The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-11

Mote: This is the tenth of a series of
big league baseball articles The next
of the X. C.-Newark Feds.l
ST. Louis, Mo, March 11.-With the
hope of developing a first baSeman
and third sacker from among the
spring lineup of bushers, Manager
Branch Hickey of the Browns took his
squad of 81 men to Houston, Texas, to
begin the spring training. Hickey is
confident that his team will make
better showing in the 1915 campaign
than was made last year. His reason
is developed from line of philosophy
Earl Hamilton and Walter lev
erenZ can't be worse than they were
in 1914 he said, land therefore 1
can't see how we're going to be any
worse than last year. Now, with the
holes plugged, and the two pitchers
back in reasonable form, the Browns
are certain to be an improved team.
The other teams of the circuit have
no such prospects for Improvement
to back predictions of Improvement.
Therefore, how can the Browns fail to
show to better advantage in their
company"
And under the fire of "if'' and pre-
sumings," none but echo could answer.
And echo only murmered an aWesome:
How indeed?"
The leap of Jimmy Pepper Austin,
quondam Sunday manager of the
Browns, to the Pittsfeds, left the gap
is a serious defect in the phalanx. His
determination to transform Jack
Leary into a catcher will leave anoth-
er void at first. OF course, there is
Sam AgneW, veteran of uncounted
major league combats, still depend
able behind the bat; but Hickey is be-
ginning to believe Sans ability is only
good for short time more. The
catcher's fingers even now belle his
winter vacation.
Agnew lets it be understood that he
and Bert ShOtten ran a, farm at Bis
mark, Mo-, during the winter. But
/ those who have gaZed on his curly
digitS are suspicious. Sam, it is rumor-
ed had been teaching sign language
in German mute institution. At any
rate there is basis fo-' the rumor in the
conditions of Sans fingers.
George Baumgardner, one of last
years regulars, is expected to do reg
ular duty again on the mound, aided
by the lefthanders, Hamilton and
Leverenz, and Grover Laudermilk &C
quired from Louisville. Pitcher Perry,
of Atlanta, also is looked upon as a
good prospect for hillwork and Out
fielder Lee, who comes to st. Louis
from the Athletics is expected to be
dependable in one of the outer works.
The Browns will arrive here after
their training in time for a spring Sc
ries with the Cardinals to begin on
March 81.
Cardinals Not Hopeful.
! Perhaps because their showing last
year was better than any they had
made in recent years, perhaps just be-
| cause the Federal raids shot great
/ gaps in their organization, the Car
dina1s are not as optimistic as the
| Browns. With Leopold Hoernsche-
myer, autoist, leaper and outfielder,
absent from the lineup the Cards ex-
/ pect to scurry busily during the
training trip to develop a substitute.
/ Acknowledgement, who as Lee Magee,
officiated everywhere except behind
the bat and in the box has achieved
/ considerable criticism from the
scribes favorable to organized base
ball but there is no denying his value
to the Cardinals in the 1914 season.
Ham Hyatt of Pittsburgh will be tried
in Magee's pasture but is not expected
to make good enough to become
steady. Other blows to the Cardinals
were the loss of Pitcher Perritt and of
Catcher Ivy Wingo, who though not a
Fed any more is out of the Higgins
fold. Cincinnati will hold Wingo this
year. Higgins will take Is men south
/ He says he needs only a pitcher and a
hard-hitting outfielder.
Feds in Havana.
The St Louis Feds are getting their
unkinking in Havana after a little pre-
/ Iiminary boiling-out at Key West, Fla.
Manager Fielder Jones, a stern advo-
cate of the pruning blade, has re-
duced his squad to 90 players and al
LEGGED players, five of them pitchers
THE curvesmiths. Eddie Plank, Bob
Groom, Dave Davenport. Otis Crandall
Edge Willett and Pitcher Marshall late
of the Phillies with their boss had a
week 5 training at Key West before the
others of the squad under Secretary
Willis Johnson arrived at Key West.
Indications are that the Feds in
field will greet the seasons opening in
this manner: 1b. Borton; 2b, Bride
we'll; 3b. Deel; SIS. Ernie Johnson; If.
Marsans if allowed to play. He probably
will draw one of the outer acres. Ward
Miller and Johnny Tobin are slated for
the other two Outfield jobs.