Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-02-25
BROOKLYN HAS VERY
ROCKY ROAD FOR
SEASON NOW AHEAD
BY H. &. HAMILTON.

NEW YORK, FeD. Z4.-1ne brOOhlyu
club of the National league, champion
of the circuit presided over by John K.
Tener, approaches the difficulties of a
new season in a very wabbly condi-
| ton. Unless Charles H. Ebbets or
some of his ball players weaken the
Dodgers will present strange front
when they take the field on the open
ing day
Also, there is well founded belief
that Dave Fultz and his players strike
will take a we'll aimed wallop at Eb-
bets and his champions unless every
thing is called off.
The Dodgers are far from champion
ship timber this year, compared with
The array of talent that will be thrown
into the field by other clubs. They
would have a hard time keeping the
pace against Giants, Phillies and
Braves even with their full strength
out in the open. The punch that car
! ried them into the stretch last year is
lacking this spring, for it doesn't carry
sufficient power.
On first base the Dodgers will have
Jake Daubert unless the Dodger star
shows up in such bad health that he
| can't play ball His contract, forced
from Ebbets during the troublous days
; of the Federal league, has anothe"
year to run as a substantial figure and
he has little to worry about for the flu
ture. His health has been decidedly
bad of late. however, and red Merkle
or Warren Adams, the latter likely
looking recruit may have first base
assignment.
George Cutshaw, demon second base
man who jumbled up the worlds ser
for the Dodgers, probably will keep
his station if he decides to sign a con-
tract. At last reports he was holding
cut and had decided to quit the game.
Fred Merkle is to be tried out at
shortstop. He has done we'll in nearly
every other position and may supplan1
/ Ivan Olson and the various Other
I shortstops who have been given
/ chances.
Third base isn't so much of a prob
lcm. for the veteran Mike Mowrey did
good job last year and probably will
keep right on doing it.
Jimmy Johnston right now is the
only outfelder definitely known to be
ready to start the trip to Hot Springs.
HI Myers, Buck Wheat and Casey Stem
gel. the bulwark of attack and de-
tense last summer, have been reward
ed with slashes in their salaries. Nat
urally they are peeved and have an
rounced there will be no signing by
them until the original figures are put
back. Ebbtts has declared he will
make another slash if they don't shig
il the signed documents.
| Otto Miller has the brunt of catch
ing thrown upon him this veal
through the lack of good running
mate Chief Myers is rapidly approach
ing the final bump in the decline
| Jack Wheat, a good looking youngstel
and a brother of the famous Buck i:
! going to take a shot at it and MAY
! stick this time.
Ed Pfeffer is another Dodger whose
salary has been nicked by Ebbets. HI
was one Of the most consistent win
ners in the National league early il
the season. He has refused to sign
| Sherrod Smith is another.
Larry Cheney, Jack Combs, Wheeze'
Dell and Rube Marquard are expected
! to be on hand with a number of re
| cruits when the first squad entrain'
I tor the Arkansas springs next Thurs
| Gay. Arrangements have been mad,
to care for a party OF thirty-one per
sons on the trip.