The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-10-04
MUCH DEPENDS
ON INF|ELD IN
WORLD SERIES
QUITE LIKELY THAT VICTORY
WILL HANG TO A CoNSiDERA-
BE EXTENT, UPON WORK OF
GIANTS AND ATHLETICS IN
FIELD DURING COMING SERIES.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

New York, Oct. "a we'll known
| big league club manager said recently
/ that in his opinion more games were
! won and lost on the infieid than in
f, any other department Of baseball. Few
/; will contradict the assertion, and it is
quite likely EaRt victory Will hang, TO
/ a considerable extent, upon the work
Of the Giants and Athletics infelds
during the coming worlds series be-
i tween the Rev York and Philadelphia
clubs The Athletics 100000 infield
| is one that commands respect and ad-
; miration in baseball circles, but ii
! isn't worrying the Giants, if their
| statements are to be believed. Nc
Graw has not tried to put financial
/ figure on his four infielders, but he is
known to be as well satisfied with his
combination as baseball manager
can be.
STILL the fact remains that all the
figures available regarding the worlds
series Of 1911 and seasons play this
year point to the Athletics infield
quartet composed Of McInnes, Collins.
Baker and Barry as superior to Mer-
kle, Doyle. FIerzog, Shafer and Fetch
err, considered as a. whole. In the COM
bination which helped defeat the
Giants two years ago McTnnes had
no part, being on the bench with an
arm which was just gaining strength
after being broken. Harry Davis, the
veteran who took his place proved
most acceptable substitute, but with
McInnes on the initial bag, as he will
be when the present series opens, the
Athletics infield is certain to be much
stronger than it was in 1911 Shafer
has held down third for the Giants in
place of Herzog most of the season
~ -
cog, according to the style of pitching
to be faced. Aside from these shifts
and su5stitEtions, the lineup will be
the same as two years ago. when the
Athletics won the worlds champion
ship with four games out of six.
This being the case, the figures
available should prove the best means
of afferding a comparison between the
quartets which will work for the Ath-
letics and Giants. Merkle and McIn-
mes will be the rival first basemen,
and Mcfnnes appears to have a de-
cided advantage over the Giants ini-
tial sack guardian. MerSle is not as
finished a player as McInnes. but pos
hating. the Athletics star outshines
Merkle. He is also more aggressive
and covers more ground around first
base. Davis outplayed Merkle during
the 1911 clash, yet McInnes held the
bag up to the point in the season
when he broke his wrist. 1t is reason
able to suppose that Mack considered
him the better player of the two.
Collins VS. Doyle.
Moving to second base, Capt. Doyle
is found to be opposed by Eddie Col
Inns The Giants field leader is a
high class player, but Collins is rank
cd as one of the most famous second
basemen of baseball. At no time dur
ing the title struggle in 1911. however,
did Collins outplay Doyle. Whether
the latter can duplicate this feat Is
doubtful. His recent accident in
which his shoulder was badly wrench
ed when his automobile crashed into
tree will not improve his game. Fur
thermoTe, Doyle has not played or bat
ted this season up to the standard set
by himself during the worlds series
in which he was opposed by Collins.
The latter has improved steadily, and
his batting this season has been heav-
Ter than before On the bases Collins
is faster than Doyle and has stolen
many more sacks than the Giants
field leader. As q run getter the form !
err Columbia university student also
has the better Of Doyle.
Baker on Third
For the position of Ghird baSeman |
three players must be considered. For |
the Athletics John Franklin Baker of |
home run fame. is the sole candidate. !