Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-08
BRAVES ARE MORE
DOUBTFULQUANTITY
THAN THE GIANTS
Athletics Themselves AR
Slower About Maxim
Predictions, Rememberino
What Happened in 1910.

ers and the press, last year. In making
irrevocable predictions for a Mackma0
victory in the worlds series. This year
this is not true. For some reason. the
thoughts of every one seems to hay,
turned back to 1910.
When Connie Mack sent in his team
against the cubs, in their famous series
of that year. there were few outside the
ranks Of the local players themselves
who had any confidence in the AthIetics
ability to win. Yet they did win. ON
paper today the White Elephants have
an advantage over their cultured rivals
which surpasscs even that of the cubs in
1910. Yet iron-clud predictions are not
being made in favor of Mack's men.
This can he accounted for this year be-
cause of the fact that the Braves have
never been in a worlds series, and arr
therefore unknown quantities. Individual
lv and as a team. IN this event. Whether
stalling's method of giving his men con-
fidence by repeated predictions of victory
will give them the right amount of con
fidercc remains to be seen.
1t is hardly probable that there is ans
ovcrcunHdence among the Boston players,
but there is confidence. This will surely
work to their advantage The New York
Giants were beaten last season before
they took the field against the Athletics.
Down in their hearts the Giants realized.
or thought they did. that their chances
for winning the series We're almost nil.
Therefore they we're nil. This year there
is no such feeling among the Braves. Taey
feel that their great fight in the National
League justnes the confidence which
they have been nurturing since they
cinchcd the flag in Tenors circuit.
The Athletics feel tho same about the /
series as the baseball writer's. They be-
lieve that, man for man, they are su-
peror to the Braves: that as we'll
primcd machine they have the advantage; /
that they have a better working know!- .
edge of the game. and finally that Connie /
Mack will direct his club more effectively !
than George StallinSs. Yet they are slow
In making predictions on the outcome,
even in private conversation.
That old series of 1910 has been re-
viewed this year more than any one in
past history. First because it has caused
this vague feeling in baseball circles, that
Stallings may do just what the Athletics
did that year. and secondly because that
contest showed that there is no way
really to judge pitchers in different
leagues until they actually come together
In conflict.
All doubt has been cast away regarding
stuffy McInnis' ability to go into the
,eries. Both Connie Mack and the player
himself stated yesterday that when the
impire calls play BALI tomorrow after
noon Crowded it doesn't rain) the
little wonder will be at his station, pre-
pared to play the game of his young
life.
For some reason the fact that Stuffy
was hurt did not become generally known
Until a few days ago. Mclnnis was hurt
n st. Louis on the last trip OF the Ath-
etics In the West. A pitched ball hit
lis right hand and for time II seems
hat it was feared he had broken his
hand. But an S-rny photograph showed
that this was not the case. bruise
was the worst thing that could be found
On close examination.
As far as his fielding is concerned,
McInnis will not be affected in the least
by his sore hand, even though it may
pain him. But at the bat It is different.
He is very apt TO find that he cannot
grip the stick. and that will naturally
nave a tendency to weaken his slugging.
Now that Red Smith is out of the
game it is we'll TO consider the man
who will take his place. Stallings mas
not stated positively that Deal will 80
10 the third sack. but he has given
,very other evidence that such IS his
Intention.
Deal is one of the cleverest cIeanest
ielders in the game He is much more
inished performer than Smith who mas
lad comparatively little experience. Deal,
If the other hand. has been playing base
oal for years and has been an in
ielder almost as long as he has been
playing. But on the offensive there is
10 comparison, judging by past per
ormances, between Smith and his sue
lessor. Deal may be the very man who |
will get the timely rap that will beat !
ne range Of possibility that he will get
,nough timely hits 10 win the series
lust as George Robe did for the White I
5ox in 1906, but the chances are against
Deals doing nearly as well as Smith ,
you'd have done.
Red" has been a slugger ever since | !
be began playing baseball. He began by {
getting a reputation among the colleges
OF the South by his habit OF breaking . .
the hearts OF the opposing pitchers ,
While he was a member Of the Auburn
baseball team. Later. when he Joined ,
one of the clubs Of the Southern Asso-
citation, ne kept up his hard hitting
When he came into the big show he con-
.inued his slugging habits. Smith has !
never had a great batting record. as to
agures but he is a timely hitter and one
of the most dangerous men In the Ma
tlonaI League. because Of the length Of
bis hits.
This, in short, means that in the com
Ing series Stallings has lost nothing on
the defensive. but a great deal on the
offensive.
stallings seems TO think that he was
reated unfairly when the Athletics re-
fused to let him practice at Shibe Park
n 2 o'clock today. However that may
ne stories printed in the New York
napers today, which state that Mack re-
fused them the privileges OF the grounds
ms moInirg are untrue. Mack gave the
braves 10 understand that they might
workout this morning whenever they
pleased but he did reserve the 2 o'clock
date for his own men.
The reason given by Stallings why he
wanted to work at 2 O'Clock was that he
wished his men to work when the sun
was shining on the park. lust as Il
would at the hour when the worlds
cries is to begin. Today there Is no
Itun. hence Stallings could have gained
vOthing BY going out at q any more
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