The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-15
ARE. CUBS RIPE?
VIII They Be N. L. Pennant
COntenders This Season?
Much Depends Upon Ability OF
Mitchell, Their New Pilot.

Chicago, Feb. 15.-What the Cubs
will amount to in 1917 is pretty well
up to Fred Mitchell, the new manager
Joe Tinker took the combined Chi
cago Feds and the old Cubs in 1915
and all the critics placed his team
1928. They were lucky to finish in
the league. Catcher Archer developed
fragile digits and was of little use
The old pitchers had dead wings and
a good many of the players seemed
dead from the neck up. Joe had
tough job and finally gave it up.
The Cubs will leave for their train
ing camp at Pasadena, California, next
Tuesday. Several weeks will be spent
conditioning at this resort. which is
the winter home of William Wrigley,
part owner of the club.
Mitchell is credited with a great
deal of the success attained by George
Stallings with the Boston Braves, but
the most enthusiastic follower of the
club knows he faces a Herculean task.
1.-The Cubs this season should be
great improvement over last season,
for in Mitchell 1 nave one of the most
able leaders in the country" said
President Weeghman today. He is
very progressive and constructive and
knows how to handle the players.
With the addition of AL Demaree and
a few youngsters the pitching staff
in the country.
Will Be in Fight.
although I do not wish to predict
a pennant I believe the Cubs will be
in the fight all the way and will fin
ish in the first division"
One of the greatest problems for
Mitchell will be his catching staff.
Archer is slipping. Art Wilson of
Federal league fame had a poor time
last season but may come back. Row
dy Elliot, the pudgy youngster from
the coast league, showed up we'll last
season and many pin faith on him to
become a first string catcher. Bill
Dillhoefer, obtained from Milwaukee
in the draft, is hailed as second Ray
Schalk.
The slump of Vic Safer at first is
believed by many to have been only
temporary. Fred Mollwitz and Ed
ward McGinnis. the latter from the
sand lots of Boston, are candidates for
Saier'S job.
Larry Doyle's case is causing local
fans much worry. The custodian of
the keystone sack broke his leg soon
after he came here. Steve Yerkes will
| be Doyle's understudy.
Mitchell has four youngsters who
will try to fill the hole at shortstop.
Bill Workman did well during the last
few months last summer. He came
| from Kansas City with great rep,
but his hitting was minus. The others
liet, Ill; Arthur Shay, a Boston sand
lotter and Harry Wolfe, drafted from
Duluth.
Charlie Deal, who played third base
for the braves in 1914, later flopped
to the Feds, may be given a regular
berth at his old position. Another
possibility for this job is Herb Hunter,
obtained from the Giants in the Zim-
norman trade. Rollie Zeider will
take care of the utility race.
Good Outfielder.
Mitchell has a wealth of outfield
material. Cy Williams, the elongated
star. will be seen again in center field
Leslie Mann is the strongest candi-
date for left field. Max Flack, a hold
over from the Feds, will be another
outfield candidate. Harry Wolter, once
of the New York Yankees, will get
a trial. Other outfield candidates are
4 Jackson, obtained in the Zim deal:
Muessel. drafted from Birmingham
Smith from Omaha and Schick a Chi
cago semi-pro.
Il Mitchell will have fifteen men from
which to select a pitching staff. He
has four left handlers including jim
Vaughn and Gene Packard veterans
of last year; Bill McTigue purchased
from Toronto and Reuther, drafted
from Spokane. Among his right hand
ers are Claude Hendrix and Mike
PrendergaSt, veterans; Aldridge, Daw-
son and Carter of the Indianapolis
American club association; Phil Doug
las, recalled from st. Paul; Ehrhardt
bought from Moline; Scott Perry from