The Washington herald., 1914-04-05

viii have observed that the Boston
pitchers. as a rule. do not get into their
best stride as rapidly as those on some
of the other clubs. The Boston climate, 1
believe. in the early spring has a great
deal to do with this
Jimmie" McAleer boasted, when the
Red Sox returned from their training
trip last spring. that he had brought back
the best conditioned pitching stan and
ball club ever prepared in a training
camp. Wood looked like a wonder in his
practice games in the warm and sunny
South, yet with the start Of the regular
season he got away bad. and was never
he Smokey Joe" Wood he was in 1872
American Leaguers tell me that he fire.
quently complained OF a pain in his side.
and perhaps It was appendicitis. for
which he was operated on recently. TAX
ing hold there that kept him back. But
really believe that the abrupt change
Of climate from Hot Springs and the
South to Boston had as much to do with
it as anything else. know how a sud-
den cold snap affected the New York
pitchers last spring after coming up out
Of the warm South.
Boston Bad for Pitchers.
Climate can do a good deal toward MAX
ing OF breaking pitcher. in MY estima-
q
ton club plays half of its games with long
stands at home, while the visiting teams
do not spend more than four days at the
outside there. Even in that short period.
I notice II IL our club runs into a spell
of bad weather when 1t is scheduled to
play there.
Connie" Mack once said that the st.
Louis and Washington teams are under
a handicap because of the intense heat
In those two cities, and that they need
20 per cent more strength than any other
club to take q pannant In those towns.
That may be true, but /, myself. be-
lieve 1t Is possible for q man to pitch
better In Washington and st. Louis.
where the weather gets warm earlier
in the spring and remains mild later in
the fall. than in towns further North.
think that the Washington climate Is
well suited to Walter johnson. because
heat keeps a man from getting stiffened
up. Let any twirler work up a good
sweat in raw wind and then lay OF
between innings. no matter how much
he wraps up his arm, the rest Of his body
Is bound to be chilled. and II affects his
whip.
of course. johnson would have been
a wonder pitcher anywhere he performed.
but 1t has helped him some, as II would
help any twirler, to work in the city
where the thermometer rides high most
Of the baseball season. II Tesreau, OF the
Giants. could play on a team where he
would get good. consistent warm weather
from the opening of the season. he would
be one Of the marvels OF baseball Big
JeS never really gets going right until
the fans are in their shirt sleeves.
Dfssensfon Hurts Team.
AS for the rest of the Red sox, dissen-
sion, as I have said before, has been
largely responsible for the decay. The
team starts this season whit he same
outfeld which was on the club when It
wen the worlds championship, but the
infield has been altered. The club Is
shy first and second baseman. There
Is some talk Of moving Charlie Wagner,
really the key Of the infield, over to play
second. but In my opinion that would
be a mistake. since he looks Ike one
OF the most natural shortstops have
ever seen, and is invaluable to a club
in that position The catchers remain,
but Wood. who has been laid up on
account OF his operation. and who will
be late In stating anyway; Bedient. and
Collins are the only veteran pitchers left.