The evening times., 1914-03-18
& By Miller j. Huggins, Manager ST
Louis Cardinals

1t is not good form for a club man.
aErr to write about his teams pros
poets before the opening of the base
ball season, because should any mis-
hap occur that would mar the teams $
play during the campaign. certain
element of the fans will seize upon the
prophesies of the team manager and
taunt him by repeating day after day,
until in some cases the manager is
likely to become a mental and physical
wreck.
When johnny Evers wrote his "In-
side Baseball" one of the best stories
ever composed by ball player the
fans throughout the circuit chose
Evers for their mark. and until the
starry second sacker became almost
a physical derelict they continued to
pan him about Inside Baseball"
The trials and tribulations Of play
er or manager through the season are
monstrous enough without being
forced to withstand the scathing per-
sonal criticism Of some literary work
he has consented to write, upon re-
quest of the sporting editors, for the
benefit of the fans.
Induced to Tell Plans.
II finally consented to 66lige my friend
Billy Murphy With this story of the
Cardinals prospects for the coming
season, and If certain inconsiderate
people find anything herein to carp
about they are at liberty to do so to
their hearts content.
IT is my duty as manager to devote
all my efforts toward the construction
of a. winning ball club for St. Louis.
and I must say that failure on my part
to produce a winner will not be the
fault of the club owners. as they have
given me free rein and approved my
every suggestion.
] consider Mr.. Britton the most ca
pable club president in organized
baseball, and any ball player who
would not exert ali energy to aid him
in putting st. Louis at an altitudinal
height in the baseball world is the
worst sort Of a hypocrite.
Britton weighs every difficulty in a
judicious balance, and his keen inter-
probation Of all perplexities assures
the ball player all the consideration
and fairness his position warrants.
The deal made by Mr.. Britton with
the Pittsburgh Pirates, IN which we
obtained five good ball players for
Mowrey, Harmon, and Honey is, in my
major league club ever made.
s'o f.ess >AS ASSSAFSA W No AAA <AaeAe
trade will greatly strengthen the club,
while those sent to Pittsburgh should
aid Fred Clarke materially.
Robinson should prove valuable
running mate for Harry Sallee, and
gain for the Cardinals the reputation
Of having the best southua:w hurling
staff in the league.
Promising Spitballer.
Young Bill Doak 1 believe, is tho
most promising spitball pitcher in
either league. while Polly Perrit and
Dan Griner are Of real major league
calibre. Bill Steele. the big right
handler. did not show well last season
because Of his inability to get in con-
dition, but Steele has been training
faithfully since he was suspended. and
have every reason to predict that
he will have a banner season.
The pitching staff, which was one OF
the most difficult problems of the past
is now equal to those of most first
division clubs and 7 expect to he in a
position to give my attention to the
outfield and infield.
My catching staff, with Pat O'Con-
nor. Ivy Wingo, Snyder, Glenn. and
Roche, will be the best in either or
ganization, II the reports Of the abil-
ity Of recruits Glenn and Roche are
true.