors, which served well their purpose of making his fielding average resemble smoking lamp in Harlem.
 Manager Molesworth, who has played baseball for about II summers, intends at the present time to rule from the bench, and amble into the fray whenever time ly punch or bit of extraordinary exer- lion is deemed absolutely necessary.
 But in the spring the manager will get into condition just as if he were private In the ranks, and it might be demon- strated that his old ability to clout the oall and to catch the phere from uncom- promising angles has returned after a season of inertia.
 There is no doubt but that Molesworth
 
 other man in the league, and that he has been one of the best average htters this company has ever known. Therefore, should it be proved that last season was simply an off season with him, 1t would be unjustifiable on his part were he to re- tire. However, the manager is determined to he certain before he cuts loose either of the promising recruits at present at tached to his string.
 And then there is Iy1cBride. In 1910, he hit the ball at terrific gait, and made fine reputation which endured until the beginning of the spring of 1911. He is a good outfielder and a natural hitter Last season he did miserable and mex eusable work. This spring, however, he promises to return to old time form. s.
 Should he be successful in his intention, another complication will be developed. There is hardly a doubt but that normally Mcbride is a better hitter than either Johnston or Mowrey, and equally as good IS Messenger. Therefore, if it is shown that he can hit now as he could once upon a time, Manager Molesworth will find 1t difficult to turn him adrift.
 And consider Johnston. There is no doubt but that the youngster is a capable outfielder. He Is clever in judging flies,