The Washington times., 1913-04-29
BOSTON COUNTED
OUT OF THE RACE
Quaker Wiseacres Figure Cleve-
land, Washington, and Phil
adeIphia as Contenders.
MACK WATCHES CLIMBERS
He Believes That Red Sox Have
Shot Their Last Bolt and Are
No Longer Dangerous.
By SENATOR"

looks like three clubs to make the fight |
for the pennant in the American |
League, and last years worlds cham |
pions is not included in that number. |
Here in Philadelphia the critics believe
that Boston has shot its bolt and Will
never be even dangerous all season |
Cleveland is given more credit for
having the necessary fighting strength
to make a battle than Jake Stahls
worlds title holders. Philadelphia. |
washington, and Cleveland-that's the
way they are doping them here.
"I said earlier this spring that the
Washington Climbers would be my
toughest opponent this year. says Con-
ME Mack, sitting in his capacious Of
fee at shibe Park, and looking out upon
the lake in right field. From what I
have seen Of both teams to date. moth
ing has happened TO cause me to change
my mind.
I'VE have played one series with the
Red Sox In Boston and one here. We
had poor weather in Boston. but even
then we beat them handily. They didn't
look good to me. Then thev came here
for another series and again they were
beaten. We have been told that we
were overconfident last year. and
thought we could make the jump almost
any time. and sail through the league
to the pennant. Well, be that as 1t
may, we failed In our jump. I'm afraid
Boston IL in for the same experience
Climbers Are Strong.
"The Climbers are strong in every de-
partment Perhaps another hard hit
ter might do them lot OF good, but
such a man will help any team in the
league rs well. Griffith has remark
ably well-balanced bali team. one that
Is on its toes all the time and forever
trying something new. This wins lot
of games.
Cleveland has got away TO hying
start, and is raising ructions out Ia
the West. Apparently Birmingham's
team is the best In that section Of the
country. II the Maps can hold their
own with the Eastern teams, which are
ABOUT % IL invade rras the the bSoT: tnes
"An infield composed of Johnston, q
corking good hitter, with lots of ginger;
Larry Lajoie. who needs no comment;
Ray Chairman, an especially aler. Dill
liant hard-hitting shortstop. and Topsy
Turner. ore Of the best players in the
game, despite his age, Is bound to be
an infeld 10 carry you along quite
Give the Maps steady pitching. and
thai team will beat a whole lot OF
clubs in this league. Fred Falkenberg
is pitching as well as exer ne me- dia, a.. v,,s ne
you know. II he isn't overworked. ne
should be valuable to the Maps. Foar
STEADY pitchers will keep the Maps hign
lots Of trouble with them when We hit
them on this coming trip. 80
Three in Struggle.
-, iv ha
struggle for this years pennant. I'm
less Boston takes sudden brace, the
worlds champions will be left at the
post II they pick up their game, they
NAV make the fourth team, but right
now can't see them. Philadelphia.
washington and Cleveland, these three
will make the fight.
Eddie Ainsmith's blocking off Of
"Stuffy' McInnis has caused much bit
ter criticism here among the seroes; ss
plate is practiced by catchers on Al
teams. Indeed, il a backstop isn't Will
ing to risk his life and limb doing tnis'
there is no place for him on any Dig
league team. 1t largely depends upon
whose OK is being gored. whether or
not the practice is to be condemned.
When Ira Thomas gave ''Chick Can
dill the hip in Washington last summer.
hurting him high into the air and tax
ing a chance on iniuring him for life. no
P6iladeiphia scribe saw fit to howl at
the practice. But when Ainsmith stood
like a rock in McInnis' path and pinned
him to the earth long enough to get
the ball and tag him, why. that was
brutal piece of work. It's simply q
case Of the OK. that's all.
Catching In the big leagues is dan
gerors pastime. Not only is a man ex-
posed to savage foul tips which fire.
QuentIy break fingers, but they are also
exposed to the sharp spikes of the Slid
ing runners. many of whom are per
IectIy willing TO cut down the backstop
Ainsmith did no more than any other
backstcp is continually doing. He stood
motioniess, as II the ball would never
get TO him in time. This bluned Nc
1nnis into slowing up.
Thus when the Mackman hit the art
he had lost much of his momentum
Ainsmith then pinned him to the cur
with his left knee. grabbed the tati
from behind the PROSTATE Mclnnis ano
tagged him. II was a daring thing %
do. but he would have been laughed
out Of the league by those very Phila'
delphla players and scribes had he Quit
This is the business of the backstop. u
stop runners from scoring. The good
Connolly Making Good.
Joe Connolly seems to be the onl? one
Of the 1913 rockies TO be making good
in his new birth, though Dutch" Muncf
is said to be playing good ball for syra
cuse Welchonce is not slugging the ba!
up to his standard in Atlanta. Dobard
sent 10 Atlanta by Grif without tria
with the Climbers. has failed. necessi
tating the sending for Rebel Williams
Now the latest to fall down is A
Echeer.
Scheer is slightly too old to deyelol
much more. He is too short-legged ant
weak on his pins 10 have much speed
The weight of his hitting is thus NULL
fed. He is fast enough and good enough
performer for a small league and tha
in where he will play this season, with
Youngstown. Ohio, where he made hii
reputation. He has failed to hang oI
with Providence in the Internattona
League.
paul Musser seems certain of gettint
another trial with the Climbers. Th'
blonde Dutchman from Mtilheim. Pa.
Ii pitching championship ball for Fii
Smiths Atlanta club. In. his first TIVE
games, both of them victories. he al
lowed but two hits and three hits. Thi
IL