Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-18
ST. LOUIS TEAM
Is CONFIDENT OF
WINNING FLAG
Fielder Jones Doing Great
Work as Manager-Pitch-
ing Method Is Changed
SISLER PLAYING WELL
BY SPICK HALL

Fielder Jones and his band of breez-
ing Browns were distinctly disappointed
that they were not able to take both
games Of yesterdays double-header from
the Athletics Still, the defeat which
Joe Bush handed Eddie Plank in the first
game did not take any confidence out of the
men, so far as the ultimate result is con-
cerned
The st Louis players admit they will win
the pennant, regardless OF the fact that New
York. Chicago Boston and Cleveland arc
still represented in Ban Johnsons league.
The long string of victories, % out OF 81
atter yesterdays games, has put n spirit
into the Browns that has never been there
before They are so confident of winning
that II is doubly hard for any club to beat
them. They have confidence in their indivld
ual ability, in their teammates and in their
manager.
Acclimated to Jones
One might say that 1t took the Browns
some time to get "accllmated" to Fielder
Jones. In fact, several of the players were
afraid of him. not in physical way, but
mentally they were somewhat cowed by his
frequent air of reserve.
Jones is really very affabe. except when
tho Browns have had a bad losing streak
Hence one sees Immediately that his dspo-
S'NiOi CT lllc ITeStnl time DelO1ES TO Ine
'than-whch-th s-none-bet class.
One OF the reasons why II took the
Browns some time really to know their
manager was because they did not get
his methods quickly. His style Of play in
all departments of the game is radically
different from that taught the players by
Branch Ricley last year and by the man
ayers under whom the others played.
1t took Jones long time to get the
pitchers working just as he wanted them,
but he finally lined them up to perform his
way and 1t has proved to tC the victorious
way
Likes Slow
The slow bail is one Of Jones's hobbies.
He does not want any of his pitchers to
use II because II Is a fad of his, but be-
cause he really thinks that 1t is one of
the most effective balls in the game. Jones
should know, because he managed the White
Sox through n winning campaign in 1906
and ended a perfect year by giving the Cubs
a severe lacng.
Eddie Plank has been using his slow ball
a great deal. His fine control enables him
to put the ball just In spot where II will
be tantaltzlng to the batsman, because of
its sowness. but where the hitter will not
get a healthy swing at It.
Yesterday Plank did not pitch more than
a dozen curve balls, and in some of his nota-
BILE victories of the recent past he has used
as few as three and four curve balls, de-
pending entirely on his slow ball and his
cross-tre.
Jones's other pitchers have taken UP the
slow ball and have done wonders with it.
Those of his hurlers who have good con-
troll and most OF them have, have been
getting away with game after game by maxi
ing their opponents hit at bad balls.
Like many other managers, Fielder Jones
appears to be confident enough that his
t.aaVV lNuFtN kA W.gNN
say so in plain words and figures. In the
matter OF comparative strength between the
Browns and the other clubs of the league
Jones is also reticent. However. he did say:
II think that the club that beats the Red
Sox out will win the flag I don't know
whether we will do 1t or not but 1 see no
reason why we should not continue going
we'll and staying up near the top, for all of
the boys are giving their best efforts. are
taking the game seriously and have the win
ming confidence"
Jones is not of the driving McGraw type,
nor does he have the smooth methods OF
Connie Mack to get the best out of his play
ers. He is sometimes one and sometimes the
other, depending on the man and on given
conditions. When the time comes for him
to rake n player over the Goals he does 1t.
on the other hand If he thinks that a more
gentle method will get better results he
employs that.
Sisler Shines in Pinches
George Slsler, who has replaced Jack MIL
Ter at first base for the Browns is playing
good in the field and is doing
n lot of hitting in the pinches. He has
driven in run after run in the ST. Louis
recent drives against the other seven clubs
Of the league, and he is apparently getting
better all the time with the stick.
Sisler hits left handed and seems to
have the happy faculty of being able to
put all of his best efforts in his work at
the time when II is most needed by his
team. For instance, three two-base hits |
which Sisler has got within the last |
three weeks have come at a time when the |
bases were full. Those safe blows meant |
.hree games for the Browns. He has driven |
N other runs by this timely swatting, but |
with few men on the paths.
IN the sixth inning OF the first game |
the round in which the Browns |
scored their first run Sisler singled In |
he eighth. when they passed the Athletics
~ making two, Sisler drove in one with a
ripple to the right-center field wall.
In the field Sisler is saving his infield
mates many errors a game.
Neither Johnny Lavan nor Jimmy Austin
S doing very accurate throwing, but they
10 not have to when Siser is at first He
axes them with one hand high. at either
de and picks them up out Of the dirt
when the all takes all kinds OF queer
lops. on the whole, he is a very valuable
'layer and one far superior to the much
alked-of Hornsby.