The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-16
: SIOUX CITY AT ST. JOE.

The 1914 season Of the Western
League Is about to abegin and the
various teams will face the starter
with many changes jq their lineup.
changes and to estimate the strength
OF the various organizations is merely
guess work. There were maAy star
players on the circuit last year, and
pr fssfer svsszSess,ns man went
and others may ReturA,s but II they do,
they will occupy the same place in the
heart Of the fans, as on former occa-
siOns. 80 s-se-f z q :
While many of these stars. who per-
formed SO creditably in the Western
League last year, are now members
of major or Glass IA teams, and 9TH
ers have become affiliated with the
Federal League, glance at the train
teams in the race indicate that q sue
cessful season is sure. Every team in
the league has recruits on the list who
promise to ably fill the shoes Of the
veterans who have passed up or down.
Denver Club Weaker.
The chances for a fight similar to
that of last season In which Denver
jumped out ahead Of the field and out
distanced all others are very remote.
Denver has been unfortunate in losing
many Of the star players who were on
the club last year and, apparently, the
these vacancies with men of the same
calibre- The Denver club also will be
handicapped by the loss of its crafty
manager, Jack Hendricks. This is not
to be taken as an attack upon the
ability of his successor, Jack Coffey,
but 1t must be admitted that Hen
bricks had exceptional ability and
there is but little doubt that he will
make a good showing at Indianapolis.
He was the class Of the Western
T ~iv ID he
ern League no damage to say that the
Denver club will not be as strong as
last year.
Jack Coffey, the new manager Of
the club. is q promising youngster. He
was the class of the league as a short
stop last season and this is his first
trial as a manager of a class A team.
Des Moines Club Doubtful.
Although losing Faber. Rogge, Mus
ser, Leonard and Sleight, the mana
gers of the Des Moines club appear to
have picked up a fine lot Of young
sters. Some Of the scribes Of the cir
cult acclaim this team to be stronger,
but this department cannot see 1t that
way. Salisbury. Spahr. Sheehan.
Gardiner and Slattery are now pitch
Isbelrs list and the Booster fans claim
that the trio of pitching stars which
has been lost will not be missed very
much. Isbell has several candidates
at third, including 1aSt yOungster,
McClelland, who is said to look as
promising as did Leonard year ago.
St Joseph Lost Many.
Some Of the scribes of the circuit
contend that the st. Joseph club il
strong, but II the opinion Of the VISIT
ing newspapermen with higher class
clubs during the training schedule, is
worth anything, the st. Joseph club
is not as strong as last year. The
writer's from Pittsburg and Minneap-
oplis claimed that St Joseph and Om-
aha did not look as good as the To-
peka club.
Holland lost Westerxil at third,
Zwilling and Joe Kelly in the Outfield
and Pitchers Boehler, Crustcher and
others which made q big hole in his
lineup. Holland thinks that in Wall
he has found an able successor to
Wcsterxil In Lefty Thomas. secured
a worthy substitute for 8Wil1ing. Only
fielder who has been playing in higher
shoes although he II q veteran. George
Watson will be in left field. 1t is con-
tended that the pitching staff has been
by the addition OF Parks,
Adams, Bell and Mcdonald. Watson
should add strength to the second
base position.
Indians Said To Be Stronger
The strength Of the Sioux City club,
is said to be 100 per cent greater than
last year. and If this is true the Pack
ers will be . champion contender.
However. We cannot see where the