The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-17
(By r. T. Rocene,)

race are discussed. The reason Tor
these doubts Is the complete collapse
OF the Brooklyn team in the worlds
series games last fall. OF course. the
Superbas will not repeat II they play
with the lack Of spirit they showed
against the Red Sox, but otherwise
there 10 no reason why Robinson's team
should not be right UP with the first
three. The same pitchers and the same
batters will be back. and the same old I
wise head will direct the team. Indeed
with the confidence that winning
team always has. the Brooklyn team
should put up q pretty fight in 1917,
though there are. undoubtedly. better
teams in the National league than the
1916 pennant winners.
Many experts have awarded the 1917
flag to John McGraw's Giants already,
but the Joints" neighbors over Fiat
bush way led them last year. In spite
Of the New York mines two sensational
spurts. and by winning the flag. the
Superbas plainly showed that q steady.
plodding team is better than one that
flashes and then slumps.
First Since 1899.
When wilbur Robinson won the flag |
In 1916, 1t was the first time during |
the twentieth century that Brooklyn
team had accomplished that difficult |
feat. Back in 1899 the Superbas. with
Fielder Jones. Joe McGinnity, Willie
Keeler and others long since passed
out of the game, won the flag for
Brooklyn, and II years flew by until 1t
was brought back there again.
'Robby," as the manager Of the Su-
pcrbas is known. is one Of the few
veterans Of the early nineties who are
still in the game. Back in 1894 Rob
bie'' played on the Baltimore Orioles.
among his team mates being John Nc
Graw and Hugbey Jennings. Robin
sons tendency towards plumpness put
him out of the game six or seven years
ago, though he acted as coach of the
Giant pitchers for several years after
that. When he was offered the man
agcment of the Brooklyn team by
Squire Ebbcts, his old team mate, John
McGraw, for whom he was working.
gave him his release so that he could
grasp his big opportunity. Robbie" is
a splendid coach of pitchers, and is
given credit for developing Rube Mar
guard and other star twirlers.
Fat Hurts Catcher.
John Tories (Chief) Meyers and Otto
Miller are the mainstays of the catch
ing staff. Meyers was considered the
best backstop in the National league
in l911-1912, but during the last two
years his playing has been severely
ha,npered by increasing obesity, which
besets many catchers, due to their
continual squatting. and last year the
chief slowed up badly towards the end
OF the season. Otto Miller has been
in the major league since 1910, and Is
rated as a good catcher, though he
has never busted any fences In the big
leagues. Snyder, who played we'll with
Macon in the South Atlantic league
last year, viii put in a bid for a job
On the staff.
Eight Veteran Pitchers.
Everyone of the eight hurlers who
were members. Of the mound corps last
season are back at the Superba train
ing camp this spring. Big Jeff Pfeffer,
the giant hurler who won 25 and lost
II games in 1916, Is the main reliance
of the team. Pfeffer was unable to do
himself justice in the worlds series on
ovcrwork, but Is expected to be in
shape when the bell rings. Larry
Cheney, former Cub. Is another standby
OF the Superbas. Larry won IL and
lost ~ last year. "Rube' Marquard
turned a new leaf after joining the
Brooklyn team and won IS of the 19
games that he hurled in 1916. When
consistent in and outer. pitching good
ball at times, and at other times just
stood on the mound and threw the
ball, while the outfielders "shagged
the pill to the fences until their tongues
hung out a foot. Sherrod Smith, the
slim southpaw, who did good work in
the worlds series. won ii and lost IL
games last season. Sherrod, who fluc-
tuated between the minors and the tall
grass several times before he developed
into n STAR is expected to win two.
thirds Of his games this year. The
veteran Jack Coombs. reformed Ath-
letic, won Is and lost eight in 1916
Coombs has never fully recovered from
injuries sustained while winning thu
worlds series for the Athletics siz
years ago. and it is said that he viii
devote most of his time this year to.
wards coaching the young pitchers
"Weiser' Dell. the big Butte boy, wa,
somewhat Of a flivver last year. Del
won eight and lost nine, but failed t.
show his 1915 form. Dell pitched fo1
Butte in the Union association in 1912
played with Seattle in 1913 and 1914
and the next spring was sold to Brook
lyn. ''Weiser" is well remembered II
Missoula, since he was with Butte ant
Hamilton. His last appearance q
Campbell park was in a pitchers bat
tie against Carl Druhot. Dell winning
his own game with a long hit. in tn