New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-22
Ray Caldwell
Yankees Hope
For Pennant
Donovan Needs Two Top
Notch Pitchers-FIas One
in Shawkey
By GRANTLAND RICE

Macon. Ca, March Blob ShaW-
key is in position to make the same
appeal which Horatius made several
seasons ago as he jumped for the well
known bridge. All Shawkey needs is
some one to stand at his right hand
and help repel the foe. In case this
Macedonian shout for help goes safely
through you can figure the esteemed
and thriving Yanks right now as pen
nant favorites.
Last season Shawkey, who IS only
twenty-five, won twenty-three ball games
despite the crippled and mangled con-
dition Of his supporting cast after mid
July. But Shawkey had no great
amount of hello. There wasn't another
pitcher on the club able to win as
many as fifteen games. Cullop and
Fisher bagged twelve each, but no other
man bagged over six. Now Commander
William Donovan, figuring on a rainy
afternoon, believes that he will get at
least one aid for Shawkey able to
win twenty or more games.
The best chance in sight is Ray
Caldwell. Ray is now moving along
nicely, in fine condition and apparently
keen upon retrieving his 1916 cave-in
or hare-up. He should be good for
twenty victories without trouble. If
he does the Shawkey- Caldwell COM
bination, aided and abetted by Cullop,
Fisher, Mogridge, Russell, Love, etc,
will give the Yanks enough pitching
power to go safely through and either
win or finish among the flying leaders
in the dusty stretch.
Pitchers Lacked Experience
"Most of our pitchers last year."
says Donovan, "lacked experience more
than anything else. Most of them were
under twenty-four. They we're tried
in the fire last summer and | know
] have several youngsters, pitchers like
Russell and Shocker, who can win
twelve or fifteen games. Now if | can
get two men-Shawkey, Caldwell or
Fisher-who can bring in twenty or
more victories / won't bother about
where I'll finish. I'll carry ten pitchers
and all ten look good. But I'll need at
least two top notchers as a winning
nucleus"
There is another ancient Yank hoo
doc which Donovan believes will be
dispersed this campaign. This is light
batting. Last March, Just at this time.
there was considerable debate as to
whether Frank Baker, Lee Magee or
Fritz Maisel would lead the batting
march. None of them batted over go.
All three were at least thirty points be
low their normal work. figured from
ether years. Baker should bat 300
easily, with Magee and Maisel above
go. A punch of this type, with Nuna-
maker. Gilhooley and the others un-
changed. will give the pitching a better
chance to win.
Hurriedly Scrambled Cast
The Yanks last season were in way
a hurriedly scrambled together cast
There were six new men in ranks. This
season their team play is bound to be
better with a years experience TO help.
Experience isn't always a winning fac
tor when applied to older men. But
this ball club is young, around twenty
four years old. where a years play
will mean more than a dinky trife.
No one knows where the Yanks
would have finished with average luck
Before the big explosion came in July.
when fragments filed the field. they
were three games in front and shoot
ing along at a dizzy clip. SO they were
better than they looked in the final
standing Of the clubs. And they will
be better this season than they were
last year, even when their full strength
was in the field.
This military drill has been a fine
thing for the club. Outside of its
physical help il has developed a better
spirit, has brought the men closer to-
gether. as service for the common good
always does. They have the combined
spirit Of ball club going after pen
nant and military company that may
be called upon at any time to meet
some outside foe. Esprit de corps was
a military term later transferred to the
ball field. The Yanks now have it
both ways. Within another month
they believe they will be ready for play
or war, as fate will have it. and this
has put stout foundation between
them for the future.
Likely TO Shirk Drive
These ball clubs that have been
Sinking military duty under these con
ditions will be likely to shirk the drive
OF a pennant race, which calls for the
right spirit as we'll as the other stuff
The rain which fell to-day killed of
baseball. but the downDour didn't ar
rive before the drill had been COM
pleted. So the squad has put another
days military training behind it. and
this is enough to provide also good
forenoon's work. The club is now far
enough advanced in its training not to
, mind an off day or so.