Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-09
PHILLIES CHANCES TO RECAPTURE FLAG IN
NATIONAL LEAGUE DEPEND ON MANY "1FS'
Cravath and Alexander
Were Offensive and
Defensive Stars of
Last Season

fornia in 1902 and joined Los Angeles in
1905. He remained with Los Angeles un-
I'll the Red SoX purchased him. His career
since th"t time is too well known to be
worth r,rratng.
Bancroft is going to he even better
than in 1915, and probably will he the
peer of shortstops before the coming sea-
son ends: while Stock also should inn
prove. NehOif may be a triie better, but
lie is player who has certain limits.
above which he never will 70. and the
mad chase for a second baseman this win
tor viii not improve his confidence any.
Barring the pitching and catching
there is not another position on the team
which is likely to be stronger than last
year. Already Goodo is being awarded
Paskcrt's position, but if he beats the
veteran out it will surprise National
League players greatly.
The great trouble with Paskert is lacl,
Of confidence. If he can open the season
with a lot of base hits he will continue to
club the ball but if he gets II start SINH
lar to 1915. his average will be just about
as low. Pasliert worries and thinks too
much about his batting average, and must
be rid of the fault. But at that he is
better all-around man than Goode II
the latter has shown his best at Chicago.
Whittcd is a certainty in left. and is
n good Outfeder. II is said that he will
little chance of this. Higgins tried to
make second baseman Of Whtted but
found that he was not only slow in
handling throws but could not field ball
to his right. He also takes too much
time getting n ball away from him. To
throw fast and accurately. Whitted must
straghten up, and this type never
amounts to much at the keystone sack.
Good Pitchers
The PhiIles will have another great
pitching staff, and there lies it's chance for
the pennant. If Mayer can get off to
great start again and does not break in
midseason, as he did in 1915, he will win
about five more games than he did last
year. Manager Moran will have more con-
fidence in Chalmers and he will be allowed
to work oftener Chalmers will be even
better than Mayer IL he gets a good start,
as he gains confidence and goes better If
luck is breaking for him.
"Chief" Bender is going to be a great
help to Moran The former Mackman
still has his old-time speed, and just so
long as he has it he will be a wonder for
relief pitching, even If he fails to go the
route. The writer is confident that Bender
Is going to shock the baseball fans who
have been predicting that he is through as
major league pitcher. If Bender is able
to go to the relief of wavering twirlers
Moran will be enabled to keep Alexander
out of the bull pen" which will permit
the Nebraskan to save his strength for a
gruelling finish,
\ good handler is needed badly by
the Phils, RiXey pitched some fine games
last season, particularly against the
Braves, but the team has little confidence
in him because he lacks II himself He
must show this season If he is ever to be
of much value to the team. If RiXey does
at least show the form mis- great natural
ability should permit, Moran's stan will
be as formidable as that of the Braves
Not much dependence can be placed
on the recruits, but Demaree and AicQuil-
Ian may prove of value. nemaree has an
excellent head and a thorough knowledge
of the National League batsmen, which
makes his position certain. McQuillan
must show consistent form or he may be
allowed TO depart to make room for Joe
Oeschger.