Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-10
CRAvATR STAGES
GREAT COMEBACK;
DUE FOR DISCARD
NO YOUNG PHENoMS WERE PICK
EDB PHlLLiES' MANAGER This
SEASON. BUT TEAM is A STROh
SEASON, BUT TEAM is STRONG
CONTENDER IN NATIONAL
LEAGUE RACE


By the Phillies this spring, but Fat
Moran has reason to thank his lucky
stars that something happened out on
the Pacific coast last winter tugt was
of great benefit to the Quakcrs. This
lucky event was the failure of one
Gabby Cravath to land the manage
ment OF the Vernon team OF the Pa
cifc Coast league, for travath has
been life saver to the Phillies. His
bat has been just as important in help
ing to win games as 1t was two years
ago. when four things stood out in
the Phillies' dash TO the pennant Then
ii was that Pat Moran's system of
management. Alexander's pitching,
Cravath's hitting and the strength that
Dave Bancroft gave the infield We're
the high spots.
II was In the fall of 1915 that era
vath had trouble with his legs. Last
year Gabby was homesick for his fam
lily out In California and for the sight
of the baby that was born few
weeks after he came east. He did not
have nearly SO good season from
the playing standpoint as he had IN
1915 1t looked like the bushes for
Gabby, and he was willing to return
to the Pacific Coast league. In fact.
he was eager to do SO.
The rhilies' officials tried to fix
deal SO that Cravath would be made
manager of the Vernon team. That
deal fell through for various reasons
AS the winter waned Gabby yeaned
to remain In the big show. 1t is I'm
derstood that lie was offered con
tract for less money than he received
last year, as 1t was expected that he
would not be regular this year. The
understanding, though. was that the
salary would be boosted If for any rea
son Gabhy got in and played regularly
In the training camp days and on
the way north Cooper was figured as
the right fielder for the phillies Crn
vath though, looked good to Moran.
and when 1t came time to pick the
lineup for the opening game at Brook
Ign Pat sprang surprise by putting
Cravath In right field. Gabby made Il
home run and some more hits that
day. and he has been keeping up the
good work ever since His stick work
is the most prominent thing about the
Quakers' offensive. 1t looks as IL era
vath would score and drive IN as many
runs this season as he did two years
ago, and from the way that he has
been polling out four baggers he has
an excellent chance of breaking tn,
major league home run record of TWEEN
ty-five.
Between landing young phenom
who might "bust" when the big ties
came and who would have to be school
ed, and getting hand picked a veteran
like Cravath any manager would
doubtless take the latter variety Of
player, In this respect luck has Ger
tainly broken with the PhillIes.
What IL more, Grover Alexander hng
rounded to after getting poor start.
Another stroke Of good fortune fen
the Phllles, although il should really
be classed as excellent management
In IN the work Of Joe OeSchgcr Thi
big Californian has all the earmark.
OF another Alexander If he ever ac
quires the control that Grover usually
has. Oeschger has been carefully
coached by Moran and the teams
caichers, aud he IL now looming up nv
Pats second best bet in the twirline
line.
OcEchgor lacks only first class con
trol to leo one of the games greatest
pitchers He has every other rcqui
site. and this control he appears to b.
gradually acquiring Like Alexander
he could do iron man duty If called
upon. In fact, it looks rs though Joe
would 10 even better work than be has
done # he was crowded with work
This pair should butlrcss the pitching
staff IN The days when the double
LENDERS roll around and the managers
Will be hard pressed for twirling tai
emit