Evening star., 1916-04-09
WHITE S0X READY
Manager Rowland Undecided
Between Two Line-Ups.
RIGHT FIELDER is IN DOUBT
Tex Russell May Pitch Opener.
Team May Be Favorite
in Race.
BY I. E. SANBORN.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHICAGO, April s. - Which of two
line-ups he will start the season with
Manager Rowland of the White Sox does
not expect to decide until the eve of the
pennant race, which opens next We'd
nesday. He has not yet picked his out
field trio nor his pitcher.
Depending on whether Eddie Murphy
or John Collins is the third man in the
Gardens, the batting order against De-
troit in the first game will be either
Murphy, right field: Weaver, third base
E. Collins. second base: Fournier. first
base; Jackson. left field; Felsch. center
field: Terry. shortstop; Schalk. catcher
and the pitcher: or Felsch. center field; ;
Weaver. third base: E. Collins. second
base: Fournier. first base; Jackson, left
field: J. Collins. right field: Terry. short
stop: Schalk. catcher. and the pitcher.
Just what will determine his choice of
a right fielder the Sox boss declines to
state. 1t is my guess that the showing
of the two rivals in the remaining prac-
tice games will have much 10 do with
it.
The former Mack outfielder is a left
hand batsman. John Collins bats right
handed. Murphy has been slower to
reach top speed than the Sox veteran
this spring. The combination may turn
the scale at the start against Murphy.
The best guess on Manager Rowland s
choice of sla bman for the opening game
is Tex Russell, for two reasons: Tex
used to be a whale against the Tigers
and Tex is in shape again. He was
down to weight when he reported three
weeks ago and he has been working
hard to get into perfect condition. Not
only has he the old perfect control, but
he seems to have recovered the hook.
which eluded him most of the last two
seasons.
If the honor is not assigned to Rus
sell it is likely to go to Cicotte. Jim
Scott would have been second choice to
Russell if he had not been taken sick.
1t is doubtful if Faber will be in his
best shape for the same reason.
Barring injuries, the SoX pilot will
stand pat on the infield, which has
been working together well during
most of the training trip. and if Schalk
mas more IMAM one leS " SldHu oii HS
will be behind the mask.
Going into the battle in their pres
ent condition, the White Sox ought to
be favorites. There is no questioning
the fact that they appear to be better
equipped outfit than last year, when
they finished third after leading the
race most of the first half. If Boston
or Detroit, who beat out the Sox, have
strengthened materially. it has not
been shown in the advance dope.
Opposition Is Stronger.
Manager Jones is expected to make
his combined Browns and Sloufeds a
tough proposition. The rejuvenated
Cleveland team will play with diff
ferent spirit and ought to be stronger
with Speaker and the material added
last year. Baker will strengthen the
attack of the Yankees, and Connie
Mack always has to be reckoned with
until his cards are on the table. But
ii is doubtful if any one of these four
teams has increased its strength more
than the White SoX have.
At present it looks as if Terry solved
the infield problems. because he is a
strong defensive factor. playing his
own position fast and steadily and
working with Eddie Collins smoothly
Whether the youngster can hit ma jor
league pitching will not be known un-
til he gets up against it. but he makes
the pitcher pitch to him and even if
he does not hit 200. he will tighten UP
the left side of the infield because
Weaver plays better at third than he
did at short.
Even if Terry falls down on his as
up better infield than he had last
year, for both Moria rity and McMullen !
can play third better than anything
seen in SoX suit last year. and .
Fautsch may outhit Terry enough to
win the regular shortstop berth.
jackson Is Livened Up.
Joe Jackson has acquired the White |
Sox spirit. and is not only going after |
the batting championship with con- !
fidence. but believes he is on a team of |
at last. Felsch has regained |
the batting stride out of which he was
thrown last summer by an injured foot.
and even if he fails to keep hitting
there are John Collins and Murphy to
round out better outfield than that
of wear ago now.
with Schalk, Lapp and Lynn for
catchers. the manager Will have moth |
ing to worry about as was the case
last season whenever Schalk got
bump.
If the veteran pitchers were in as
good condition as last year the Sox
ought to get the jump on the other
fellows again and be able to hold ii
with their additional strength. But
Jim Scott. who was figured as one of
the old relia bIes, will not be ready for
the start and it is not believed Faber
has got into top form in the short time
since his sickness.
To offset that, Russell and Benz are
better than a year ago. Cicotte is as
|
promising youngsters to help out. DAN
forth seems to be the pick of the two
lefthanded rockies. OF the righthand-
a mi rha tn n n the