Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-04
Superb Hand
ling of Good Pitching
Staff Is Cardinals
Best Asset
BY CHANDLER D. RICHTER


U1HB refusal of Manager Miller Hugglns
i to make use of any of the Federal
League players who revert to his club,
through one of the terms of the peace
agreement and his apparent inability to
strengthen weak spots, will send the st.
Louis Cardinals into the National League
race one of the weakest aggregations in the
circuit on paper. Huggins believes he has
great possibilities IL he perfects the same
high brand Of teamwork so noticeable in
1914, as he has good pitching material at
hand.
on form, the Cardinals should finish no
higher than sixth at the best with the
possibility that they will have to struggle
to keep out of the cellar. but consistent
pitching may upset the dope If Higgins
pitchers keep free from accident there will
be only small percentage of the games
lost through poor boxworlS or handling of
the pitchers.
There are few managers in the major
leagues who rank with Hugglns in hand
ling pitchers. The diminutive leader an
pears to be gifted with a sixth sense when
1t comes to switching pitchers and in his
selection of the pitcher who is best fitted
to start game. In 1914 the Cardinals
were no stronger than they are today, yet
they came within an ace of beating out
the Braves, due to Higgins judgment in
working his pitchers.
Braves Beat Cards
The final standing shows the Braves
finished several games ahead of the Cards,
but that was due to tho fact that Hugglns'
team went to pieces after the crucial Sc
ries with Stalllngs' team i'm st. Louis in
September. Had the result of this series
been reversed, so might the positions of
the two teams at the close of the sason.
Huggins is fortunate I'm having won
In ,t.In ic
with Bill Killefer, with prospects of de.
veloping into even n better man before
the present season closes. The hustling
little leader does not hesitate to give Sny
der the credit for the excellent work of
the pitching staff, which apparently does
not consist of as many great natural pitch
ers as the seven other teams have.
The gradual decline of Harry Sallee, the
veteran southpaw. and Leon Ames makes
1t necessary for Higgins to develop two
capable pitchers this season. He appar-
emily Is depending upon experienced minor
leaguers for these two pitching positions,
as he has only one real youngster in his
squad of twrlers. This lad is Lamline,
purchased from the Central Association.
Lamline is a southpaw and he pitched sew
eral brilliant games at the close of the
1915 season, being used in the fall series
against the Browns because he showed
great promise.
The Uncertainties
The other uncertainties of the pitching
staff are Charley Hall, the veteran Red
SoX pitcher; Jack Warnop, passed up by
the Yankees; Hi Jasper, released by the
White Sox, and Reese Williams and Bob
Steele who have spent several seasons
in the American Association. OF this
group. Hall and Jasper have the best
chance to earn regular positions
An injured leg sent Hall back to the
minors after he had been one of the main
stays of the Red SoX in the winning of
the pennant in 1912. Hall was sent to
ST. Paul in the fall Of 1913, after having
been useless to the Red SoX during the
entire season. He retired from the game
for almost a year and then started all
over again. Hall was the leading pitcher
of the American Association and made the
seasons record for consecutive victories
by winning 8 games in a row. His work
was brilliant and consistent throughout the
season. and he should be a valuable man
for Huggins Hall knows how to pitch,
which will give him a great advantage,and
he is also a terrific hitter, who will fit In
we'll as a pinch hitter and general utility
man.
The pitching certainties from last year
are Willie Doak, one of the best spit
ball pitchers in either league; Dan GIRL