Omaha daily bee., 1916-09-24
ADMIT CONNIE MAY
DELIVER THE GOODS
Rival Managers Grant that the.
Lowly Athletics win Show I
Well Next Year. ,Ei I
PLACES FAITH IN BoDE

New York, Sept. %. When Connie
Mack dismantled his old pennant-
winning machine he estimated that it
would take him two years to assem-
bic another vehicle for his peculiar
genius.
For two years." he predicted, "the
boys will probably have lot of fun
at my expense, but by 1917 Ill be
ready to make bid for another PEN
nant, and the team with which III do
1t will not have cost me as much as
other managers are accustomed to
paying for a single star bushef."
As the cadaverous Connie anticipat-
ed, the Athletics have been the
laughing stock Of their league through
the greater part of two seasons. Now,
however, the tide is turning the other
way, and it is becoming more and
more apparent that the lean tactician's
experiment, an experiment no other
manager in either major leagues
would have dared to tackle, Is to be
crowned with complete success. At
least two rival leaders are already
conceding to Macx first division
rating for next year, with an outside
chance to win q championship.
Most Of the parts that will 60 into
the making of the new Mackian ma
chine have already been installed. The
three that are needed to complete the
layout are still in the minors, but one
Of them has already been subjected
to the major league test and found
not altogether wanting, and the 9TH
ers are listed among the brightest
prospects of the year. They are ex-
pected to join the Mackmen within
the next two weeks, and will inn
be assigned to the stations
they are slated to cover next season.
COnnce,.ce In Bodie.
These three, upon whom Mack is
banking SO heavily, are Outfielder
Ping Bodie, one-time White Sox and
now with the Vernon club of the Pa
rifc Coast league; Outhelder Thrash
er OF the Atlantic club of the Southern
association, and Third Baseman Bates,
also of the coast. Thrasher and Bates
will report to Mack for q tryout this
Fall, but Bodie will probably not be
seen in an Athletic uniform until next
spring. Bates is said to be the best
third baseman developed in any minor
eague in the last two wears; Thrashe-
IS regarded as the leading outfelder
Of his circuit, and Mack is convinced
hat he can make a valuable, If not
great. ball player out Of Bodie.
His confidence is based largely on
belief that the Italian fence buster
was not properly handled at Chicago.
Never "brainy" player, or even
moderately smart one, Ping pulled
many gorgeous toner while he wore
the Comiskey livery. Instead Of salv.
ing him, Jimmy Callahan walked all
over him, and inside of a month had
completely broken the signor's once
sroud and naughty spirit. Constant
,rooding over his trials and ,ribula-
ions took the sting out Of his bat and
-obbed him of whatever value he ever
rad. "a 4 ~ "
Out on the coast, however, Ping
'oon swung back into his old slug
ying form. He was hitting somei
hing like .348 when the latest batch
If unofficial averages was given out,
Ind driving every blow mile or
more. He Is again the pounding fury
If the pre-Chicago days--and knows
t. 1t is Mack's intention to plant
lin in center between Thrasher and
,trunk next season, pat him on the
pack whenever he makes hit and
ioothe him with soft words when
yer his mental shortcomings betray
lin into strategical slip.
Inield is the Goods.
For his infeld Mack has Stuffy Nc.
nnis--or Poindecter, If he should de.
ide to part company with his veteran
irst baseman---Otis Lawry, a bril-
liant collegian, who has been prevent
d by illness and injuries from demon-
trating his true ,orth as a second
'aseman; Lawton Witt, the most inn
'roved young shortstop in the coun-
ry and coming star, and Bates. re-
.arded by Clark Griffith as the third
'ase find of the season.
II Bates pans out up to Co... les
Expectations Mack will have one OF
he finest inhelds in the country, fast
18th afeld and on the bases, and with
EXCEPTIONAL batting power spread
round here and there. 1t may NOT.
robably will not, measure up 10 the
Id 100000 quartet, but just after
'ates was corraled Mack himself an
that he expected his 1917
1held to compare shade more than
avorably with any he had ever put
ogether.
So much for the felders. For his
itching staff Mack will have Toe
lush, one of the bert in his league;
liner Myers, one OF this seasons
lost brilliant finds; Jack Majors and
ON Sheehan, whose abilities rise far
bove anything that their records
'ould seem to in-.ca.., and Jingling
ohnson. rnnaatioi.a. young right
ander from Ursinus college. Taken
y and large, this quintet comprise;
stronger heaving corps than Mack
as put upon the field since Eddie
lank, Chief Bender and Jack
combs were at their best back II
'l3. Wally Schang, of course, wi
turn to his old station back Of the
late as first string catcher, and will
ork every day. AS emergency back.
ops Mack will have Haley and