The Detroit times., 1913-02-20
Just One More Prediction Before
the Athletes Journey
Southwark
BUSH FOLLOWS GEORGE
MULLINS FINE EXAMPLE
Several Of the Tigers Besides
Registered HoIdouts To
Be Heard From
BY RALPH l.. YoNKER.


There are four clubs in the Ameri.
can league that Detroit can beat,
thinks Bob Lowe. Tiger scout, on the
eve OF the Tigers departure for the
south.
There is one club that Detroit has
a fighting chance with and there are
two that only something marvellous
can give eJnnlngs' men q chance to
wallop.
The four clubs over which Hughie
and his gang will triumph are Chicago
Cleveland, st. Louis and New York.
Lowe thinks that right now the pros.
poets OF the Tigers are better than
those OF any of these four teams.
II Bob,s predictions come true this
means that this quartet will ill up the
lower division and force the Tigers
into the first class.
The Tigers have fighting chance
with Washington. thinks Lowe. The
Athletics are almost sure to cop the
pennant with the Red Sox strong con-
tenders becausel OF their confidence
hanging over frdm last season. But
unless the veteran Mack pitching staff
gives out. the Athletics are the logical
pennant winners.
There is a gap between the leader
OF the first division and Red Sox that
must be filed by Washington and De-
troi.. The gap is so large that neither
club can hone, in normal conditions, TO
span II and climb ahead of the present
champions. On the other hand, the
two clubs need have little fear OF slip
ping down below thessfirst division
But in this gap there is going to be
merry little battle fo1ssthe third posi-.
tion between the Tigers and the Ma
tionals. Both clubs are hard to dope
out exactly. due to the abnormal con.
dition OF both teams. Washington
with its bunch of youngsters, may con.
tinue ehe sensational playing of last
year. On the other hand, il may slump
enough so that It will be just able tc
stay In the first division. Detroit, with
it's uncertain lineup, may sgartle ms
baseball world and again it may keep
going at a mediocre pace.
But the Athletics for the pennant
and Detroit for a first division place is
certain, according TO the dope Scout
Lowe has.
A different spirit is going TO be
shown among the Tiger athletes this
sumner than was exhibited last year
II present signs are good criterions.
The fret pleasing attitude taken 10.
wards the training matter was that OF
George Mullin, who insists with more
fervor than ever, that he is going 10
keen in fine condition this year. He
has backed up his boasts by working
at his home in Wabash in the win-er
and by asking to be allowed TO go
south with the first squad or players
this spring.
Now comes DOME Bush. the great
little shortstop who held out last sea-
son and reported at the last moment
I'm poor shape. DOME kicks in at the
last moment with a request that he,
90. be allowed TO travel southwark
earlier than usual so that he may be
in the finest kind Of shape.
Here's to You, old tops. and here's
hoping you are as enthusiastic about
being In condition in August as you
are now!
II is time now for a number OF the
Tigers who haven't sent In their colt
tracts to be jolting the fans with their
signatures. It is understood. though
not officially. that Preside.s Navin has
issued the .ultimatum that those aspir'
ants who do not kick in with their
contracts before the time for the train
ing season starts need not bother 10
report, but may farm, or plumb, or do
whate'er their hearts desire.
Now there do be several OF these
Besides that famous quartet, which
has held to a single note longer than
any other in existence, Cobb-Crawford'
Dubuc-Stanage, there are several 9th
er Tiges whose names ought to appear
soon with the announcement that they
have decided that they will cast their
lots with Detroit for another season
Unless some Of these contracts IRE
being held up at the baseball Office
before being announced. the papers oi
Wit. ouden and Willett, must still bt
raootvod