Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-08

In more ways than one the series which
starts today between the Phillies and
Boston Red Sox is similar to the his
toric battle between the Athletics and
Giants in 1905, which resulted in a victory
for the New Yorkers in fve games, all of
which were shut-outs.
In the condition of TIE two pitching
STATS the parallel is strong. In 1905 the
Athletics looked like wonderful bet for
the worlds championship title until a
few weeks before the close Of the season,
when an accidetn deprived the team of
the services of the greatest southpaw
the game has ever produced, barring pos
sibly Eddie Plank.
In celebrating the clinching of the PEN
nant on the train returning from Boston.
"Rube" waddel and Andy Coakley were
cutting up when waddell fell and in
jured his shoulder. Medical experts were
called. but apparently there was noth-
the "Rube" insisted that 1t pained him.
Upon the return OF the team to this
city Waddell worked out at Columbia
Park, then the home of the Mackmen
and could get no speed on the ball. AS
the time for the series approached there
were many ugly rumors that Waddell did
not want to pitch and that he did not
care much whether the Mackmen won or
not.
At any rate, the series took place with
out Waddell on the mound in any of the
games and the Mackmen were beaten.
The following spring il was evident that
Waddell had really been badly injured
because he was never the same pitcher
after the accident
wonderful overland fast ball any pitcher
ever had. but in the spring of 1906 the
famous fast ball had lost its jump, and
his drop, marvel, refused to break as
fast.
Waddell pitched many unusual games
after that but he was never consistent,
and except on rare occasions did not
have the speed or fast-breaking drop ball
working properly.
In this respect Waddell is very much
like Smoky Joe Wood, the real star
Of the Red sox pitching staff.
Until 1t became certain that Waddell
would not be able TO pitch In the series
the Athletics were top-heavy favorites
because OF the presence of Waddell and
several fine young pitchers, one OF whom
was "Chief" Bender. When II was
known that Waddell would not pitch, the
confidence of the Giants increased and
the public also switched it's opinion as
to the probable outcome of the series.
With the Rex Sox and Joe Wood, 1t is
much the same. The Red Sox pitching
star is pointed out as being of wonder
full power, but I'm all the calculations Joe
Wood always stands out at the head OF
the list. Wood Is the veteran, the man
who has been through the mill, the brains
or the pitching stan, ana II Is TO him
that the rest OF the pitchers look for
success.
II Wood is the Wood OF old, he is likely
to give at least two wonderful exhibitions
OF twirlingi but II ne is not. will the effect
on the rest of the team be the same as
II was with the Athletics in 1867
Already in Boston the fans are begin
ming 70 doubt Woods ability 10 come
back In his old time form. He has pitched
many brilliant games this season, but
he has not been consistent, and just
when Carrigan began 10 believe that he
was back in shape tho rheumatic shoulder
started to bother him again.
Some OF the fans are inclined 70 be-
lieve that Manager Carrigan has been
nursing Wood along, but pitchers who
have been aroubled as Wood has declare
that II will take another season before
Smoky Joe" RECEIVERS. Chalmers had
similar trouble with his arm and he was
almost useless for more than two years.
Woods trouble dates back over q year
ago, and started with bad cold IN the
upper arm. This soreness gradually went
10 the shoulder and forced Wood 70 re-
main on the bench for almost the entire
season of 1914. but this spring he appar-
emily recovered entirely until he sudden
ly went wrong In june. After getting
back into the game for over two months.
Woods arm wetn wrong again. and since
that time II has not really been put to a
test. That Carrigan fears Wood Is not
In shape Is evident from the fact that
he did not use him on the mound at all
In the crucial series with Detroit two
weeks ago.
II Is no secret that the Philiies really
fear Wood. and there n good around
for the feeling. II "a also true that II II
becomes settled that Wood Is hors de
combat, TO the satisfaction OF the Philly
players early in the series. their conf
denco viii increase 20 per cent
Then there are Alexander and Mathew
son, two stars OF known quantity before
the opening OF the series In 1905 the
Maokmen figured that Matty would beat
them twice and really were allowing them
these games IN their plan OF baftle but
they were eure that he could not pitch
more than three salnea.
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