The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-07
ATHLETICS READY
TO START SEASON
Connie Mack Expects to Start
Trouble Early in Spring.
Team in the "the Pink"

Philadelphia. April 6-Away to a
flying start in the 1913 American
League pennant hunt. is the slogan
of Counie Muck's Athletics. In pa2
years tho Athletics have been slow
starters, mainly because they have
depended upon veteran pitchers, who
wore not favored with tho proper
kind OF weather to condition them for
the first few weeks of the season. 1t
Is different this season. All OF the
pitchers are in prime shape right now,
and only serious accidents or complete
breakdown I'm this department can pre-
vent tho Athletics from going Off 70 a
better start than they did In the two
seasons they were American League
and worlds champions at least this is
the dope the Quaker City scribes arc
handing out.
Seldom. IL ever, has big league
club been in as grand condition at
this time OF tho year AS are tho Ath-
letics. Although 1t Is early to be max
ing predictions. there is not n mem
Der OF the regular team who has not
tho absolute feeling that the Mack
mon will cop the bunting. Manager
and players have extreme confidence
that when the worlds receipts are d.
vided next October. those wearing the
sweater coat with the White Elephant
emblem will cash IN for q major share
OF the spoils.
There Is no secret about the team
which Schoolmastcr Mack pins faith
on to carry him across tho wire a win
ner. When the fan takes his seat at
Fenway Park, Boston. and peruses tho
score card for the opening clash be-
tween the Red Sox and the Athletics.
the latter's lineup will read like this
Il. Murphy, right field; Rubc Oldring,
left fold: Eddie Collins, second base:
J. Franklin Baker, third base; Stuffy
McInnis first base: Ames Strunk, CEN
ire field: Jack Barry. shortstop; Jack
i-app or Ira Thomas. catcher: Albert
Bender. Eddie Plank. Jack Coombs. or
Carroll Brown, pitcher.
This does not constitute tho COM
plete makeup OF the house OF Mack.
On their toes, read to answer n call
to get into active service ut any time.
will be: Captain Danny Murphy and
Jimmie Walsh. outfcldcrs: Harry Davis
and Orr iniielders: Ben EGan and
Schrang. catchcrs: Byron Houck. Herb
Pcnnock. pitchers. who were with the
team last year. and at least two more
young twlrlers. who are likely 10 be
Weldon Wyckofr, who played with
Bucknell University last year. and
BULLET" Bush, who was with the Mis-
soula club OF the Missouri Union
League I'm 1912.
All Will admit that TO be ii pennart
contender team must have an excel
lent pitching stafY-one that IS favored
with the breaks OF the game, and one
that can stand the gaff. The Athletic
veterans have proven that they can
stand the gam. To date the Mack
pitchers have been favored with tho
breaks in the form OF good weather.
Eddie Plank. Chief Bender and Jack
Coorsbs IL not need the breaks In
season weather. particularly Bender
and Coombs. Eddie Plank has always
been n good cold weather pitcher. Al
San Antonio. for ten days, Coombs and
Bender had the weather In which they
delight TO pitch. The warm climate
OF these first ten days did its work
well. The pitchers passed the stage
of tho spring training where throwing
curve balls was agony.
Three pitchers cannot win pennant,
however. as was proven when cy Nor
gan. one of Mack's reiiables. blew up.
This year Mack Is taking no chances.
and has Carroll Brown. Byron Houc!s
and Herb Penrock. OF last seasons
STAFF as well as the young crop. 10
pick from In securing the four rcgu
lar members. Brown has shown won
dcrful Improvement, and looks to be
in shape for splendid season
Houck, too. will he more valuable to
/ the team. In Herb Pennock. Manager
Mack has brilliant understudy TO Ed
| die Plank, and IT would not be sur
prsing in the least 10 See the young
ster alternate on the slab with the
veteran when 1t becomes the day for
"a southpaw to work
! Added strength liz found In tho out
| field. which should give far better &C
count of itself in hitting and field
| ing than the performance of the trio
I that covered this territory the middl,
Of last season. Speed is written on the
faces Of Eddie Murphy, Ruhe OldrinR
Amos Strunk and Jimmie Walsh. Then
! there IL Captain Benny Murphy. who
| has helped the Athletics win three
American League pennants, to be called
upon In a pinch. Eddie Murphy has
about cinched his place at the top OF
the batting order. 1t does not take
a critic eye to notice improvements ir
| the work Of Oldring. Strunk and
| Continued on seventh Page.