Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-02
RICHTER DIAGNOSES BROOKLYN CLUB
BROOKLYN, BEST-BALANCED TEAM IN 1915,
DOES NOT LOOK LIKE SERIOUS CONTENDER
Pitching Staff Is Bet
ter, but Must Be
Handled Differently
This Season

In Justice to Robinson It should be
stated that he apparently did not have a
strong pitching staff when the 1915 sea-
son opened, and he may have ruined his
stan trying to keep the team in the race
believing that the staff could not last and
that he owed It TO his employers to keep
the team in the race for few months so
that II would draw well.
As a developer Of pitchers Robinson has
few superlors, and II he had exercised as
good Judgment In working them as In de-
veloping, he would have been more sue
cessful. He developed Dell, Smith and
Appleton, three nue young pitchers, all OF
whom should be stars this season.
Staff Is Stronger
The rest Of tho pitching staff also will
be far stronger than at the start of the
1915 season Robinson will have Cheney
Pfeffer, Dell, Appleton, Coombs. Preste
Goodbread and Colwell right handlers. and
Smith, Marquard, Rucker and Mails
southpaws He intends to carry eight
twlrlers, and should be able to select
great corps from the above
Last season Cheney reported to the
Cubs in poor shape and was dissatisfied.
Consequently his work was not up to the
usual standard If he reports in shape he
is certain to star again and will surely be
a regular Tho same can be said of Pfef-
fer a great pitcher; Dell and Appleton.
right handlers, and Smith and Mails,
southpaws.
Little Is known of the latter in the East,
but he was n wonderful pitcher in the
Northwestern League. and six scouts Of
fered the Seattle Club n large price for
him. Brooklyn had an option on him for
two seasons. however. making It lmpos-
sibe for another team to get him. He
pitched Seattle to a pennant, and Is a
1a1 YNhp te ynl, e.,
explode.
Coombs, Rucker and Marquard are un-
ccrtanties. If all should make good two
of the above mentioned hurers would
have to be dropped but there Ia little
likelihood of more than one of this trio
coming through.
Are Going Back
There will have to be complete reversal
of form on the part of Ruclter If he is to
stick This famous hurler lost most
of his stuff" last season, and was ef-
fective against only the Giants and Cubs.
Rucker may recover his fast ball and star
again. but chances are decidedly against
1t. Marquard is in the same position. He
never had a very good curve ball. and
last season lost the hop on his fast ball.
without 1t he is a mark and it Is eX-
tremely hard for a veteran to regain his
fast ball after losing It,
Jack Coombs pitched excellent ball for
the first half of the 1916 season. although
It was apparent that he was pitching with
his head more than his arm. Ccombs'
long illness caused him to lose his famous
fast ball, which was once terror to
American League batsmen. He had fine
curve ball and his control was good but
after one swing around the circuit he lost
his effectiveness. Local fans hope that
Coombs will return to his old time FORM
as he can hardly hope to get by again on
what he had at the close of last season.
Brooklyn apparently has strengthened
and has n chance to win the pennant II
the weak spots are plugged In satisfac-
tory manner-if Robinson works his pitch
ers right and the team is favored by the
breaks. There are many ifs to be over
come before the Dodgers look as strong
as several other teams