The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-10-05
SPORTS

New York, October "A majority of the veterans of preceding world series will be found in the inf1elds of the New York Nationals and the Chicago Amer jeans when these two teams meet late this week in the 1917 series Of the eight players who are expected to de- fend 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 colors of the White Sox. Another peculiarity is that the veteran material will cluster between second and third bases, the initial sack being guarded by less experi- enced players.
 At first Manager McGraw will place cago interests will be defended by Gandil. In years of service and the knowledge which comes with it. Gandi1 will have the edge over his younger opponent. Both are steady, consistent players, covering the bag and the nd- jacent territory without spectacular effort, but with high degree of eff f1ciency.
 According to their records for the past season in their respective leagues there is little to choose between them so far as fielding or batting is con cerned. Holke has a slight advantage of the averages in both these depart ments as we'll as in stolen bases and double plays. He is also three years younger than Gandi1, but when all is considered it is likely that the lat ter's greater experience will slightly outweigh Holke's speedier footwork. The margin if advantage is so small one way or the other that so far as forecasts are concerned, the two play CTS may be said to be equal in of- fensive and defensive work.
 SECOND SACkERS GOOD
 Two of the best second basemen in their respective leagues will be op- posed at the midway sack and the struggle for honors between Eddie Collins and Charles Herzog would be one of the thrilling features of the series World series play is no longer a novelty to either, as Collins has par ticipated in four such conflicts, while a member of the Philadelphia Ath- letics, and Herzog has seen service in three series with the Giants. Both are noted for their ability to rise to ex- treme heights of play at times and from their keystone position to doni- nate the work of the entire infield combinations.
 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 pos- sihility that he may not be available for the series, but this chance is so remote that he can for comparative purposes be considered as the Giants second baseman. If it proves to be oth- erwise the stock of the New York club will suffer severe slump even before the first ball is pitched. AS their rec ords stand for the season, Collins had the better of Herzog in batting, field ing, stolen bases and double plays. The same is true of his averages in past world series. Collins has batted .33S and fielded .975 in four series to Her. zog's .214 and 1858 in three post-sea- son struggles.
 If Herzog enters the fray benefited by the rest he insisted on taking, aft CT the Giants had virtually cltnched the pennant, he may prove to be capa- ble of more efficient work than his records would indicate, for he is one of the best money players" in the game today. He is a dangerous batter at critical moments of the play; re- sourceful and daring in the field and man who is not willing to concede defeat until the final put-out is made. Collins, however, on such records and form as are available must be given the edge at second over the Giants guardian of the keystone base.
 M'MULLIN MAY PLAY
 Injuries also complicate the situation