Evening journal., 1914-10-24
Giants Good ENOUGH
JOHN N M'CRAW Thinks
Won't Be Much Change in
New York Machine
in 1915
CONTRACTS HOLD
STAR PLAYERS

Those who are looking for John
McGraw to burst up The 1914 Giant
machine and heave it into the scrap
heap are due for disappointment.
John may do a little tinkering here
and there but when the Giant ma
chine of 1915 gets into motion there
won't be very many new cOgs in its
makeup.
There are two reasons why the
Giants won't be reassembled entirely.
One is that McGraw feels that his
1914 outfit is good enough to grab
pennant If few weak Cogs are re-
moved and some new ones substi-
tuted. The ether reason is that
most of the 1914 regulars are hooked
up by iron-clad three-year contracts.
McGraw couldn't put his old stars
on the market and get value re-
ceived for them. He couldn't offer
| them for sale and find many ready
buyers because those who are in the
market for players don't want to pay
fancy price for the men and also
pay fancy salaries to the players for
the 1915 and 1916 season as would
be the case If they bought some Of
| the Giants.
The Giants pitching staff in 1915
won't look much different than II did
in 1914. Matthewson, Tesreau, Mar
/ guard and Demaree are attached to
the club by contracts thai still have
/ two years to run. McGraw wouldn't
! let Tesreau OF Matty go no matter
I what offer was made. He will keep
. Demaree because Steamer Al" looks
/ like a real pitcher and he will keep
Marquard unless some other club
makes him a most tempting offer for
the eccentric left-hander.
Contrary to the general belief, Nc
Graw isn't anxious 10 let Merquard
/ go. He figures that 1914 was "Rube's"
/ of year He recalls the fact that
nearly a dozen of the games that
"Rube" lost was not through any real
fault of "Rube's" but because the
Giants time and again failed to hit
behind him. A half dozen of "Rube's"
defeats were l to 0 or 2 to 1 af-
fairs.
when a pitcher loses games of
that kind II doesn't reflect on his
ability-it reflects on the lack Of bat
ting power behind him." declared
McGraw.
Ever since the middle Of July tn,
rank and file of fans have been "can
ming" Merkle. the Giants first sacker
Firing Merkle seems to be ne Of tn
annual ways the fans have of enter
tanning themselves, but unless Nc
Graw finds some star of the first waite
among his first basing recruits mex
spring, Merlxle will be back az his ole
station. McGraw thinks a lot Of Mer
kle's ability.
Doyle will be back at second mex
year. He slumped badly this year
! both in fielding and hitting, but Doyl
normally is a steady fielder and
slugger. Probably he will do a come
back in 1915.
Fletcher will be at short again
! Outside Of Maranville, Of the Braves
there is no better fielding shortstop il
the National League. Fletcher is
timely hitter and fast on the paths
McGraw regards him as one Of tn
most valuable players he ever had.
A stranger may be stationed a
third when the 1915 season opens
I Stock, the 1914 regular, is gool
fielder but weak with the stick. Eddi
Grant, the alternate, Is going bacl
) and cannot be looked on to hold dow
the job in regular fashion. McGray
has number Of recruits who are can
. didates for the job, but he wants L
get a seasoned player and may pu
. through some trade this winter tha
may land a third sacker for him.
The outheld will cause McGraw lit
tie worry. Burns will be back in left
that's certain. Snodgrass most likel,
will be center. For the right field job
McGraw can make his choice from
flock of recruits, in addition to Robert
son, Thorpe, Murray and BescheI
Murray and Bescher are nearl
through as big leaguers, but may shoy
a reversal Of form next spring tina
: will entitle them to jobs.
Behind the bat Meyers, Mclean an
j Smith will do the bulk Of the worl
I Meyers had a bad year, but McGra'
doesn't think the Indian is all in-h
thinks that he simply slumped an
Il will come back. Mclean is steady an
reliable. Smith. youngster brough
up from the Southern League, shove
great style during the last few game
/ of the season and may blossom int
! one of the best catchers in the leagu,
McGraw has about 10 young pitch
\ ers-and some old ones-to choos
( from 10 select the quartet of twirler
. who will act as second string" me
to Matty, Tesreau, Demaree and MAJ
= guard.
q So John, despite reports to the col
: trary, isn't worrying much aboI
. 1915.
| EMPLOYED BOYS EVENTS.