The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-18

q pOb MccScuktis ndNl1S ut-
 parted from St. Louis to the N> Rochester club in the International league, is causing the league to marvel Cavorting in right field, Messenger is thrilling the fans daily with wonderful catches and is causing them to rave with his timely wallops. Although Speedy Bob found it difficult to slug over the 300 mark in the Southern, he is hitting s2o to date.
 In the field Messenger has not fared so well, as his average is just 300. However hardly a day passes without Bob grab ping a liner at his shoestops or pulling down a high drive. Messenger has par ticipated in 29 games since leaving the Browns As usual most of his safe hits are singles, although ne has walloped five doubles, two triples and two homers.
 
 On the sacks. Bob has not yet attained his best form But seven bases have fallen to his string. However Messenger has been placed in the ead-off position, which acts as handicap to aspiring base stealers. From his entrance In the league the speed merchant has been get ting on base frequently. Although he has played in fewer games than almost any of the regulars, he is second in run-get- ting, having 2S tallies accredited to him in 29 games.
 The former Baron is favorite with the fans of Rochester. for he has annexed several close struggles with a timely wallop Three times this season he has thrown ambitious base runners out at the plate following long flies n bie fold very favorable fact is that Messenger is hitting harder at present than at any other time since his arrival. In the first 10 games, he hit at an average of only 200. News of Bob's success vii be re- ceived warmly by the Birmingham fans, for he was a distinct favorite here last year.
 Large William McGilvray, who was an important factor in winning the pennnant for Birmingham in 1912 is proving a mainstay with the willow for the Troy team in the New York State league. The cleanup position, which he filled &C., ceptably in his big years here, has been assigned McGilvray, and he is hitting with his usual regularity. The change | from the Southern seems to have resulted in his recovery of his batting eye. for McGilvray is walloping the pellet at a .294 clip.
 The big fellow has played in only 24 games this season. for he experienced a | slight injury at the opening of the year. | In SS times at bat Mack has hit safely l 26 times and has scored runs. The pace | of fast ball has told on Bill on the sacks | for he has pilfered but TOUT bases. But | in the field McGilvray seems to be getting | everything in his path. The big first l sacl1er has one of the best fielding aver | ages in the league.
 Away out on the Pacific coast the for | mer Barons are not faring with such striking success. Wee Willie Trough, the leading pitcher of the Southern in 1913, | is having difficulty in winning for the l Oakland club. The elongated pitcher is | just battling around the 500 mark, hav- ing won 5 and lost 6, and has been unable | to strike his natural stride, except in | one or two games. Trough Is considered | a warm weather pitcher, and his followers expect him to attain his best form about l the middle of June.
 Wee Willie has pitched mediocre ball for the most part. He has been driven from the box several tImes and has been batted hard in other battles. However, several other Southern feaguers are shar ing like fate. Earl Fleharty, who is a team mate of Clarence Smith at Venice, got away with a good start, but the dread of his bean ball passed resulting in several large hit games. He has won four and lost the same number. Rowdy Elliott is catching for the Venice club.
 Clarence smith, another consistent win ner in the Southern, is failing to star on the coast. The Venice club has a good pitching staff of experienced fingers, and the Birmingham boy is being held in reserve to serve as relief pitcher. He has opened the mound In only one game, but has pitched invincibly as relief pitcher. In few games he has pitched quite consistently, whiie fin others he has failed utterly to puzzle the opposition.
 The Pacific Coast league has a large roster of former Southern leaguers. In the circuit are: Pitchers Fleharty. Klaw itter Musser Love, West Fruit, and Yantz: infleldsr hntaihmtaihmtaihna Trough: catchers, Elliott, Hannah and Yantz: infielders. Abstein, Page. Leard and Hallinan; outfielders, Calvo. Rayless Zacher, Doane, Moran, Schweitzer, and Pinch Hitter Henry Meek As a rule the quandam Southerners are faring well.
 
 Monty Priest is proving the most versa tile player in the International league. The Birmingham youngster. shipped to Toronto by Muggy McGraw, Is hitting 1903 and has played almost every position on the club. Although the season is still young, he has played at shortstop. sec ond base and in the outfield Although the rangy youngster began the training season with New York at Marlin as 8 pitcher, he has not been used yet on the mound.
 Priest is not playing regularly He has participated in over 20 games but usually in the role of a pinch hitter or substitute runner He has proved almost consist ent as Ernest Walker in the pinch. Muggsy McGraw's need of a second base man for his Giant Yannigans in the spring was probably the cause of Priests con- version from a pitcher to an fnfielder. McCraw schemmed to land a second sacker for his youngsters. but failed. As Monty seemed to have all the needed qualities he was showed into the game at second and filled the role so acceptably that Toronto willingly purchased him.