The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-28

Since that day in st. Louis l have in
tended to pitch double header, and Mo-
ran almost consented in Boston, hut at
the time we were on even terms with the
Dodgers, and it was a cold, cloudy day,
so finally it was decided that Demaree
should pitch the second game. This game
resulted in five-inning scoreless game,
rain stopping play
AS a rule, Demaree pitches in the Sec
ond game of every double header, but
last week he asked Moran to allow him
to hurl the first game against Pittsburg.
and l knew that Al would beat me to
it, in case the first game did not tax his
strength too much. Nobody was happier
than I when AL trimmed the Pirates
both games, and jol1ingly told him that
l was next on the list, and would set
stiff pace for him.
On Saturday | made up my mind before
the first game started that l would hurl
both games if the boys got me few
runs in the opener AS soon as the first
game was over Moran asked me why
had not gone over to the clubhouse as
soon as the last man was retired, but 1
told him that was going back for the
second game. For a time he did not like
the idea, but 1 showed him where it
would not be necessary for me to pitch
again until the Brooklyn series, and L
would have plenty of rest, if that was
what was worrying MIN, and re con-
sented
HARD PROPOSITION
The result was a surprise to me. Nat
urally l expected to work, but thought
pitching two games in one afternoon in
he major leagues was a sitter proposi-
ton than it really is When the second
game started l was inclined to work too
easily, fearing that l might need my
strength in the closing innings. but after
the Reds got me in trouble in the first
three innings, while Fred Toney had us
guessing, [ became riled, and made up
my mind that 1 would put something on
every ball pitched
| can truthfully say that I had more
stuff" in the closing innings of the
second game than 1 had at any time dur
ing the first, and l also felt just as
strong when I went to the clubhouse as
1 did when 1 left it, at 1 o'clock. Moran
was rather anxious to know how l felt.
and insisted that Trainer Mike Dee give
me some extra attention, but it was not
necessary, as felt no worse than after
an ordinary nine-inning battle that is
close all the way.
It was the same with Demaree. AL had
just as much stuff in the ninth inning of
the second game as when he started, and
he was ready to go back and repeat the
trick on Saturday, with only two days
rest, if Moran had deemed it necessary.
Eppa Rixey is also anxious to try pitch
ing doubleheader, and 1t is possible
that he may get chance against the
Braves, if he goes good in the first game.
HAS BEEN CONVERTED
Until the past week I could not see
the advantage of having one pitcher work
in two games in an afternoon, but have
been converted. 1t has enabled Moran
to rest other pitchers without hurting
Demaree myself and arrange their
work so that we open the series against
Brooklyn and go into the final battle
with the Braves with the staff working
just as Moran desires that 1t should be-
The idea appears to be gaining head
way that the success of lot of pitchers
in hurting double headers and others
working in so many games, will cause
the clubs to carry fewer pitchers in the
future, but don't think this move would
be wise. The way baseball is played
today, a manager needs every high-class
pitcher he can afford to carry with a
player-limit rule, and I hardly expect to
see any change.
know that Moran has needed every
pitcher on his staff and that every one
of them has earned his money Some
have not pitched in so many games, but
they have come through when called
upon, and when one considers what one
or two games means to us at this time
it is not hard to see that every man on
the staff has been needed, and do not
see where we could spare any Of them
If times were bad and the game had
poor year financially, there might be
some excuse for it, but this has been the
greatest season in the history of the
game so far as finances are concerned
and it is no time to weaken teams by
retrenching
Copyright, 1916. by G. C, Alexander)