Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-27
CONNIE SAYS HE IS SAFE
satisfied Red sox Cannot Catch Up
with Him Now.
EXPECTS TO BEAT WINNER
Mack says We IL Not Worrying
over the Federal League, ~
re HAS signed Practically
All Hts Players.


PHILADELPHIA, Sept 2s-"The Red
sox may he playing better ball, but they
canno. overhaul my team said Connie
Mack. manager of the worlds champion
Athletics we lead the American league
by safe margin. Tho Athletics have
lost some games recently simply because
u surprising slump In batting. After
one or two men have hit safely the neces-
sary punch 10 bring them home hasn't
materiaized. But tho slump IL only tenn
porary The men will be hitting right up
90 their best form when they begin the
worlds series.
"Our pitchers arc In good shape Bender
and Plank have done better this year
than eyor before IN point Of winning per-
conthRe Bush and Shawkey also have
shown Improvement OF tho other pitch
srs think young Bressler, left-hander.
may prove the most successful IN time.
Bressler has learned rapidly and pos
sosses much natural ability. He will be
called upon frequently during the rest OF
the season. 10 that he may gain plenty OF
experience. I don't believe Il Ia necessary
10 talk about my reRulara They are Just
a. Formidable az year ago. They are
winning their fourth pennant In five
years and that achievement speaks for
itself"
McGrnw In same Mess.
"McBraw IL experiencing the same
trouble I had with the Athletics In 1912.
The Giants have won three pennants so
easily that they probably have been over
confident all season. They doubtless have
believed that no other team could outfoot
them. Maybe the motor car fever has had
something to DO with their failure to as
sumo commanaing lead.
Tn 1919 the Athletics had their pockets
filled with worlds series money. They
bought automobiles ana took life easy,
They we're sure that II would be n cinch
10 WITH another championship and they
didn't wake up until they found the Red
sox far ahead Of them.
"The trouble with ball players IN these
dAss Ia too much money and tendency
10 pay more attention TO outside recroa-
lion than to their duties on the field.
But tho Athletics. remembering what
happened IN 1913, have been exceptions
10 the rule this year They have at
tended strictly 10 business and thore Ia
no fault 10 find with them"
Mack 10 not worrying about the Federal
leagus. He signed practically all OF his
players for 1915. When Eddie Collins
eapltulated Mack was happy. II has been
rumored that Collins might jump 10 the
FedSi that no had received a big offer
from tho Wards ana had agreed 10 con
slider H. But when Mack was ready to
talk business the famous second baseman
showed hir gratitude by putting bis name
On paper.
Collins Opportunity.
II u hadn't been for Mack's willing
meas 20 try out Collins the latter probably
never would have gained renown. Grit
fifth and McGraw had refused TO expert
ment with the former Columbia student
before he was recommended To the Ath-
letics leader. Mack. therefore made Col
Inns. and Collins said he was entitled to
first call
tie strange thing that the Athletics
have not drawn tho usual attendance In
Philadelphia this year Mack says he
cannot account for II. other base ball
men seem 60 think that the lack OF In
tereat Il due to the superiority Of the
champions over the other American
league teams. Quaker fans have come 10
regard the winning OF worlds series
each year an n foregone conclusion. Yet
IN spite OF the falling off In gate receipts
Mack has kept the team going at top
spcsd. with tho result that business IN
other American league cities hAa been
greatiy reduced too.
Ire Thomas. one OF Maek's lleutenantu.
said that the Athletics would beat the
Braves In the worlds series. provided
SsAiiinss' men finished ON top. as eaaiiy
as they disposed Of the Giants last year.
Thomas seemed TO think that In the big
Eames the Athletics would hit the Braves
pstchers without experieneing much
trouble. while MaclS's boxnen would hold
the hennaafara aae.