Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-29

NEW ORk, August Z9.-'All our Grip
pies are coming back in good shape and
the team is beginning to play the same
old game" said Connie Mack, the man
ager of the Athletics. as he discussed
base ball affairs at the Hotel Somerset
yesterday morning. I'VE have had our
share of hard luck. but guess the worst
is over. I am willing to predict that we
will win the American League pennant,
but I'd rather not talk about the world $
series with the Giants just now. There
is plenty of time yet
as Jack Coombs out of IT." Mack was
asked.
He is pitching to our battcrs every
day." was the reply, land seems to have
plenty of strength. He is heavier than
before he was taken i'll, but looks we'll
That story told in Cleveland that Coombs
had his kneecap injured SO that he would
never play again was a little bit exag-
gerated Why, Jack didn't know that
there was SO much as bruise on his
knee until the next day. He wasn't car
red off the field. He walked, and he's
been walking ever since. I can tell you
definitely what can be expected from
Coombs in about fifteen days. He is
ried.
IF Coombs doesn't round into his best
form please remember that we have 4
few other good pitchers. Chief Bender
and Plank never were better. and they
are grooming themselves for the world
SERIES Then we have Shawkey, Houck
and Carroll Brown. all first-class young
pitchers. Shawkey has lost only one
game for us, 1-to-O pitchers battle with
Reb Russell of the White Sox. He trim
med the Clevelands in his two starts
and made a neat job Of it. He Is five
feet eleven inches tall, weighs ITO pounds
and is one Of the best right-handers !
ever saw come out of the minors.
rs your team stronger than in 1912?
Il think so. Our intield remains in
tact. Where can you beat it? Then again
we have batting strength in the outtield
and are stronger behind the bat. Lapp
is recovering from split hand and will
not catch in the series with the New
Yorks here. Schang and Thomas are all
right. though. BY the way, wasn't l play
ing in good luck when l failed to trade
Schang to the New Yorks for Paddy
Green? I had the wrong dope on Green
and really l was rather glad at the time
Farrell and Chance wouldn't let me have
him, for 1 thought that if Green panned
out and Schang failed I'd be accused of
putting something over. Schang has
caught wonderful ball for us.
Danny Murphy is in rather poor shape,
and will probably quit the game at the
end of this campaign. Our other vet,
Harry Davis. came to life as catcher
the other day. and. believe me. he sur
prised all of us behind the bat. He look
ed like a regular backstop."
You haven't bought any expensive
players for next year, have you?'
mo; We don't need them. Besides the
minor league clubs have been asking too
much money. l saw Chappell of the
White Sox in our recent series in Chi
cago and while he impressed me favor
ably don't believe he was worth the
price paid for him. He'll be a valuable
man III time, however. Hal Chase played
great ball against us. He hit hard and
hustled all he was worth. ] suppose he's
anxious to have Comiskey renew his big
salary
Have you any opinion as to Maisel of
the New Yorks?'
walsh. Eddie Murphy and Shawkey,
who played with him in Baltimore, say
he is a wonder. Jack Dunn also tells me
that he will be a star under Frank