Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-12
AN TO STIMULATE ATHLETICS HEARTILY APP


as he was at this time a year ago the Phil
lies are in much better shape for the grind
than any other National League pennant
contender. 1t Is believed that Rlxey and
Demaree will continue to show consistent
form. and It also is certain that Mayer and
Chalmers will soon strike their stride
This will give Moran five top-notch pitch
ers for the regular work. with Bender and
McQuillan,. two heady veterans for relief
work and to take up the burden In the
double-header period. If there Is another
staff in the National League better pre-
pared, past performances fail to reveal It.
At the present time the Phillles are only
two games behind the Dodgers, and less
than that back Of the Giants, which is ex-
tremely fortunate considering the brand
of ball shown by the Phils since their re-
turn home. The team continues to play
aggressive heady ball. but the weak hitting
and inconsistent form of the pitchers two
faults which should be eliminated soon, has
prevented the team from stepping out in
front.
Cravath has been blamed for the lack of
the punch" in the Philly offense, but this
is an injustice. The slugging outfeder
failed just as often in the early stages of
the 1915 season, but at that time Luderus
and Bancroft were clubbing at a terrific
rate, and they picked up where Cravath
left Off. Cravath Is hitting over 900, and
large number of his safeties have pro-
duced runs.
The difference in the 1915 and 1916 punch
Is just as great as the difference between
the 1915 and 1916 averages of Luderus and
Bancroft at this time of the year Both
were hitting above the 900 mark for the
first three months of the season, while Lu-
derus finished second to Jake Daubert for
the leadership. Today Luderus Is batting
.208, while Bancroft's mark is .154.
Another drawback has been the hitting
of the reserve strength Last season the
substitutes, one of whom was Stock, could
jump into the game at moments notice
and hold up their end with the stick. Such
has not been the case this season, as the
averages of Byrne, Cooper and Goode prove
conclusively. None of the trio is above 200
while Cooper and Goode are considerably
below this mark.
The Philles surely will improve, as there
is hardly man on the team playing above
his game, unless it is Paskert while sew
eral are below form. When they reach theii
1915 form, the team Is certain to advance
but the return must soon be on its way, as
Boston and Chicago also are due to star
climbing, while Brooklyn and New York
may keep up their present speed longer, thar
expected.
Alexander the Great will go to the mound
for the Philles in the first game of the
series with Pittsburgh this afternoon, while
AL Mamaux, the real leader of the Nationa
League pitchers, will oppose Moran's star
A great pitching duel should result. as botl
Alexander and MamauX have been moving
down their opponents with clocklike regu
larity.
1t has been nine days since Alexander
has pitched The Philly star worked
against the Cardinals on Saturday. June 3
and has not been on the mound since A!
q rule, Alexander has trouble with his con
troll after a long absence from the mound
but he worked out Thursday, Friday anC
Saturday between showers and is in excel
lent condition
1t is said that Dick Rudolph was fineC
by Manager Stallings for failing to keel
in condition. Rudolph is now back II
shape and the Braves should start climbing
Ragon, Tyler and Hughes have been pitch
ing splendid ball. but Manager Stalling
has been unable to find a fourth pitche
capable of going the route. Young Jes
Barnes and Art Nehf have been too wilC
to show their true form, but also are round
ing into form now.
Young Neal, Cincinnatis recruit out
fielder Is said to be a marvellous flede
and his ability has caused Manager HerzoI
to make some switches on the last hom'
stand of the Reds. With Chase unfamila
with the outfleld. Herzog has switched Nea
| from center to left and back again, accord
ing to the batters, If left field hitte
| was at the plate for the visitors. Nea
switched over to left, while II the following
| hitter was a center or right field hitter
| Neal would Immediately switch back. Thi
| was done only with men on bases but
| worked so well, Herzog may continue I
| switch until Chase is accustomed to play
| ing the outfield.