Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-07
GIVES HIS REASON
Birmingham Tells Why Ath--
Ietics Should Win.
FIVE MAIN FACTS APPEAR
They Are Connie Mack, Bender,
Plank, Thomas and That
Great MAeld.


Above. I have given Ave reasons why
the Athletics should win the worlds series
from the New York Giants. / do not be-
lieve the Athletics win win just because
am an American Lacquer. We're I q
National Lacquer. an international
Lacquer or q New York State Lacquer
my opinion would be the same, so spoke
Joe Birmingham in expressing his
opinion Of the final outcome Of the clash
between the Athletics and Giants. And
The pubic win agree with me when
say that Connie Mack and John McGraw
are the two greatest managers In the
country. We have no way to decide
which is the better Of the two aside from
has led teams in two such series during
the last four years. He has been q win
ner each time. McGraw has also been
In twice. He has lost twice. Inasmuch
as success Ia what determines man.
ager's ability, would say that Mack has
II recall but one mistake by Mack IN
his last two clashes with the National
Leaguers. That was when he Let Jack
CoombS remain In the box when 1t was
had lost his ability to pitch. It was
sentiment that swayed Connie that time.
though, and he ia not likely to make the
same blunder again.
BENDER and Plank are two important
reasons. Both are pitchers who have
always worked at their best in worlds
series. Neither IL likely to be ratified
by the Importance of the occasion. In
fact II is just the other way. The harder
the fight, the better each one OF these
two will pitch.
"In the last game he pitched against us
Plank had q better curve ban than he
er had before, while his speed was
equal to anything he had ever shown
us He had not pitched three balls
before he began to grin. and when
Plank is wearing that famous grin leols
out for him. Prior to that time he was
a worried man. He was afraid that he
would be unable to pitch effectively in
the worlds series, but those three innings
he worked against Us showed him he was
himself again.
.You hear a lot Of talk about Bush
and Shawkey being unable to acquit them
selves successfully against the Giants,
am not taking any stock In that kind
Of dope. Comics young pitchers did we'll
enough to win the American League pen
nant this year, and that was no easy task.
Any pitcher who could stand the gag In
the regular championship games can re-
peat In the post-season series. Bender
and Plank did not win the pennant alone.
The records show that Brown, Bush.
6hawkey. Houck. Pennock and Wyckoff
won dfty-one games. all but Wyckoff
winning uiAty PcE ccut w SucaS 8a1uou.
did not .at against either Bush or Shaw
key. but judging from what ! heard on
the bench each has q good curve ball
with pretty good control
sWero tho Athletics poor batting team
would not bet on any Of Mack's younger
pitchers winning a game from the Giants.
but Connie has q wonderful hitting tenn.
q gang that can go out any inning and
score four or Ave. or even more runs.
With such hitting strength behind them.
Bush, Shawkey or Brown should be rated
Just as capable Of winning as Demaree.
resreau or Marquard.
"Phiiadelphia has one OF the most dan
tory Of tho game. It combines speed with
hating ability. Il can mix. up its style Of
attack, a. we'll. With Mack on the bench
with such capable lieutenants alert to
pick OFT the weaknesses OF tho opposing
team. ! know Of no club that Is more
Il give Ira Thomas a. one Of my rea-
sons why the Athletics should win. Don't
overlook Ira, He has proved himself
there In the pinch in three worlds series. J
,niy game won by Detroit from the Cubs
Connie has not said he vii! use him
against the Giants, but It would not sur.
prise me a bit II he did. |
Last, but not least Is the wonderful
nfield Of the Athletics. the best In recent |
~ paths. IL can hit, Il can think. 1t lie |
D the game every minute. being as strong
III the defense as II IL on the offense |
Ind No Cleveianders know to our cost |
how McInuis, Collins. Barry and Baker |
,an break up games with their bats.
with tho hitting strength he has At |
nis command. Connie 10 able TO make |
shings comparatively easy Tor his piteh-
ira