Evening journal., 1912-10-08
WORLDS
SERIES OPENER
Teams in Fine FettIe for First
Battle on Polo Grounds
Today
WOOD AND MATTHEWSON
TO DO TEE TWIRLING
PRORABLE LINErpS.

Merkle. ID. Gardner. 50.
herzog, 3b Stahl, 1b.
Fletcher, So. Wagner, IS.
Meyers, Cady. c.
Mathewsons p Wood, D.
MarQuard- Collins.
Tesreau. Bedient.
Umpires-Klem and Rigler, OF the
National League; OLoughlin and
Evans, Of the American League.
BY The United Press.
NEW YORK. Oct. Sit was gem
erally regarded as a case of shut
your eyes and take your choice"
when the New York Giants and the
Boston Red Sox met this afternoon
TO play the opening game of the 1912
Worlds Champion Series Experts
who had been figuring on the COM
parative strength OF the two teams
since Il became apparent weeks ago
that they would fight for the title,
arrived at the conclusion finally that
only two points we're left on which
20 base the selection of a favorite.
One point Of vantage was allotted
60 each team The Giants possessed
the confidence gained by participa-
ton in last years worlds series. The
Red Sox were favored because they
outgamed the Giant-rilling Athletics
Through a long, hard season. Aside
from these two points, there was
thought to be little choice, the two
teams generally being regarded as
evenly matched.
Examination OF the two teams
through their records and through
scientific study, failed to produce a
AANa NH.
Giants, according TO averages, pos
eessed superior hitting. base-running
and scoring ability. and the Red Sox,
according to averages, were stronger
afield. but the difference between the
two was in each instance hardly ap-
preciable. Boston fans, for instance,
contend, when the Giants superiority
in batting average is mentioned, that
the Red Sox were up against better
pitching than the Giants encountered.
A more satisfactory method of COM
Darlson was found in a close scrutiny
OF the play Of individual members OF
the teams
Here again an even break resulted
Carrigan, of Boston, is usually rated
a better backstop than Big Chief
Meyers. but Cady, who invariably
catches when Smoky Joe Wood works
is not valued as highly. A balance
obtains there. Wood and Matty, speed
and skill, were thought to be about
evenly matched. Collins, though not
SO brilliant as Marquard, was regard
ed as more steady and reliable Bed
ient like Tesreau, a spitball pitcher
was thought TO be more seasoned il
not so fiashy as Big JEFF.
Merkle and Doyle, at first and sec
ond, were conceded to be as much
better than Stahl and Yerkes, as
Wagner and Gardner were reckoned
superior to Fletcher and Herzog. The
Boston infield as whole was thought
20 possess greater defensive strength
being steadier than the Giant four
and the quartet being a more smooth
" working mashine But the New
York infelders possess higher bat.
ting averages than their Boston RI
walls. Again, toss up.
AS for outhelders, Boston was gen
orally given the preference. Lewis
Speaker and Hooper form one Of the
most wonderful fielding trios that has
ever played the game, according to all
critics. In addition they are a good
hitting bunch. Speaker especially be.
ing a terrific swatter Opposed &c
tiem were TO be Murray, SnodgrasI
and Becker. Red John Murray, al
times a sensational fielder and vi
cous hitter, was not TO be heavil,
banked on because OF his tendenc,
TO be erratic. At that he stands heaC
and shoulders above Becker ans
Snodgrass. Man for man and as
combination the Giant outfelderi
+ rank below the Red Sox gardeners.
Any advantage that Boston Nigh
have in actual playing strength wa
thought TO be counterbalanced by tn
managerial ability OF John McGraw
the Giant boss. His generalship ha
always been OF a uniformly high OF
der, and critics ranked him abov
Jake Stahl. Although Stahl aide
and abetted by McAleer, was recog
nized as an able general, and on
who could produce results
Summing 1t all up, the two team
we're regarded as about evenly match
ed as 20 real, game-winning abilitl
Critics compiled statistics and rech
oned individual merit without reach
ing a decision for either team. Tn
question was an open one. and guess
work availed nothing. The whol
problem seemed to be one of how IN
teams would act under fre Th
GlonNr. noftnb bttu AnlOuku vi
+ worlds series, were confident TIL
:, Red Sox. having defeated the tea
that won the championship from Ii
Giants, were likewise confident.
B To-morrow's game will be playe
:, at Boston, the two teams spendir
tonight in New York and travellir
to the Hub tomorrow morning.
big reception awaits them.
If this series goes to six game
the count of the fans will fiutter alor
the 100000 line, smashing all atten
ance records ever set. This detl
was shown in the size of the advan
. guard which gathered for the char
last night Beyond this there is not
ing to report until the kickoff boon
the brassie crashes into the pill a.
the tires begin to careen along {
course
Teams Rest Up.
The last hours before the big baseb
battle today between the Giants a
Red Sox found the American Leag
champions resting quietly in an up-toI
hotel where they spent the night. On
one Red Sox regular isn't fit. Lar
Gardner, the star third -bascnan, "
& have to grip the ball with his first a
second fingers and thumb when he sho,
Ii across the field 10 Manager Stahl. I
third finger. split and almost broken
the first joint four weeks ago. is bi
dagcd and taped TO tbs lftle finq
csrdner win be able TO pl<y his Segu