New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-29
Giants Picked to Beat the Ath-
Ietics in Worlds Series.
A BLUNDER IN BASEBALL
National Commission TOOK
Wrong Time to Rule Against
the Player Writer.
Rv Herbert.

II piCkinR winners was an NS'
everybody would be riding around IN au-
,omobiles and the sidewalks would De aS
deserted as the veranda of a summer no
FOL in October. There are reasons, now
ever. for supporting an opinion even
when IL comes down TO seven-game Sc
,4ce for the baseball championship OF the
universe. Reasons may not be conNlilc-
ing, except to the one who works theIh
out carefully 10 satisfy an Inclination u
he hailed as a true prophet or 10 make
little wager. but for all that most every
body is expressing an opinion, and l
hasten TO ioin the merry throng in pick
ing the Giants to beat the Philadelphia
Athletics when the strife begins at the
Polo Grounds on october L
II appears to be conceded that the
teams are remarkably we'll matched this
year and that the outcome hinges on
whether the hard hitting Athletics can
overcome what is assumed 10 be the
stronger pitching OF the Giants. This is
vague. 10 say the least, but II simply
means that many critics feel that John
j. McGraw is much better fortified with
pitchers in Mathewson, Marquard,
Demaree and Tesreau than Connie Mack
IS with Bender. Plank Houck. Brown
and shawkey. In a long series this would
count materially, but in a short one 1t has
less significance. unless one of the stars
is not at the top Of his form.
In this particular case, however. 1t
looks TO me as II the Athletics would not
be able TO work so much damage with
the stick against the New York pitchers
as the Giants will. even though they are
behind their opponents in team batting.
against the Philadelphia twirlers. The
chief reason. then. for picking the New
York team lies in what Matty, Marquard.
Demaree and Tesreau can accomplish In
keeping hits scattered and runs scarce.
Defensivey there is little to choose be-
tween the two teams. even though so
much has been written and said about
the wonderful 10000 infeld Of the Attn
Ietics. made up of McInnis, Collins. Barry
and Baker. II strikes me that Merkle,
DOYLE 0f he is able to play). Fletcher and
Shafer will more than hold their own.
Apart from mere figures. the Giants look
n bit stronger in the outfield. while be-
hind the bat big Chief Meyers is al
most sure to prove steadier and of more
value to his team than either Shang'
Thomas or Lapp for Philadelphia. John
]. McGraw and Connie Mack are masters
OF the baseball world in keen strategy
and sound judgment, so that In this re-
spect also there is little to choose. and
both teams will be we'll served. After all.
then, il comes down % the pitching. and.
| believing that the mighty Bender and the
cool headed Plank have not been going
so strongly as OF old. there is every rea-
son to feel convinced that Matty. Mar
GUARD ct al. will land the worlds cham
pionship pennant for New York.
AS said week ago when referring 10
that remnant Of a game which the Giants
and Philies must play out on Thursday,
no ruling is a good one that lacks the
element of fairness. II is surprising. then,
that the National Baseball Com mission
should promulgate an order that no play
ers taking part in worlds series or an
interclty series shall write or purport to
write any articles for the newspapers or
allow the use OF their names. The prac-
tice has become almost an abuse for the
/ reason that oftentimes players do not even
see. or much less conceive, what is sup
posed TO be their ideas and views until
the article is published. This in plain
words is nothing more than buncoing the
fans" and playing upon their creduhty.
The members Of the commission blum
dered. however. and blundered badly by
making this ruling at time when many
of the players who will take part in the
worlds series had entered into legal con-
tracts 10 write or supply the use OF their
names 10 various newspapers or syndl-
rates These contracts are legal ana
binding. and il was not fair. neither was
II polite, for the supreme court OF base
ball TO promise dire punishment 10 tnose
players who propose living up to an ooh-
cation made in good faith. The commis-
sion was vacillating. 1t should have acted
two or three months ago or not until the
present worlds series is over.
The Tribune is in no way involved. and
for that reason it is possible to speak
plajner. It IS true that Jake Daubert
will give his views on the games OF the
worlds series TO the fans" through these
columns. but his comment and criticism
will be in the form Of exclusive talks or
interviews He would not come under the
ruling of the commission in any case. as
he will not be engaged In any intercity
series. but Il was the purpose OF The
Tribune to give it's readers the opinions
OF a man well qualified 10 pass judgment
on the plays and the players in way
that would be absolutely above criticism.
The commission did we'll to set its stamp
OF disapproval on this player-writing
practice, but the trouble is II did 1t at
the wrong time and in way that Is
likely 10 invite a controversy In the
courts 1t is pretty we'll understood that
some baseball laws would get short shrift
I'm a court Of equity. There is just one
way to stop this making OF hits with the
pen, and that is by an agreement be-
tween the players and their clubs In the
form of a clause inserted in the contract.
There's luck in odd numbers is
SAYING that the fans are repeating with
much elation these days. 1t may be re-
called that the worlds series games at
the Polo Grounds will be played on Octo-
her 2. 9 and n-that is, unless the weather
gods frown.