The Washington times., 1916-09-25

Dope reveals more strange things
THIN ono ever dreamed OF. and the
first study through the comparison OF
the teams that are fighting for the
Worlds Berries gave me q twister.
Honestly. I never before imagined that
II made 20 much difference In q ball
player to figure him against special
teams. We know, Of course, that q
certsin player hits pitchers Of one club
better than he does those OF another.
but to discover that the defensive
fieiding-value OF q player also II af-
fected by the work Of the team against
which he plays surprised me.
II may sound odd. too. that Duffy
Iewis, the hero of the Worlds Series OF
last fall, does not dope to be an strong q
ball player against the National League
teams as either of his rivals. You may
be astonished 70 find that Sherry
20 class. 10 a better ball player against
tbs Red Sox than would beZack wheat,
who 10 outhitting him nearly a hundred
points. These things are the freaks OF
baseball.
1t " rather unfortunate that we are
compelled to study three teams In both
leagues because each still has o chance
and II makes the table of comparisons
rather complicated. but. to me. even
more interesting. Besides that. we shall
out Of the tables OF comparisons within
the next few days and 80 along on a
more simple basis. Furthermore, we
can carry forward the totals, and.
We can compile the vital statistics and
show which team ought to win.
In studying these figures we have o
lot to contend with. orhand. one look
ing at the figures for this season would.
danserou. batter than 10 Magee. Whit
under stallinss Hs 10 lucky 10 hit 20.
That shows the effect OF managerial
generalship upon players.
Moran In q great leader Of men In
that they all love and respect him. and
work their heads of for him because
they do. Stallings' players are devoted
lly loyal to their nghting leader because
he takes up their battles and fights for
them. Stallings is general skillful in
attack. resourceful. and planning for
runs. and caring nothing for hits. Nor
an 10 defensive general, planning to
keep the other fellow from scoring by
his use Of pitchers, and not overly skill
full IN the attacking end Of the game.
Stallings men must bat to orders. That
fact has hampered Masee. l think 1t
has made him a better ball player In
u
Allow Masee to 80 to bat and swing as
he pleases, and he is near 200 hitter.
Make him bat to orders and hit at
balls that will help along base runners
or tend to weary opposing pitchers. and
he 10 weakened Immediately.
Lewis, Of COURSE would be immensely
strong II the Red Sox and Phils should
again conquer their leagues and play
on for the worlds title. The moral ef-
a. = las lal skAsn hxy
his his batting. "a he M Won at least three Of
the four games his team captured.
would be tremendous. He would not hit
as we'll against Brooklyn's pitching stan
as he would against the Phils-even ad-
pitching stan. He would not hit as
we'll against the Braves corps OF Pitch
ere because they have class, ana steadi-
ness and brains In excess OF either OF
their rivals-even admitting that they
are worn and weary from the stress Oh
the strenuous season.
whitted is, think. a near-great
ball player, who 10 not usually rated
as such. He haa brains-he Is ca
and besides that, a very effective man
at the bat. Wheat Ia rather a puzzle.
He ought to have been one OF the
great stars and never has been. per-
ss In s.sS. the pas SoR se %S.n Sis Se
is not as good physically as he was
five years ago. his club has chance,
and he has kept hustling. Hustling
alone has made him look a much bet
ter bah player than we had come to
rate him. .".r.
jackson. of Chicago. averages better
than either Lewis or Veech when
studied against all three of the teams.
This fellow Is not a good ball player
even II he bats 800 He IL erratic un-
certain and not player for his team.