The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-05

L.
Manager Gear brought a smile with
him which covers his entire face. He
has had all his players signed for sew
eral weeks, and with a good array OF
talent, there is nothing to be expected
but a first division berth and the best
season i'll baseball ever experienced In
Topeka.
This optimistic manager is highly
pleased with the schedule for the COM
ing season and thinks the Topeka CLUB
was treated as we'll as any other club
on the circuit. Gear favored short
schedule but owing to the shortened
season, he is not displeased with the
schedule of 1913 games. His objection
to the schedule Of last year was not
on account Of the number of games
but because the season extended over
through the bad weather which was
experienced during the latter part of
September and early part OF October
which cut the attendance to the point
Of at least a $4,000 loss to the man.
agement.
Carlos Smith Will Not Report.
Dale Gear brought but one little bit
of disappointing news on this trip. In
mentioning this, he reported that
Carlos Smith would not report, The
smuggling outflelder suffered q twisted
knee joint while with the club last
fact, Smith fears that he never will
entirely recover from it's effect
Gear feared the result of Smiths
accident and protected himself by
signing Riggs. an outfielder who was
with the Philadelphia Athletics four
years ago and who has since been a
terror in the Southern league. He Is
not q youngster nor is he an "old
head" He is about % or 80 years
old and Manager Gear says that he
will hit we'll above the 300 mark and
make good man in the Kaws sun
feld.
FOrsythc and Tallion to FIJI Up.
The other positions in the outfield
will be filled by Tallion and Forsythe.
The latter needs no introduction as
he was with the club. last season. 1t
was not generally known. but For
sythe played his first year in the out
field while with the Kaws last year.
He will improve by reason of expert
ence and Manager Gear says there
Is no doubt but that he will go to the
major leagues again this fall. For
gythe has been up two times-once
with the New York Giants and the
other time with the st. Louis Cardi-
mails. Both trips to the big show were
made as a first baseman. His failure
to stick on these occasions Is what
caused him to quit first base for an
outf1eld position. and he made good
during his first seasons experience.
Tallion comes from the Michigan
state league and is highly recon-
mended.
He was one of the fastest men on
the circuit and one OF the leading hit
tiers. The Topeka club drafted him
upon the recommendation of the De-
troit club. The Detroit club expected
to draft him but a misunderstanding
Of technicalities robbed them of the
chance, so President Navin appealed
to Manager Gear to help him in nego-
tiating the situation. This youngster
il said to be a sensation and is expect
ed to hit 800 or better. If he comes
up to expectations. the entire outfield
will be in the 800 class.
One Change ON Inf1eld.
The infield will be made up OF
Koerner at first, Dowd at second. Joe
French in the shoFtfield and George
Cochran at third. The fans need NJ
introduction to any Of these men ex-
cepting Dowd. He was in the New
England league last year and wa
among the leaders as a second base.
man. He hit 500 and had q fielding
average of .S26. He il q fast youngstel
and uses lots Of good judgment. He II
highly touted. The Detroit manage
n1ent saw him in action and thought
% well Of his performance that Presi'