New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-06
Path of the Giants to Fourth
Pennant Seems Clear
and Straight.
CHANCE HAS YANKEES
IN GOOD CONDITION
Superbas. Too, Look Ready Tor
the Real "Play Ball Now
Only One Week Away
By Herbert.
By Herbert.

Only One week away
BY Herbert.
WHY so backward about eNp'eSs.Is q"
opirion as 20 where the Giants VIII ""-
isb in the National League pennan' rdoe
this vear?" was the query whlch came "
my desk few days ago. To oe irahN'
did NO, realize that there had been any
boldlne off Reference has been naue
r,,-,ber If times 10 the team ana us
chances but If il is necessary 10 put my
self on record once more no hesl'd"CE 10
felt in saving that the Giants shou.u
neat and that John J. McGraw shou'u
earn the distinction of being the hrst
major league manager 10 win four pen
nants in succession.
Pads made by Federal League owners
in the National League preserve nave
affected New York less seriously per-
hans than any other club which could be
considered a contender. Crandah, pitcher
and pinch hitter. and Wilson. catcher'
Jumped 10 the outlaws. but their absence
viii not be seriously felt 'Ilily Snal-
or's detection. which leaves more OF
loss vawning gap at third base. may turn
out 10 be fatal, but he gave up baseball
because Of the fear Of a few more gray
hairs or because the life was DIT TOO
strenuous and he was not weaned away
bv the outlaws close friend or Jonn D.
NcGraw. who has Just returned from
Texas. where the Giants have been train
ing. tells me that the little Napoleon has
set his heart on using Snodgrass at third
base 10 the end that advantage may be
taken OF his batting. while providing
place in the outfeld for Bob Bescher'
one OF the leading base stealers In base
ball. Failing that, however. Stock or Id
die Grant will be assigned 10 the JOB
probably the latter, on account Of his
greater experience.
Apart from third base, the Giants are
quite as strong as if not stronger than
year ago. The pitching STAFF looks re-
markably effective, with Matty. Mar
guard, Tesreau and Demaree TO bear the
brunt of the fight. while Larry Mclean
proved in the worlds series last October
That he is prepared to furnish big
1hief Meyers the necessary support be-
hind the bat George Burns is bound to
improve in left field. following the ex-
Derience gained last season. while
Bescher and Murray. or Snodgrass and
Murray. insure the outer works being
we'll fortified Little need be said con-
corning Merkle at first, Larry Doyle at
second and Arthur Fletcher at short.
They are not the best infielders in the
land. but close enough TO the standard
10 leave little cause for worry.
Unless that third base problem turns
OFT 10 be q dangerous handicap, the
Giants then are quite as strong as o year
ago. whereas the Phillies. VINO finished
second last season, have been almost cut
70 pieces by the Federals, and on paper
DO not seem worthy Of much considera-
ton. The Pirates and cubs also have
suffered more or less, and while baseball
IS uncertain. the opposition does not look
20 formidable as in 1873. so that the path
81 the Giants 10 another pennant seems
reasonably safe and clear
u strikes me that Fred Clarke and his
Pirates will be the ones 70 tread most
closely on the heels Of McGraw and his
men, while indications point 10 the Bos-
ION Braves and the Brooklyn Superhas
lighting their way into the first division.
This will leave Chicago, Philadelphia.
Cincinnati and st. Louis 10 sprawl around
for places in the second flight The
cubs have lost Johnny Evers and are
under new management, and while some
critics point 20 the fact that the pitching
staff IS strong, II strikes me as nothing
over which 10 grow enthusiastic Charley
Herzog, who will be missed by the Giants.
may work wonders with the Cincinnati
Reds because OF his natural aggressive
ness, but he has hard problem 10 solve,
and on paper cannot be accorded a par
ticulsrly prominent place George
Stallings did wonders with the Braves
last season, and with Johnny Evers TO
keep the inhelders on their toes and a
'"'ot Of young. ambitious players there is
every reason 70 believe that they will he
in the running from the drop Of the flag.
Frank Farrell. owner OF the Yankees.
nus 90 F'ttSFN ttiyiN AAidH SfvfVJ SINCE last
summer IN providing material for Frank
chance 10 build up a team The PLAYERS
looked mighty smart IN that ten-innlng
came against the Superbas or Thursday
IN spite Of the damp. raw weather. and
even better in the next two struggles and
IL IS hoped that the fans will be justified
in lending their support this seasons
support which Is we'll deserved. even Il
the team does not dsht its way 20 Tn,
first division
WilDert Robinson plainly has inspired
me 5uperoas and brought them Nortt
on Wednesday, II looks and actions count
FOR anything In condition 10 make q
good start II TIE pitchers stand up. IN,
Brooklyn team. as now constituted, vii
axe lot o. beating The men have
been acting more wide awake on Tho
bases and showing disposition 20 take
fun advantage Of instructions in the finer
points % inside play which Robinson
fresh from the school u NcGrsw. Ia.
been giving. Brooklyn will have clever
helding team and hard hitting team
unless all signs point awry.
Peckinpaugh n playing sensational ball
~ short field for the Yankees and bids
fair ka