The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-06
MINERS A&ABFnaGD.
Several Teams Loom Up as
Strong Contenders for Ma
jor League remnants.

the distance OF the laSJ campaign seven
Of the eight clubs hung together Con
ME Mack's Athletics were hopelessly
outclassed from the first. But. even in
Philadelphia. there is evidence OF re-
form. When Mack broke up his PEN
nant trust OF 1864 and sold his for
midable stars to rivals he created that
chaotic condition. as evidenced by his
club all OF last year. But, also. he
helped create that fine balance through
the other seven teams that promises
so much for the American I.eagueas
continued welfare.
Within the last five playing seasons
the Boston Red SoX have won three
pennants and as many worlds cham
pionships. A team of that class cam
not be lightly regarded But there is
comfort to a number of other clubs
with designs on the American league
pennant that the p1Ner of any attn
letic aggregation is confined to span
seldom exceeding the mile posts be-
tween 1911 and 1917.
1t is generally believed that Charles
pennant hopes few days ago in the
engagement of Clarence Rowland as
manager Of the White Sox. For two
seasons straight Rowland has failed
to land on top with a team which the
majority of his rival manas> rs con-
sidered from 10 to 20 per cent stronger
than anything else in its company.
g orr,, Il
driving power. Its failure in the past
few years has been due to faulty
pitching. That defect must be rene
died before Jennings can hope to lead
the field. Ty Cobb is n team in him.
self. but unfortunately the Georgian
Peach cannot pitch and play the out
field at one and the same time. Be-
sides. he is not a pitcher.
No excuses need be made for the
Yankees. They We're the victims of
hard luck last year. The team should |
be in the fight all the way through |
1917. Frank Gilhooleys leg has en-
tirely recovered; Frank Baker is as
good as new: Maisel reports his frac-
tured collarbone permanently mended, |
leaving the throwing arm as free as
ever. The other cripples-Cullop, Mog-
ridge, Magee. High, Baumann and
Gedeon-had entirely recovered before
the close of last season.
Cleveland, like New York suffered
severely from injuries last year. That
club will continue to be dangerous so
long as Iris Speaker remains active.
This club slumped during midseason
.aHrgely because of an injury to Guy
Morton, the best pitcher. Lee Foil
later unearthed some promising young
sters, among them Coumbe, Bagby and
Gould, and should be better fortified
as to pitching against the future.
Fielder Jones created a sensation
with his Browns last year by coming
from nowhere with q run of il
straight victories. 1t took the former
pilot of the hitless wonder White Sox
some time to get his bearings. With
a cast built around the wonderful
Sisler and his Federal league talent
welded we'll into the combination Jones
should continue to make trouble.
Clark Griffiths Washington club
does not appear so formidable as one
year ago. But then it must be re
membered that the Old Fox has Il
Walter Johnson, and a Walter John
son who can turn in close to 30 vic
tories during n seasons play is almost
half a club.
Giants Far the Best.
lin the National league the Giants
proved themselves away the best team
after McGraw secured Herzog, Zim-
norman and McCarty Naturally New
York viii be the favorite for 1917 in
spite of the fact that Brooklyn won a
= pennant. There is wonderful balance
10 the Polo Grounders. In Burns, kauff
and Robertson Mac has by far the best
outtield in the National league, Often
sively and defensively. jim Thorpe
who did well in the American associ-
ton and who is supposedly a deadly
hitter against southpaws will be back
as utility gardener
With Walter Holke playing to the
form he displayed i'll his brief career
at the Polo Grounds, the Giant infielf
is work of art. Herzog, the class OF
his company at shortstop, has proven
another Eddie Collins at second; Tim
norman, satisfied, is as fine as they
come at third. The merit of Fletcher
at short field needs no further adver-
tising. There is a possibility that Ar
tie Shafer may come out of retirement
That would assure a reserve strength
to the Giants capable of withstandine
the seVerest buffets from fate.
The Dodgers We're good enough t
win last years pennant. That success
may prove a stimulus the coming sea
son. Brooklyn is possessed of grea
driving power 1t has, moreover, a I'm
pitching staff-a staff of youngster
who should keep on improving. Wit
the sluggers al his disposal WILDER
Robinson should go IA long way. es
pecially if he can ever drill into tn
ivory walls of his charges Uranium
the value of base running. Brookly
each year throws away enough run
to win the average pennant.