Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-02
SAY SECOND BASE
|SNOT STRONG
Critics Around A. L. Circuit
Pick One Flaw in Crit
fith'S Team.
POSITION SURE TO GO
TO MORGAN OR LAPORTE
Latter Can Fill Bill as Hitter.
Athletics May Be Public
Choice in 1913 Race.
By j. ED GRILLO.

In hSur1nS the chances OF the
various teams in the American
League race next season most
critics are pointing out the fact
that the Nationals are weak at
second base In every other re-
>Dcct the team seems to look COOL
TO thOSe in other cities OF the cir
CtIt. because it is believed thai
the Outfleld will be stronger.
either by reason OF the improve
nent that the players who filled
those positions last year will
show or by means OF some of the
many youngsters proving phe-
noms.
1t Is also generally believed that
the pitching staff will be stronger.
and the only doubt that appears
to exist concerns second base.
10 certain extent this fear is
we'll founded, and yet the team
might be worse off in this respect.
here Is some consolation that
If the man is not found who will
give perfect satisfaction in the
position from every standpoint,
Griffith is sure to have one PLAYER
for the job who can at least hold
up his end with the stick. and that
is Laporte.
There is no reason for believing
that Morgan would not show
much improvement IN the posi-
ton. He was a green hand there
last season, yet played brilliantly
i'll streaks. He may come with
a vengeance and clear the situa-
ton. Little or nothing is known
of the young inhelders Griffith
has corralled On their showing
in the minors much is not to be
expected from any one OF them.
SO that the chances, are Griff will
have to rely on Morgan and La
porte. But this will not neces-
sarilv be a hardship.
Last season the team finished second
after miserable start and this pair al
ternated at second base. 1t was the alb
sence of good first baseman last spring
which handicapped the team. and that
position certainly appears to have been
placed in competent hands
Any one who witnessed the last worlds
series will not pick the Red Sox 20 re-
peat in the coming race. Notwithstanding
-l,~V is
There was nothing about the playing of
cit er team that marked it a remark
able combination of playing strength.
and regardless OF which team had won
that final same neither would have made
much of an Impression
II would therefore not he at all sur
prising if the Athletics were installed
fayorites in the coming struggle Thee
was so much difference in the perform
ance of the Nackmen the wear before
when they lowered the colors of the
Giants. that the impression. was created
that had they been in last years stTug
gle they cOu-, have beaten both teams
IN a majority Of games. On past per-
formances. of course. one must pick
Boston 10 repeat. The team won the last
pennant by rather comfortable margin.
and it is sure to be as strong on paper
this year as ii was last. But it has lost
some of it's prestige b. it's SLOWING. in
the series with tie Giants. and there will
he no cDd Of followers Of the sport who
Will pick the Athletics to beat them The
pest tist me <tGonaIS VIII be figured
VIII ne foc tnisi f''2ce. get with :: few
;sood breaks - Il. rs team may uDse. p
calculations :nd finish II the top of the
heap
II seems rpcst likely however. that it
Is gong to be harder - win the flag this
year than last. on paper the teams W ricll
were iamentab!y weak last season seem
10 have beer strengthened. ana are ant
10 put mp a much more stubborn fight
than they did.
There is, however. little danger OF any
one of them breaking into the first three
berths. though the fourth position is sure
TO furnish an interesting struggle The
most Improvement is to be expected from
Cleveland and st. Louis. The Maps look
I'd more like a real ball team during the
closing weeks Of the season than for some
time. 1t is true that the Cleveland team
always makes a strong finish. but last
fa!l II seemed 10 be legitimate squirt.
Out in ST. Louis Stoyall seems not only
," have surrounded himself with some
vecE promising p.tchcrs. but to have a
'al'lF We'll balanced team III other 70
PEGS, cough ne seeTls 10 De u triie
weak behind She bat
Just whether Jim Callahan viii be able
10 make better showing derenGs entire
y on what sort OF youngsters he has
picked up. He did not have a strong
team last eason, though he got off 10 q
fiyiaS start and for Il while led the pro-
cession. He has that same team though
OF course. large batch of recruits has
SeS''iC' SN t1!' eihb VII tEGSS VIII de-
pend the question of whether the White
Sox arc TO be cortenGers or not
Unless Jennings is particularly fortunate
~ securing a whole lot of good players,
and particularly pitchers. the Tigers are
c9t going 70 nc dangerous. Barring four
Gr fiv" n'"n OF that team. Jennings is not
i'c-Sc9 VIII AIRY mai league material
nj h Is S;.re 20 have Il hard row 10 hoe
frank C.dnce * re 10 make some dr.
ference n tina: Ne York team. but A
.larIa.er must nave material before ne
c1n have Z winner. and 1t is doubtful in
deed Il CHARGE Will have team which lie
car bring up out of tho second division.
Hugh Jennings is 20 make his stage de-
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