The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-03-28


the Teams as they Prepare for the
1917 Campaign.
HOT SPRINGS. Ark. March 2S.-
The spectacle of a National league
champion falling in one year to the
second division is contamination not
remote III the older league this year.
II is doubtful whether Wilbert Rob.
inson can build up ball team which
can get above fifth place due to three
lntluences-holdouts, poor catchers.
and unreliable pitchers.
When ] saw the Dodgers here three
valuable men, two iufielders and an
outfielder, were holding out, and the
indications were that two of them.
Zach Wheat and Mike Mowery, might
not sign.
Wheat was the most valuable out.
fielder on Robbie's team last year and
one of the greatest players in the
game. Mowery. financially independ.
ent, was n clever infielder. a danger.
Gus hitter and a good base-runner
Mowery's salary was cut this season
and he says he will not report.
With one or two exceptions the team
that fell in defeat to the Red Sox last
year was mediocre. 1t is scarcely i'm.
proved this season.
Robbie is putting too much depend
ance on old timers-players who have
served their time and may go back
any day.
For pitchers he has Sherrod Smith,
one of the heroes OF the world series,
perhaps the greatest southpaw in the
league. He has Pfeffer. who should
have good season, and then there is
Marquard, erratic as usual; Coombs,
who is fast going back; Wheeler Dell.
an in'and.outer; Appleton who has
never shown very much; Cheney, and
two youngsters who look better than
any of the rest with the possible ex.
ceptions of Smith and Pfeffer.
The Youngsters are Galore, sent by
the Robins TO Montreal early last
year where he won 20 and lost IA
games, and burning with Portland in
the Eastern league last season.
Galore is a big Highlander with
speed. curves and change of pace.
Burning is a southpaw-the kind of a
southpaw a manager likes to find
a sidewheeler with control.
The catching staff is as weak as
any In the league. Otto Miller prob
able will do the bulk of the receiving
He is a mediocre. Chief Myers, old,
slow and flat.footed, will help. Myers
may be dangerous hitter this year
mark, | do not say he will be, but
there is that possibility. Jack Schneid.
err, last year with Macon and Atlanta,
will be tried. He hit about $50 with
In hut To-
part of the season, playing with Macon,
his average fell to $50.
Although Jake Daubert is slipping,
Robinson has in him one of the great
first sackers of the game. Merkle will
alternate at the initial sack and also
play the outfield.
Cutshaw and Malone will be at sec.
ond and Olson and Getz, neither very
remarkable, at third.
Robinson's real find is at short
where Fabrique is playing slashing
game. Fabrique played last year with
Providence. His records on the field
and at the bat we're remarkable. He
formerly was owned by the Detroit
Tigers, but Jennings had Bush and
Young and could not use him.
Robbie also has find In the out.
field-Hickman, a youngster who Otto
Miller declares can throw strikes from
the outfield. Robbie will need him
if Wheat doesn't sign, for the outfield
doesn't look very strong with Hy
Myers and Jimmie Johnson as regu.
lars.
If Mathewson can do anything with
the Cincinnati club, Robinson will be
fortunate to remain in the first dIvis-
ion