Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-10
By w. j. McBeth.


prise Ban Johnson's American
League of 1918. The good thing is
Connie Mack's Athletics. This slug
ging aggregation should win the pen
nant almost as easily as it did in 1919
and 1911. Boston and Washingt n,
outciassed on paper, may give a fight.
But Philadelphia appears the real
class of the circuit.
Philadelphia is taking itself seri-
ously this season. which it did not 10
a year ago. The spirit has shown in
the series with the Phillies. Connie
Mack has one of the most wonderful
machines ever put together. His in
field is undoubtedly the greatest ever
played under one flag-McInnis, CO..
Inns, Barry and Raker-a1 fast. healy
base runners. superior fielders and in
the aggregate far above the 800 ella s.
in hitting.
His Outficld, reinforced by Walsh
and Murphy Of last years Orioles,
should be every bit as marvellous as
the inner line. Thomas and Lapp are
two of the best catchers in their com
pany. The only question is the pitch
ing staff
Has Three Star Hurlsrs.
Most baseball managers would take
a chance with Comics tossers. He
has a bunch of young fellows wao
look exceptionally promising, but ne
does not have TO count on any Of
these If his veterans behave Where
can you match Bender. Plank and
Coombs as a twirling trio, despite the
fact that they have seen so many
years of service?
Plank, older than Mathevson in
years and big league duty had one of
his very best seasons in 1912. Bender
and Coombs trified and did not baI
their share Of the burden. Aside from
the pitching, the Athletics swere Ill
most rs effective in 1912 as they We're
They made enough runs. but their
pitching corps could not withstand the
attack.
Red Sox Troublesome.
Boston should be very troublesome
this season. one would be very fool
ish not to credit a worlds champion.
But having seen Boston in the worlds
series against the Giants, the Only
wonder is how Stahls array ever
managed TO stay ON top of the puddle
The sOrriest, cheapest worlds cham
pion i'm the world is jhis club when
~ one stage Of the proceedings ha
New York hanging over the ropes ny
an advantage of three to one. ami
then. after eight games, had finally TO
cop the title through a couple of mis-
plays when Nathewson made them
look like so many "bushers."
Still, getting back TO fact. Boston
last year never lost more than two
games in a row before the gonfal5n
was Cinched. Which shows a mar
VelOus consistency at least. Boston,
it must be remembered. went through
the whole season without one serious
injury and al various times caught
both its most aggressive opponents
very much crippled.
1t would be foolish to count Bos.
ton out of the race. The Red SOX
boasts as fine an outfield as could
well be ina gined. The infield is eX-
ceptionally strong on the third base
wing. Larry Gardner is one of the
very best third basemen in the game.
Heine Wagner. at short. was the
kingpin of the season and the
worlds series.
The other side is not so certain.
While he played good ball in The
worlds series, Yerkes is not u fin
ished product. Jake Stahl has al
ways been an in and outer. He had
q good season i'm 1872. He may re-
peat and ne may not.
Boston lnfield Feeble.
Boston's iR1eld docs not begin to
compare with che Athletics. Neitre-
does the pitching staff. despi-.
smoky joe Wood. Bedient. 81
course. IS good. so are Ray Collins
and Charlie Hall. Collins could not
he classed with Plank Neither Be-
dent nor Hall would hold a candle
20 Coombs. Bender does not have t.
take any lip from Wood when the
Chief is himself
In pitching. Boston has the younger
men. They are more likely to be
steady and to improve all the time
But for the coming season Mack has
a much more promising pitching stan
than has Stafl. The catching depart
nents are just about tOss-up. On
form Philadelphia has q decided ad-
vantage
Washing ou has the = cat Wa .=r
Johnson. and H hiu 5l>t Ga'f g
pitching staff johnson hooeNe-. can
ns- eru 1erlsal single H-ug-..-
uycot an. NsIae. sst away Af-. "a