The Washington herald., 1913-10-03

bat against Tex Russell. To see whether
they are likely to hit Mathewson study
their performances against Fred Falken-
berg-and SO on.
Comparison of Huriers.
| Even in that study we are against the
necessity of making invidious compari-
sons between the American and National
Leagues. Is the average pitching against
the Athletics as good as the average
pitching against the Giants? Both teams
are called upon to bat against the strong
est pitchers each club in the leagues can
present No one will dispute the fact
| that, at present the American League
Las the better pitchers. I mean more
\ really great pitchers. j have studied to
see what each batter OF the Giants has
hit against pitchers Of the Athletics
type, and vice yersa-and with some sur
prising results.
Taking twenty-five games of the Giants
against pitchers ofzthe style of Plank
and Bender and Houck and Brown, I find
! their team batting average is III, instead
Iof a team average Of 30 (September 81
against all comers. Taking the Athletics
twenty-eight games against pitchers near
the type of Marquard. Demaree, and
Tesreau, I find they have a batting aver
age of 26, against an average Of 2SS
ers.
Talked with Players.
Before we commence studying the dope
on the individuals and their managers,
there is one more thing TO make clear.
Do not get the idea that the estimates
Of players are all my own. have talked
with members Of both teams, men close
ly associated with them, with the play
ers, and many Of the managers OF op-
posing teams, getting their opinions of
the players. When my idea of the worth
of a player is in conflict with the esti-
mates Of that same man by players who
work with or against him. mine goes
into the discard.
A players estimate of another player is
much closer to the proper and, ordin-
arily, than that of any reporter or ex-
pert can be. They know the little
things that happen on the field that the
outsider does not guess.
recall one case, a player on the Ath-
letics. I had studied his playing and his
figures for two seasons, and imagined l
had him placed about as he should be in
rating. l rather belittled his prowess in
some ways, and imagined he was a filler
in between stars. One night l was talk
ing with Germany SchGefer about the
Athletics and he spoke Of this same man
as one of the really great players of the
American League and as the best man
on the Athletics in team play and in me
fine points. / was astonished. Through
fear Schaefer might be prejudiced in
favor OF the player. I inquired OF George
Mcbride, who held the same opinion of
the player. Two others of the Washing
ton team supported their estimate and
pointed out things in which the man was
strong. \ few days later in Boston
inquired OF Iris Speaker as to what he
thought Of the Mackman, and his rating
was the same as that OF the Washington
players. The White SOx rated him just
as high. so my own opinion had to be
modified to agree with theirs.
Players Know Players.
1t is frequently that way. l saw the
player possibly a dozen times a year or
less, and he may have looked weak dur
ing these games, or rather may have
failed TO show his strength. The men
who played with and against him know
what he could do and what he did do.
l remember q few years ago taking
a man from home to see Cleveland play.
He never had seen a big league game
before, and he wanted to know what
they kept that big stiff down on second
base for, when he couldn't field or hit"
He was judging LajOie from one days
performance with Ed Walsh pitching.
Now We have the basis OF the dope"
all laid out You understand, we are
going to figure out this series together
and find out which team ought to win |
il, and why: and Sunday We will start
with a comparison of 'Stufy'' McInnes
and his understudy and Fred Merkle and
the ones who can replace him If he is |
injured. and take up the remaining MEM |
bers OF both teams. |
Copyright. lsI3. BY Mcclure NEWSPAPER Syndicate)