Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-14
YANKS APPEAR GENUINE
WILD BILL DONOVAN SEEMS
TO HAVE SECURED REAL CLUB
New York Americans suffered Much Ill
Luck During Lust Scnson-ibctter
Showing Predicted.

NEW YORK. March i$.--Wild Kill
Donovan is noted for his happy sriic
and his sunny disposition.
iiill 'f'as every reason in the world
1" smile. The answer lies in IL" ball
club l:ill Will inject into the coming
race for tho American Icaeu" p"nnant.
Amy big league manager with pros
poets as bright for a good year would
b" ms fun OF chucklrs as the ocean is
OF water. and tie Yankees certainly
look lik" Il real hall club.
\ glance backward to tho season
Of 1916 recalls the fact that pouov.. <
fankS suffered more hard luck in the
May of Injuries to players than any
other American l."a&u" club. Yet they
finished in the first division.
glance ahead to the coming sea-
son c"nvinccs rs that with an equal
shar" Of good breaks. those same Yam
KEGS ought to better their position III
American League society. They Tin
iShcd fourth last fall. and they were
never on, OF the first division during
Tho first four months IT The race. Then
the tough breaks BEGAN to come. ana
things looked dark for the Yauks. ,:ut
they fought themselves into a FIRST d.
vision windup and deserve 4 world OF
credit for il;
Eili Donovan had no urgent rca son
70 20 out after a raft OF new ball
players during The fan ana winter
OF the most promising. players IN the
American League. ANA a share Of the
stars All Hll wants Is - chance to
put his fun strcnsth in the field and
keep u there without Interference
from the old .Ii,lx
Frank Baker viii hc back in the
harness this year. fresh as Il daisy
Ills cracked ribs have healed. and his
third basinE job is a cinch Incl
dcniallN. Baker IS ont this year To
regain his homc-run title. and he will
have Il club mate. Wallie Pipp. fight
ing him for the honors pipp is cN-
rer'cd 10 play in top form this year
and Donovan has no cause for worry
ing over the iirst-basc position.
Fred Maisel may be the regular
second-sacl<rr for the yanks. and Joe
Gedcon fell down in 1916. and may he
headed FOR the minors before the 1917
race gets under way. Roger pcckiu-
panSh VIII do conturtionS around the
short field and Paddy Baumau and
anger AraGon stand ready TO fill in the
gaps u injuries oTer;ake the regulars
FRIENDS Of Lee Magcc are predicting
a great year. for him. Last year Lee
was over anxious. He tried roo hard
10 I'VE up I" ths reputation he carried
with him when he signed ia, con
tract with tn. Yankees Lee should
De able TO Improve his hitting Ills
icidinG IL h"tue figured ahead of time
-
iiuShte High and Frank t;ilhoolcy m
ne gardens. and ilendryx looks like a
sure thihI for the utility outncld lob
IN Walters and Nunanakcr the YAM
hccS nave - brace of steady back :
shoppers. and Donovan is proominr
several young knights of tho padded
mt for emergencies
The pitching department or tho
lanks viii get moro attention from
donovan than amy other. And when
IL comes to tine business Of grooming
pitchers, Wild EiI is there lik. n ducl
MoSridsr. tuliup. Shawkey Fisher.
Love. Sho"kcr and Russell from IN,
nucleus ami tn" eccentric Ray Cald-
Wei! mas promised 10 settle down Ia
business aud behave. IL Caldwell l<ceps
ms promise - the Yankee owners and
! succeeds III rounding into form. Dono-
van viii BE- fortunate in having on.
ol IN" best pitching STATS in IN.
League. Caldwell is u wonder when h..
wants TO pitch. and the other mem
n"rs Of the STAFF. particularly Cullop
ar" all dependable chuckers
Donovan is giving a number of
young wig.l.rS the north and south
ms spring. lie has recalled Sev.ra!
hurl"rS and picked mp several NOR.
whom hc believes have the mahinrs
Tho rookie stan Of hurlcrs includes
i'i"rcH. Tipplc Ross. Enwright Me
Graw. Ferguson and Monroe