New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-30
StalIings's Club Is OF to
a Running Start in
1916 Race.
WILL COME STRONG
WITH MAGEE BACK
Appears To Be in Better Shape
for Hard Grind than Its
Rivals.
By FRANK O'NEiLI..

sror, or an unprecedented rUH OF MS
fortune could prevent the Braves from
winning IN the National League this
year: and. after watching his team in
action, one is constrained 10 believe
that ri. confidence is not based on
chimeras.
Baseball teams. like chains. are only
rs strong ss their weakest links; but, IN
looking over the team which is repre-
senting Boston in the National League.
one fails 70 discover any spots when
might be termed unstable.
From the pitchers box 70 the out
field positions Stailings has surrounded
himself with an array Of talent when
may we'll command the respect OF all
rivals. The Braves are IN condition 20
60 right along; and. while the loss OF
Sherwood Magee may cause some tenn
porary sIackening in pace. the'slugging
outhelder probably will be back in the
game before any of the rival clubs have
a chance 20 open up a great LEAD
The impossible weather is the only
thing that worries Stalings these
days. Training at Miami nc had moth
ing but sunshine and tropical weather
10 contend with. Everything was too
favorable. in fact. The pitchers
rounded into their best form IN the
middle of March and were curying the
ball when the twirlers in the other
camps were still lobbing it up 10 the
plate.
So it happened that the Brave bat
ters accustomed themselves 70 facing
real pitching far in advance Of the
others.
But out Of the sunshine and heat
they have come up here into the rain
and cold. and the raw winds Of the
still-frozen East Some OF the men
have suffered as result. and others
NAV: but with a speedy return OF the
missing sprlngtme the Braves hope 70
drive ahead, to accomplish right from
the first month that which they accom-
plished in the closing weeks of the sea
son two years ago.
The Brave Pitching STAT.
Following a time honored custom we
will start with the pitchers; and GER
tain IL is that Boston is well supplied
with them. There Is Dick Rudolph, the
perennial mainstay Of the Braves, one
of the great triumvirate which twirled
the team to the worlds championship
in 1914.
George TYLER. the southpaw. is an
other Of that trio who is going along
in full swing thus far. Tom Hughes
nay be regarded as fixture.
Baron knetzer, once Of the Brooklyn
Superbas, and later Of the Pittsburgh
Rebels. is another moundsman VINO VIII
be Of service.
The most encouraging feaure OF the
training trip was the work OF Jess
Barnes, a young pitcher who BIDS falr
10 win fame. Barnes has about every
thing in the world, and should be IN
there in his regular turn. Then there
are Nehf, Allen, Pat Raglan. I'd Reul-
bach and George Davis 10 fight II out
for place when the tinal reduction IS
made this week.
Riu James is n possibility for the
Braves. All reports point 10 com
plete recovery by the former star OF
The team. II he can accomplish full
fedyed com eback he will be more than
welcome; for there is none 10 contest
the fact that Bill ia possessed OF VIZ
ard-like skill in manipulating the ball.
konetchy a Find.
Ed konetchy has taken the place OF
Charley Schmidt at first base and Dos
ton is the gamer. Honey IS clever
fielder; not the equal OF DauDe'.. ma.
Chase or Fred Merkle, perhaps, pnt on
earnest. hard worker. He IS natural
hitter vino should range along at about
o85 or .290. II the pitchers only serve
him with enough fast balls he should
90 several points higher. He has al
wsys experienced trouble in meeting,
curve. and il is said that most OF the
National League pitchers are aware OF
the fact. IL,
The rest OF the Boston inheld VIII
stand I'D in comparison with any IN the
National League.
Johnny Evers, the famous Trojan
needs no introduction 10 the fans. ne
mas long been recognized az one OF the
shrewdest. heenest strateglsts IN the
game. The play has yet 10 come up
Tor which Evers failed 20 md the Key
end he acts almost as quicA!y as ne
thinks.
Maranville and Smith. at snortstop
and third base. respectively, measure
I'd 10 major league standards IN ever!
respect Msranyille IL not the nsrdes.
hitting short fielder IN the game; ouD
his skill a, fielding more than onSe'S
his weakness at the bat
Smith is not only q skiliul neldef ana
superatiyely game. but he IS haru'
dangerous hitter. That Smith does not
rank high in the averages IS due 10 me
fact that he fnds it Impossible 20 MT
any place but 20 left field. Red almost
smputstes the legs OF the thlrd osse-
nnr during The season: bat they play
away over near the bag for MIN anu
nail his liners before .hey drop.
4 Great Outheld.
When such a capable Quite der as
Joe Connolly aGorns the oencn IL Is
4 pretty fair testimonial 10 the shi!I
% the other men playing the posi-
lions. Sherwood Magee started out
with a flourish Of trumpets. he IS IN
better condition no. than ne has been
Tor wears. for Percy d. Haughton gave
him 70 understand IN forceful language
that II was up 70 him 10 play real
baseball or quit.
Magse will be back there right soon.
He is one OF the best in the ma or
Leagues. hitting. fielding and throwing
considered. Compton and Wilhoit are
two fast. aggressive players. VINO are
showing 20 good advantage -.
Hank Govdy will play better ball
this year than ever, IT IS thought. he
~ mighty efficient. sort OF Dali
PLAYER. this Gowdy. lie can handle
the pitchers. IS good judge OF the
hit,ers ard can throw well Iragres-
sor is another capable catcher and one
vino j, we'll thought Of BIZ the players.
II there IS any team IN the league
70 de,hrone the Phillies II will be
the Braves. The Boston outfeld IS az
least as powerful as that OF the cham
pions, and l. is our opinion that It