Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-14
How Atlanta Birmingham Size up for the Pennant Race
MAN=FOR=MAN COMPARISON OF TODAY'S RIVALS

TT the Crackers are going to win
the pennant this year they have
n the Birmingham team to beat.
II they are to win their first game
on home grounds they have the same
feat 20 perform.
On last years form the Birming-
ham team was calculated TO win about
two out OF every three games played
with the locals. But times have
changed.
In the game against Atlanta to-
day the Barcns will necessarily put
out their strongest lineup.
This being the case, a close scru-
tiny of the intergFal parts of the two
ball playing machines might prove
interesting. Birmingham has nearly
all old men, and with the exception
of Bodus. every man on the team has
had seasoning in fast company.
II is not the team Birmingham had
last year, since Almeida is missing, as
well as Jimmy Johnston, but Moles-
worth hopes TO get the jump with
IT. lust the same. I'm spite OF the fact
that many Birmingham fans claim
that they can not "see" the present
outfit
However. let's look them over and
compare them with the Crackers.
Many Of the Barons are familiar to
Cracker fans already. but here is
the way they size up at the opening
Of the present scrimmage, records
and all. with a dash Of conservative
conjecture here and there:
William MeGiIvray of the 5arons-
Batting, 314; fielding, 1888. McGil-
vray is recognized as one of the
leagues heaviest hitters. Mac" is the
backbone Of the Barons' hitting
strength He is not a finished field
er, however.
All Even at First Base.
Joe Adler Of the Crackers-This
man has II on McGilyray in fielding,
base running and thinking. The
Baron has the edge in hitting. .3l4 to
.264. There i9 not a lot Of choice
between the men. McGilvray is a
and a timely hitter. Personally we
prefer Aglor.
Locals Lead at Second.
Arthur Marcan of the Barons-Bat-
ting average. PAS; fielding average,
96S Marcan is quick thinker ana
one Of the brainiest players In the
minor leagues. While his batting av-
erage IS not so high his hits are time
" and he IS an aggressive player.
While on bases. though not speedy,
he is to be watched.
Charles Alderman Of the Crackers
This man has a marked advantage
over Narcan. He is a better hitter.
knows Just as much baseball, is fully
as quick a thinker and nearly IS good
on the bases. They are much the
same sort Of players, with Alperman
shade better all around.
ELAN May Be Better.
Roy ELAN of the DEMONSTRATING.
226: fielding. GAL ELAN doesn't get
on bases great deal. He covers
much territory, going after every
thing IN sight, and in his fielding
lies his greatest strength. ELAN
knows the game.
Walter Heating of the Crackers
This man viii probably bat slightly
better than ELAN. win field about the
same and win he quite as quick
thinker. He lacks experience, how
ever and unless his marvellous ability
on the bases brings him MP on an
even footing the Barons will have
shade advantage at short.
At Third Base It's Easy.
LnHFIeS NdFTDlt CT tue DaTpuo 4. lA4-
itv Of Ia 81 season, third base his sea-
son: batting 23s; fielding. .955. Is
a Young ball player who lacks the adj
vantage Of much experience. He is
fast and a timely hitter. He is a
fair base runner and is developing
good head.
Wally Smith Of the Crackers
Without much argument IL will be
conceded that the Crackers have all
the advantage al third Smiths bat
ting mark was better last year in the
National than CAROLS was in the
Southern Smith can field better to-
dav than Carroll viii ever be able
10 do. Neither IS much Of a base
runner. Both are smart players
atlanta Infisld Better.
Apparently the taiI-enders Of last
nant winners OF last year I'm the In
field. Cau 30 an even break at first
and give the Crackers the worst OF
it al short and the superiority NJ
smith and Alderman over Carroll and
AIarcan makes the margin wide in
Atlauta's favor.
Now for the Outfeld.
Clyde Mcbride Of the 5arons-Bat-
ting. .2f5. fielding. .sIs. Is rather
Indifferent an times bur is considered
"a good. steady player and good
outfieldcr MeErile's batting is feeble.
Harry Bailey Of the Cracksrs-Th-.
batting averages tell the story 80