The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-08
SPORTS
RejuDenQted BROWNS Slated
To Upset Calculations OF
Boston, Chicago, NeW York
Fielder Jones Machine Work Without the Jealousy and
fractional Trouble That Proved Thorn in the
Side of Last Years Pennant Hopes
BY HUGH s. FULLERTON


St. Louis Browns (please don't
laugh) this year threaten to be one
of the toughest propositions in the
league-a team that is liable to come
strong, upset the calculations of Bos-
ton. Chicago and New York and mess
up the whole league standing.
Just how strong this team will
dope when we get to actual figures.
is a problem, but if it looks as strong
then as it does now, we are going to
have a big X to figure in the algebra
of the American league.
First, the Browns last season were
a much stronger team than they proved
to be on the ball field
Second, the Browns are stronger in
the vital departments now than they
were a year ago.
Third, the big problem of the team
Cinternal dissension) seems solved.
When one figures the Browns, 1T is
necessary to know conditions. Last
spring the team, formed half and half
of American league and Federal league
stars, looked strong. Jones is undouDt-
eddy the best manager of his kind in
the world, the most scientific run get
erals But Jones failed because he could
not meld the two elements into one
team From the start, there were
cliques. The Federal and American
league players refused to associate
with each other. Often they refused to
room together even to ride in the same
sleeping cars. Jealouses and i'll feel
ing resulted. Many of the high class
fellows became Disguised The owner
n fl,nt do
players sore; they sued him and gen.
eral trouble resulted. On top of this,
the pitching STAFF. the weakest depart
ment on the team was shot all to
pieces Earl Hamilton, who was star,
exploded and went to the minors. Carl
Weilman, one of the best pitchers in
the league, became i'll, was operated
on and kidney was removed-ruining
him as a pitcher and ending his base
ball career Eddie Plank, the veteran,
racked his body so badly in a 14-in-
ing game against Washington that he
could not pitch again last season--if
he ever can. Pratt and Lavan, having
sued Owner Ball, practically were out
of it, and Jacobson and Sloan enlisted.
The team, which figured to be well
up in the race, had a hard time keep
ing out of the last position.
WILL BE GREAT MACHINE
During this winter the team has been
rebuilt, the factional trouble appears
to have been eliminated, and 1t looks
like great and a coming ball club.
Severoid. Nunamaker and Hale-a
corking trio of catchers-make that de-
partment strong. The inffeld probably
will be Sisler, Gedeon, or Johns, Ger
Der and Maisel with Austin, Magee and
Ernie Johnson in the reserve. Johns
may be disposed of before this is
printed. as Salt Lake wants him and
the team owes Salt Lake players.
The outfeld does not look as strong
as 1t ought to be for team with PEN
nant aspirations and first division
hopes. John Tobin comes back from
Salt Lake; Demmett. who has been in
and out Earl Smith who was bought
from Omaha; and Kenneth Williams,
purchased from Portland, will fill in
the jobs.
There is lot of punch in that quar-
tet, and Ray Demmett is touted as be-
ing much improved.
The trades of the winter have been
aimed at Strengthening the pitching de-
partment The success of these trades
remains in doubt, but the Browns GER
tainly have strengthened that depart-
lnent without great loss to the infield.
Having Pratt and Lavan to dispose of,
they had little trouble in picking the men
they wanted and from Jones selections
it is evident that he was choosing pitch
ers to beat Chicago and New York. There
was one bit of tough luck: Ernie Koob,
the corSing little left7handed, probably
will not be with the team. He is trying
for the aviation service. and is of draft
age and in the first call.
Shocker and Culop, secured from New
York, Loudermilk. the long string bean