Evening journal., 1914-11-23
ROCKIES MAY GET
With THE Giants
Merry Scramble for the
Third Base Position is
Expected
ANOTHER GOOD
TWIRLER NEEDED

There has been a great deal writ
ten OF late about McGraw tearing up
his present team to tid-bits and
building up new club from the
bottom. Shortstop doubts very much
II anything like that will hapnen
lie is OF the opinion that the Giant
leader will start another Campaign
with the old guard. with perhaps a
change here and there, and remodel
ed batteries.
Though the Little Napoleon has
much infieid material, il is doubtfui
II any of the regulars will lose out.
with the possible exception of the
third base position. Hoeke. the
young lad from Seattle. may depose
Fred Merkle. but il would be con
trary TO McGraw's methods to put
the newcomer to work without first
grinding off his rough edges on the
Long Branch detail.
Both Merkle and DOYLE slipned
back perceptibly last year Both fell
away of in their hitting, and DOYLE
was not covering the ground like the
Laughing Larry of old, but the fact
remains that both players l-e still
great deal better than any bushers
which may be picked up.
/ However, there still remains a
good chance for these two players to
| get back to their old batting stride.
Both are still under 80. Doyle be-
lieyes that osteopathic treatment of
his right arm and shoulder will en-
able him to be himself again.
McGraw has a splendid understudy
J for Doyle in Brainard, a recruit from
! Dallas, who is touted as being a re-
| gular find. The Giant chieftian took
! the trouble to look over this young
ster himself and labeled him o. K.
Art Fletcher seems to be the only
inhelder who is absolutely sure of
| his job, but there will be q merry
| fight on for third base. Little Milton
/ Stocks work last season was a trihe
disappointing. after his fine start in
the spring. However, / regard him
| as fine young player. and prefer
him to the veteran Grant, despite
/ Harvard Eddie's superior work with
the stick last season.
Kores, who was drafted from Port
land. may succeed in winning the
third-base job, as he has made a
! splendid record on the coast and
was easily the star third baseman
of the Pacific Coast League last sea-
son. There is also a chance of Nc
Graw trying to convert a third base
man out of Brainard
| There does not seem to be much
chance OF any change in the outfield,
and Bescher. Snodgrass and Burns.
who finished in the outposts last
season. are again likely to get first
reserve and Robertson, a doubtful
asset.
In Burns McGraw has the star out
fielder of the National League, and
he only lacks a little batting ability
TO place him in the Speaker class.
Bescher was great disappointment
last year as a fielder and a GUNNER
of plays. though he is fair batsman
and a great base-runner. Snodgrass
is just fair ball player, who might
improve a lot if'he changed his dis
position.
Robertson batted like a Cobb for
about two weeks, and then Demon
Dave descended from his lofty perch
with the speed of a comet in its
fight. However. the Virginia horse
doctor has natural ability to hit,
though he never will be Murray in
the field, and IL he would take base
ball more seriously he may still de-
velop into one of the great hitters in
baseball.
If Thorpe is ever to develop into
a regular ball player he must show
Il next season. The club has been
carrying him around for two sea-
sons, and if lie does not show next
year he must be passed up. Sandy
l. Enn hoca rnnnpr and
though he batted 400 by appearing
in a few games at the end Of the
season, his ability to hit is ques-
toned.
McGraw is likely to make his big
gest changes in the clubs batteries,
and If Harry Smith, the find from
Savannah, shows any of the stun he
flashed late last season, he is likely
to find himself first catcher. Meyers
fell off a great deal at bat last sea-
son. though Ivy Wingo was the only
big league catcher to better his aver
age Of 2S2.
Jack Adams, who was with Cleve-
land when only 10 years old, is also
expected to produce, as he had a fine
season in New Orleans. Hickory
Johnson had little to do last season
ana did not show much when he got
his chance, and he is rot likely to
stick. Mclean may also find him
self on the shelf if both Smith and
Adams make good. Marshall from
the Three / League. must also be
considered, as he packed a 400 punch
, in his society last season.
There will be plenty of opportunity
for any young pitchers who have
anything to horn in for regular jobs
on the Giant pitching staff. as Nc
, Graw is giving his staff great deal
/ of attention. The new staff must be
built around Tesreau, as Matty, after
fine start last season, receded fast
, toward the fall and he can no longer
be asked to look after forty games
and show at his best.
Whether Marquard is through
must be decided next season. The
Rube was in a frightful slump when
he lost twelve straight, but he came
back strong in one Of his closing