Evening star., 1914-10-18

johnson, Notwithstanding that he had
an of year, won more games than any
other pitcher in the American League.
He is apt to display better form next
year. Shaw is the next best bet. while
both the left-handers, Bentley and
Harper, should be of service If Doc
Ayers can repeat in the form he dis
played early in the season he would
show that his good work last season
was not flash in the pan, for he fin
lshed very poorly.
No play made in the world series was
more discussed and criticised than the
intentional passing of Gilbert, who bat
ted for James in that twelfth inning
OF the third game last Monday. Gowdy
had opened this inning with a double,
and Gilbert, who was sent to bat for
the base runner up to third. was inten-
tionally walked. This, of course.
meant that if Moran. the next man up,
would attempt to sacrifice that play
would be made at third base. But had
TINS been successful, the Braves would
sun have had man on second, with
but one out, and would have been in a
position to score the winning run, pro-
vld1ng either of the two succeeding
batsmen could hit safely.
AS it was. Bush made a bad peg to
third on Moran's bunt and the game
was over. The reason for walking Gill
bert might be explained by arguing
that by putting him on first the runner
while if Gilbert had been allowed to
bunt the base runper going to third
would have had to be touched before
he could be retired
An obscure hero of the world series
was the veteran Fred Mitchell, who is
given credit by George Stallfngs of
haVlng developed his pitching staff.
In his day Mitchell was big league
pitcher, but when he went into the
minors he became a catcher. After
Stallings signed with Boston his first
step was to sign Mitchell and turn
his pitchers over to him. The won
derful work of Rudolph and James is
attributed to the coaching they receiv-
ed from Mitchell. Mitchell, of course,
received full share of the world
series money.
Stallings pays the following tribute
to the veteran. who is given much
credit for the Braves success:
president Gaffney told me to go
said Stallings. land the first man I
went after was Fred Mitchell. I want
ed to start with brains. We traded
and swapped until only few of the
old players were left. AT the end of
my first season in Boston we had fair
the job. Then came the opportunity to
get Evers The rest of it you all know.
Nobody but my players realizes
what a part Mitchell played in our
success. Though he came to us as
Fred devoted most of his time
to the pitchers while I coached the
.atchers. That was my old position
when 1 played ball, you know
Rudolph was a good pitcher when
he Joined US, but Mitchell made him
l better one; in fact, I believe he de-
veloped Rudolph from a good pitcher
into a great one. He took James. a
mere boy, and taught him how to use
mis- stuff You know what James did
this season. Tyler was another who
received the benefit of his coaching.
md right now he is putting Davis and
Strand through a process that Will
make them stars next season.
Mitchell can teach pitchers as good
half-balk motion as I ever saw THIS
season Tyler, Rudolph and James all
1eld runners close to first base by US
ne this motion. Fred helped James
With the spitball delivery. taught them
LII the value of good slow ball, ana
on the youngsters the vaiue
If mixing 'em up
Another thing: Mitchell has been
great help to me in preserving tne
spirit of enthusiasm and team WORK.
lie is loyaI to the club and popular
With the boys. In this series ms PIC
ure was not often flashed upon the
screen, but just the same ne was as
,aluable to me as he had been during
he regular season. Fred Mitchell has
| job as long as remain in base pail.