Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-24
COMMY'S WHITE SOX
HAVE GOOD CHANCE
Addition of Risberg and Couple
of Hurlers Is Expected to
Make Hose Contenders.
NESS MUST FIGHT FOR JOB

The cheerful tidings from the
White Sox ,camp regarding the 1917
pennant of the American league have
caused the South Side fans some real
Joy. The Sox have a better chance
to cop the honors next year than they
had last season by several guesses,
because of the promising material Sc
cured to fill in the weak spot that
came to the surface in last summers
campaign.
Manager Rowland, after two years
of leadership, is a much stronger
general than he has been at any time
since he took the reins, and with the
help of Kid Gleason to round out
the yoang players next spring he
feels that the road to the pennant
has been pretty we'll paved for him.
The two weak places on the inheld
will have stronger men than last year.
Risberg Expected to Star.
The wonderful performance of
Risberg of the Vernon team last year
a, a second baseman insures Row
land of another infelder who will be
able to strengthen the South Side de-
fense even if he cannot add much to
the offense. Risberg did not show
much until last summer, and then he
shot to the front as the leading in
fielder of the Pacific coast league,
which has turned out many big
leaguers in seasons past. Risberg
can play short, or he can play third
a. we'll as he can perform at second
base,
Weaver at Third.
If Rowland can work him in at
short he will keep Buck Weaver on
the far corner, where he showed so
we'll last summer. Rowland is count
ing much on Risberg making good
from the very start. In case he does
not show well enough to get regu-
lar berth, the Sox have star fielder
in Terry. The trouble with Terry
last year was that he was too weak
to stand the heavy strain of the long
summer. He Is no hitter, but his
work as a fielder / axes up for much
of his failing.
Ness Must Fight for Job.
In addition to Ness, Rowland has
two youngsters who will battle for
first base. Jordan, who is left
handler and who made a good show
ing last year as batter in the West
ern league, is the choice OF the two
new men. Henry is the other candi-
date for the place. II either one of
these youngsters can make good on
the infield it will brace up the team
in wonderful manner.
Then there is the chance that the
pitchers will be greatly strengthened.
Speed Martin, the marvel of the Pa
cihc Coast league last season, will be
member of the staff. There are other
candidates for pitchers positions, but
Speed has the call on the first vacancy
from his record The showing made
last year by Lefty Williams and Dan
forth was so good that the. Sox staff
looked like a. different combination
from the year before.
Williams is the Star.
In spite of the failure of Jim Scott
to do his share of the winning, the
staff looked fair, and it was due to
the wonderful work of Williams.
Wolfgang was unable to help much
because his arm went sore, but he
has every reason to believe that he
will come through the coming season
in good shape. With Russell and
Cicotte to depend on and Faber going
right again, Rowland feels very con-
fident that he will be able to make a
stronger bid for the flag than he has