Evening star., 1917-10-13
WEATHER man FAILS
ROWLAND IN PINCH
Provides Clear Day Instead OF
Necessitating Postponement
to Aid White Sox.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

When the Giants returned to their own
bailiwick last Monday. after suffering two
crushing reverses in Chicago. unnerved
and with their pitching staff badly shaken
up, the weather man came to bat and de-
livered in tho pinch for them by pro-
viding sufficient moisture to necessitate
calling of the game listed for Tuesday,
thereby giving the New Yorkers an addi-
tional day in which to recuperate and re-
align their forces. The value OF the
respite was proved by what the Giants
did Wednesday and Thursday. when they
outplayed. outfought nnd outgeneraled
the White Sox and bagged two games
without permitting the western contin-
gent a single run.
Rowland and his Chicago aggregation
now find themselves in practically the
Same predicament the Giants were In, If
not a worse one. Not white-hosed ath-
lete has crossed the plate in twenty-five
innings, and both of Comiskey's trump
pitching cards. Cicotte and Faber, who
hurled Chicago to victory In the opening
brace OF games. have been beaten. The
young snowstorm encountered by the
players when they arrived in Chicago last
evening undoubtedly was a welcome
sight to the Sox board Of strategy, as it
giving the Chicagoansa a chance to whip
their hurling corps into better shape. and
to recover from the shock of the double
coat of withdrawing administered at the
Polo Grounds
Reports from Chicago this morning.
however, are to the effect that the
weather. while. cold, will be clear. the
clouds that carried a threat of continued
rain or snow having been dissipated by
a bright sun. This puts the pitching
problem up to Rowland to unravel with
out the assistance of the weather man.
This problem largely resolves itself
into a question of whether Reb Russell.
leading southpaw of the American
at the top of his pitching form Row
land undoubtedly will call upon him to
work, and it will prove a judicious
choice, for there are no better lefthand-
ers in the business than the native of
Mississippi when he is right.
But there is some doubt as to his fit
ness. When Russell reported for train
ing last spring his salary wing was
crooked, due some sort of a growth
on the elbow. A specialist advised him
work out. Russell labored hard and
although the crook was not eliminated
he enjoyed successful season. Recent
ly, however, since cool weather set in,
Russell has been reported as having had
difficulty in getting his arm to work
smoothly. II this is the case Rowland
will not take a chance with him. but
will stick to Cicotte, as Danforth never
has been successful as starting pitch
er. and Williams, his other left-hander
has not been figured upon for use in the
series.
Rowland and the Sox still have con-
fdeuce in Cicotte. however, and there is
some question whether it would not be
advisable to use the shine ball" artist,
even though Russell were in shape
Few teams have been able to beat the
Sox star two games in row.
McGraw is much better fxed for
moundsmen. 1t has been just q week
since Sallee pitched a highly creditable.
though losing. game against the Sox in
Chicago. and he is the logical work
man for today; but in the event that
McGraw considers the weather too cold
for his veteran. Benton or Perritt may
get the call. The latter is big right
handler who enjoyed a most successful
season in tho National League. and is
said to be fairly aching for a chance to
start a. contest against the Sox. Nc
Graw, however, is believed to be con-
vinced that a southpawsstandsa a better
chance of checking the. Chicago slug
gers than an orthodox finger, so it is
expected a forkhander will be nominat-
ell for duty today.