Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-10

less questionable assets con-
prise Ban Johnson's American
League of 1913. The good thing is
Connie Mack's Athletics. This slug
ging aggregation should win the pen
nant almost as easily as it did in 1919
and 1911 Boston and Washingto1,
outclassed on paper may give a fight.
But Philadelphia appears the real
class of the circuit.
Philadelphia is taking itself seU-
ously this season, which II did not 10
a year ago. The spirit has shown in
the series with the Phillies. Connie
Mack has one of the most wonderful
machines ever put together His in
field is undoubtedly the greatest ever
played under one flag-Mclnnis, Col
Inns Barry and Baker-all fast. healy
base runners, superior tielders and In
the aggregate far above the 800 class
in hitting.
His outfeld. reinforced by Walsh
and Murphy of last years orioles,
should be every bit as marvellous as
the inner line Thomas and Lapp are
two of the best catchers i'm their con-
pany. The only question is the pitch
ing staff
Has Three Star Hurlers.
Most baseball managers would take
chance with Comics tossers. He
has a bunch Of young fellows WHO
look exceptionally promising. but he
does not have to count on any Of
these If his veterans behave. Where
can you match Bender. Plank and
Coombs as a twirling trio. despite the
fact that they have seen so many
years of service2
Plank. older than Mathewson in
years and big league duty. had one Of
his very best seasons in 1912. Bender
and Coombs trifled and did not b. n
their share of the burden. Aside from
the pitching. the Athletics twere a.
most as effective in 1912 as they We're
in either of the previous seasons.
They made enough runs. but their
pitching corps could not withstand the
attack.
Red sox Troublesome.
Boston should be very troublesome
this season. one would be very fool
sh not to credit a worlds champion
But having seen Boston in the worlds
series against the Giants. the only
wonder is how Stahrs array ever
managed to stay on top of the puddle
The sOrTiest, cheapest worlds cha n
pion in the world is this club which
a one stage Of the proceedings ha !
New York hanging over the ropes ny
an advantage of three TO one, AMI
then. after eight games had finally TO
cop the title through a couple of mis-
plays when MathewsOn made them
look like so many "bushers."
Still, getting back 10 fact, Boston
last year never lost more than two
games in a row before the gonfalJn
was cinched. Which shows a mar
velous consistency at least. Boston,
IL must be remembered, went through
the whole season without one serious
injury and at various times caught
both its most aggressive opponents
very much crippled.
II would be foolish to count Bos
ton out OF the race. The Red SoS
boasts as fine an Outfield as could
well be imagined. The infield is eS
ccptionally strong on the third base
wing. Larry Gardner is one OF the
very best third basemen in the game.
Heine Wagner. at short, was he
king-pin OF the season and the
world Is series.
The other side is not so certain.
While he played good ball in the
worlds series, Yerkes is not fin
iShed product. Jake Stahl has al
ways been an in and outer. He had
a good season in 1912. He may re
peat, and he may not.
Boston inUeid FeeDte.
Boston's infield does not begin TO
compare with the Athletics. Neither
does the pitching staff, deSpizc
smoky joe Wood. Bedient. Of
course. is GooG: 50 are Ray Collins
and Charlie Hall. Collins could not
be clsssed with Plank Neither Be
dent nor Hall would hold candle
% Coombs. Bender does not have -
take any lip from Wood when ths
Chief is himself.
In pitching, Boston has the younger
men. They are more likely to he
steady and to improve all the time.
But for the coming season Mack has
a much more promising pitching stan
than has Stahl. The catching depart
ments are just about a toss-up. on
form Philadelphia has a decided ad-
vantage.
Washington has the great Walter
Johnson. and i'm him just half q
pitching staff. Johnson. hoWeves. can
uot WIN q penusnr siugle-hanGel.
Groom ami Walker got away wi-s