The Washington herald., 1917-03-11
JOB FOR CALLAHAN
To BUILD UP PIRATES
bimmy Will Have to Bolster Both the
Fielding and Hitting End.

New York. March lO.-The managerial
pathway Of Jimmy Callahan Of the
Pirates, this year is not strewn with
rose petals. for Callahan has the uncer-
tain task Of building up a winner over
the foundation OF last years sixth placers
before him And building up q winning
club In the major leagues in Q mans siEe
job.
The figure dope on the Is1e Pirates
shows that they were not first division
ers In any branch Of the game, for, be-
sides finishing sixth IN the pennsnt race.
they finished sixth in both batting and
fielding.
Apparently, then, CaIIahan's task calls
for bolstering in both the hftttng and
fielding ends OF the game, and the hnzt-
ing corps Of the Pirates needs some
attention. too. Al Mamaux. Bob Har-
mon, and Cooper practically form the
backbone of the Pirate pttahtnE star.
Miller, Jacobs, and Evans. Of last ysar>s
stan, together with recruits picked up
BY the Pittsburgh club during the nAll
and winter will be depended upon TO fur
nish the bolstering that 10 necessary.
Callahan is after q first basemAn who
can deliver the goods day in and day
out at the initial corner. He has thought
some Of putting Hans Wagner on the
initial sack and keeping him there, and
Wagner. II is known. would like TO have
the job. But the veteran Honus is still
too valuable as q second sacker or short
stop to station at first base, II some
other player who can hold down ths job
can be found.
Rumors Of trades that wfl put the
Pirates on a firm basis for the coming
pennant race have been flying thick and
fast for the past few weeks, and Gala
han may not be ready TO announce q
definite lineup until nearly time for the
opening Of the season, providing he is
successful in closing q number Of deals
he has in view
President Barney Dreyfuss make, Z
evident that a shake-up IN Pirate ranks
might be made at any time, when he
refused to show concern over the action
Of many Of his players in holding out.
and It was hinted around Pittsburgh
that even Max Carey might be included
In deal II he continued 10 refuse terms
Tho Pirates won their last National
League pennant IN 1909, and Dreyfuss in
yearning TO see his club in the van once
again. for a winter IN Pittsburgh h q
handsome box ONCE attraction and the
fans there are bowling for a club that
can compare with the Pirates Of a few
years ago-the Pirates who were aIwa ys
in the fight for q pennant whenever
they got their share Of the breaks.
Prospects ahead OF the Pirates. how
ever, will not be 20 cloudy as their last
seasons showing might Indicate II CAL
lahsn can uncover some reliable PLAYERS
from among his recruits. He has a fair
ly well balanced outfield. but could uss
one more man OF the calibre Of Carey
and Hinchman. and with a first baser, an
other seasoned catcher .and two more
pitchers who can take their share OF
the work along with the trio already
named. the Pirates should give a very
good account OF themselves
Bigbee. Baird. Schultz. Smith and John
ston, with the veteran Honus Wagner,
will probably make up the field from
which the regular inner circle Of defense
will be selected. unless a deal 10 made
which win bring . first sacker to the
club
The Pirates will try out the virtues
OF Georgta's climate for spring training
this year, having selected Columbus Ga,
as the garden spot for their spring op-
erations- The Brooklyn Dodgers viii ca
wort at Hot Springs. Ark. this year, on
the old stamping-ground Of the PiratsA