The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-10-04
NeWS From the World Of Sport
GIANTS HAVE
EDGE IN VET
INFIELDERS
Lineup of Inner-diamond
Crews May Decide
Coming Series
fRY AssociateA press l

(By Associated Pressl
New York, Oct A majority OF
the veterans of preceding world series
Will be found in the infields of the
New York Nationals and the Chicago
Americans when these two teams
meet late this week in the 1917 series.
Or the eight players who are expected
TO defend the inner lines, four have
already passed through one or more
OF these baseball classics, and Of this
quartet three will wear the uniforms
OF the Giants, and one the coIors of
the White Sox. Another popularity is
that the veteran material will cluster
between second and third bases, the
initial sack being guarded by less ex-
perienced players. ..-
his reliance in Holke, while the Chi
cago interests will be defended by
Gandil. In years OF service and the
knowledge which comes with il, Can
oil wiz have the edge over his young
er opponent. Both are steady, con-
slstent players covering the bag and
the adjacent territory without spec
tacular effort, but with a high degree
Of efficiency.
According to their records for the
past season in their respective
leagues, there is little to choose be-
tween them so far as fielding or bat
ting is concerned. Holke has a slight
advantage of the averages in both
en- bases and double plays. He is also
three years younger than Gandil, but
when all is considered it is likely that
the latter's greater experience will
signify outweigh Holke's speedier
tootWork The margin of advantage
Is so small one way or the other, that
so far as forecasts are concerned, the
two players may be said to be equal
in offensive and defensive work.
Two Best Second Basemen.
Two of the best second basemen in
their respective leagues will be OPP
posed at the midway sack and the
struggle for honors between Eddie |
Collins and Charles Herzog should be |
one of the thrilling features of the |
series. World series play is no longer |
a novelty to either, as Collins has /
participated in four such conflicts |
while member of the Philadelphia |
in three series with the Giants. Beth /
are noted for their ability to rise to /
extreme heights of play at times, and i
from their keystone position to dom
mate the work Of the entire infield
com binations.
Herzog. owing to the injury to his
back, due to a fall earlier in the sea-
son, has not played as regularly as
Collins, and there is just the bare DOS
sibility that he may not be available
remote that he can for comparative
purposes be considered as the Giants
second baseman. If 1t proves to be
otherwise, the stock of the New York
before the first ball is pitched. AS
heir records stand for the season Col
tns had the better of Herzog in bat
ing, fielding, stolen bases and dou-
Die plays. The same is true of his
.verages in past world series. Collins
has batted .33S and fielded .975 in four
series, to Herzog's PA and 1858 in
.nree post-season struggles.
HerzOg Dangerous Hitter.
If Herzog enters the fray benefited
by the rest he insisted on taking,
lfter the Giants had virtually clinched
he pennant, he may prove to be capa-
Die of more efficient work than his
'ecords would indicate, for he is one
game today. He is a dangerous bait
er at critical moments of the play;
'esourceful and daring in the field
md man who is not willing to con-
,ede defeat until the final putout is
made. Collins, however, on such rec
,rds and form as are available must
,e given the edge at second over the
Giants guardian of the keystone base.
Injuries also compiicate the situa-
ion at short and third. The White
COX regular third baseman, "BuckIl
Weaver, broke one of his fingers in a
same late in the season, and did not
eturn to the lineup until a few days
'efore the pennant race closed. In the
Az
his position so satisfactorily that
here is some doubt as to whether
weaver will return to the bag. IL
would not be surprising If Manager
Rowland sent him into the big series
IS shortstop in place of Risberg.
II this should prove to be the case
1cMullin will have Zimmerman as his
ival at third, and the advantage
would be decidedly with the Giants
or the former Chicago club player
Ias.- passed through the test of one
world series in 1909, when he batted
235 and fielded5 1866 for the Chicago
nationals of that year. Zimmerman
lso figures better than McMullin on
he seasons averages of the two
eagues for the Giants third baseman
las batted .296 and fielded ,941 in the
circuit, while McMullin's av-
RACES in the American league are .246
nd 1928. In double plays and stolen
asses, Zimmerman also leads, but il
Weaver goes back to his old position
here will be a far closer struggle as
he latter is fully equal to holding his
wn with zimmerman both at bat and
n the field.
Weaver May Take short.
Risberg has played short for the
,hicago team most of the year and it
vas his acquisition that finally com
leted the White Sox baseball ma
hine, and made a pennant possible.
Re is a rather erratic batter, howev-
r, and for that reason it is not un-
kelly that Weaver will be sent to
hort, in the opening game at least,
nd Risberg held on the bench for s
On this basis Weaver
yould be opposed to Fletcher, the
Iiants' regular shortstop, and the
White Sox appear to have a little the
etter in comparison. Weaver is
etter hitter than Fletcher, fully as
asst and accurate in fielding and con- c
Iderably faster on the bases. Should ]
isberg cover short, then it will be {
who will have the edge botn /
experience and effective playing d
uring the season just closed the Chi 4
ago club has used Jourdan and Byrne O
sveral times as utility infielders in t
EDITION to those already mentioned.
yrne was recently released, however, q
nd Jourdan Is not likely to get into
he game unless Gandil is hurt. Hans q
ebert and j. Smith have also figured
for the New York team, but
icy will also be held in reserve and
OF used unless there should be
srious upset in thes present infield z
The records OF these players are in l
uded with the regulars in the fol- :
wing list of batting and fielding av- Z
RACES, stolen bases and double plays
" the purposes of comparison: I
New York Nationals.
B. f..