The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-10-07
BIG CITY SETTLING
OVER OPENING Of
WORLD SERIES
Winner Pickers Appear to Be
All at Sea
BATTLE WILL BE CLOSE
BATTLE WILL BE CLOSE
Experts Believe That Mathewson
and Bender viii Be Pitchers of
First Game.

New York, Oct. THE final act in
the baseball drama of 1913 will open
at the Polo grounds in New York to
day. when the New York Giants and
philadelphia Athletics meet in the
first game of the worlds series. AS
n climax to the seasons play the
struggle for championship honors
has surpassed all previous records
for interest and enthusiasm. Given
the whole-hearted support OF the
weather man, the series promises TO
establish new figures for both at
tendance and box office receipts.
The tense interest in the result
which prevails among the followers
of baseball throughout the country is
dine to an unusual sequence OF CIR
oumstances. The Giants and Athle-
ties have already faced each other
in worlds series tournaments twice
before and each has a title won at
the expense of the other. Conse-
ouently the contest which begins to-
day is the third and rubber series.
In addition, the two clubs appear 10
he evenly matched in playing
strength TO a degree not usually
found in worlds series contenders.
A comparison OF the players, posi-
lion by position, would appear 10 IA
yor the Athletics, but so far as neiu,
ing and batting figures for TINS anu
preyious seasons are available, ma
ioritv of the Mackmen are SHOWN
stronger than the Giants.
LAYING aside the element OF luck
and comparing the two clubs, posi-
tion by position the Giants are found
10 be stronger in the pitching ana
catching department considering the
staffs as a whole, while the Athletics
have the margin of strength on the
infield. Little II any advantage can
he said to exist so far as the outilelu
is concerned. This leaves the bat
ting and base running OF the rival
clubs as assets that must Inquire iarse
~ in the ultimate result. Here again
the comparison appears TO snow
close to an even break. me fhlla-
delphia players considered as
team are better hitters, while on the
bases the New York representatives
are from collective standpoint, fas-
ter and more frequent base stealers.
Much depends, therefore, on the
start or edge gained in the opening
game for in series wherein the hfst
four victories won in seven games
settles the controversy, even one
game lead is factor of advantage
which gives remarkable leeway in
unnQTnlgnln- IL
is this initial victory for when Do'h
McGraw and Mack have been plan.
ming for several weeks. The rival
managers will send their strongest
combinations into battle and fight un
iii the very end for the slightest van
tagc.
When all is said and done, it ap
pears 10 resolve itself into question
as to whether the Philadelphia Twill
ers can hold the Giants batters IN
check while the Athletics are collect
ing a reasonable number OF hits OIL
the New York boxmen. II they can,
another worlds championship should
be within the reach of the Athletics,
but Connie Mack's twirling staff is
not what it was two years ago, when
Inc NrllDlS We = utAFNAtA ANAA 6oAAte
oul of six. On the other hand. Nc
Graw has strengthened his artillery
i'm that Mathewson, Marquard. Tes-
rean. Demaree. Crandall and From
me 70 m n more formidable combina-
ton than Bender, Plank. Brown
Shawkey. Bush and Houck. To gain
the greatest advantage in this re-
spect will require some shrewd ma
nauvering on the part of both Nc
Graw and Mack. especially in the
game of ibis afternoon.
McGraw has the choice of either
Mathewscn or Marquard. The form
or is the greatest pitcher baseball ev
or saw. and is cool and crafty under
any and all conditions. Consequent
Nv Il would appear logical to hold
him 70. the opening game at Phila-
delphia tomorrow. when hostile
crowds will have little effect upon
him aud pitch Marquard today under
the favorable circumstances OF home
field and fans.
Connie Mack in his frst-string
pitchers. Bende- and Plank. has a
pair Of tried and true twirlers to
whom worlds series and thousands
OF spectators are nothing new. II is
therefore quite likely that Mack viii
nominate Bender for the bOxwOrk to
day. just as McGraw may select Ma
theeson. for both these pitchers lead
their respective staffs in all-around
ability. This being the case. the stage
setting viii be similar TO that OF the
opening game OF the 1911 series.
when BENDER and Mathewson oppos-
cd each other in the initial game at
the Polo grounds on October "a. the
Giants winning. TO I. before ga
therins or 3S.1Si spectators.