The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-04-06
(By Hugh S. F'uIlerton.)

the team that figures not only to win
the National league race but, in my
opinion, a team more than likely to
win by from II to Is anne over its
nearest rival. Washington is the third
place cam. one is compelled to place
Washington third on its showing of
last season, yet in my opinion Wash
ington will finish below that mark.
The truth is, Washington is not the
team likely to win a pennant. True, it
had a glorious chance to slip through
last season. 1t was one of those lucky
unlucky teams. With a little more
luck it would have grabbed a cham
pionship. If only Boston had slipped,
as it really should have done accord
ing to all rules Of the game-if Boston
had had just one fortnight of bad
MISREPRESENTATION would have won n
cham pionship. 1t would not have de
served to win, and, in my opinion, the
Senators came closer to the pennant
last season than they will come for a.
year or two.
The team lacks championship class.
and still is weak in several depart
ments, in spite of its great showing.
last season. The whole south is pull
ing for Griffith to win this season, and
| believe everyone in baseball would
rather have him win than anyone ex-
coptlng themSclVS. He'll make a great
fight, but it takes more than he has
to work with to win a championship.
especially as the American league is
going to be a tougher proposition, day
in and day out, this season than it
has been for several seasons
= y 4
Studying Pittsburgh is a simple mat
ter. If ever a team shaped up with
everything in its favor, Clarke's bunch
does this season. The Pirates have
the speed, the ability. the hitters and
the pitchers. They figure close to the
top in every department of the game:
the regular team is well balanced all
through, and the reserve force is far
the strongest in the circuit. It will
be a hard matter to cripple the team,
as the UNDERSTANDS are nearly as
classy as the regulars.
Beyond all that, Clarke is in this
light with a vengeance. Last summer
he was interfered with and to some
extent lost control of the team which
he has handled with such consisten,
success. He made a strong stand,
even refused to consider signing I'M
less given complete control of the
club, and Dreyfuss, being a sensible
man. surrendered.
Clarke must now Vindicate himself
and the big principle for which he
fought 1t is up to him, on behalf of
all managers, to convince owners they
are foolish when they attempt to med
ole with the playing end of the game.
Clarke has been one of the best dis
clplinarians the game Ever has known.
He always allowed the men reasonable
liberties. but insists upon moderation
IN all things and absolute condition.
FIRST base has, for Il years, been
Pittsburgh's weak point. | believe
three pennants have slipped through
that gap. This season John Miller.
tn" transformed second baseman, will
nave the regular job and last seasons
experience has made him an accept
able man. He had to learn the bag
last summer, but towards the close of
The season was handling it in much
better style. He Is a slashing hitter
ana daring man on the bases and a
corking ball player, who evidently
needs incentive and squirting to do
MS best. AS undorstudics Clarke has
Artie Hoffman and Ham Hyatt. Hof-
man is a handy baseman and Hyatt
fair and a slashing hitter.
MCCARTHY probably will handle sec
"hd, a neat ball player who improved
'aSt faiI and according to reorts is
Sl'adler and better this spring. Wag-
ior, OF course, will be al short, and
th'y say the big German is going at
ms Old gait this spring and is hustling
llard. Eyrnc at third is PERHAPS the
'l"SS OF the eaguc or close UP to
i'of|oE ana IN some respects Il better
man. rounding out an infirld that has
speed and class all around.
Carey, Hoffman and Wilson form the
outilcld, giving it one Of the fastest
ana most dashing in the country.
Wilson, | think, was considerable
above his hitting ability last wear, vet
ne Is a good hitter always and one of
me most timely mon i'll the business.
lhere Is much comment in Pitts
burgh about Hoffman, and lis case
uoeS not Seem to be understood, UoC-
man was and Is one of the great play
'IS OF the country, a bit spoiled and
""adSlrong. He got in bad in Chi
'"so by wanting more money and
MADE a foolishncSS Of himself. Know
lliS TINS, he worried, and on ton of
mat the sudden death of a brother
broke him.
norman IS nervous and high strung
ana thought he needed beer to nut on
ileSh' 1t added weight, but served
only to stimulate him and add 10 TN.
nerve strain and finally he went all
TO pieces ~nervouSly. on TOP of that
the trading to Pittsburgh hurt him,
tie pretended, of course, to like if. but
ne dldht, and was really a sick man
from oNer~Work, oVer-Strain, and fret =
'ihs' lie got a good rest, came back
ti'ls spring feeling fine, and is going
great guns. Artie is a fine fellow and
easily the best center fielder in the
circuit, ii corking hitter, and a fast
man.
carey IS brilliant but doesn't hit