The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-01-19
MORAN PREDICTS
KEEN RACE FOR
FLAG IN 1918

New York, Jan. 1S-Patrick Moran,
the stocky field director of the Phil
lies, made his second winter visit to
New York yesterday for the purpose
of discussing the clubs training plans
with President Baker of the Quaker
club. Moran escaped back to his
home town of Fitchburg, Mass, last
night without suffering any new ca
lamity The last time the New Eng
land Irishman was in our midst he
was compelled to sit idly by while
the great Pitcher Alexander and
Catcher Killefer were amputated from
his battery department.
Whether the Phillies contemplate
any new deals Moran would not say
He contented himself with remarking
that the owner of the Phillies will be
ready to strengthen the club when
ever any advantageous deal presents
itself. It will be recalled that Presi-
dent Baker promised the Philadelphia
fans that the money obtained for
Alexander and Killefer would be util-
lied for buying new material. Moran
predicted a tight, well balanced PEN
nant race in the National League next
season. He declared there is not a
team in the league that will be able
to make a runaway race.
1t is said that Moran and Baker
conferred on some trades to
strengthen the PhilIy pitching depart
ment. Moran says that Outside OF
his batteries he will have a better
club in 1918 than, he had in 1917"
The Philly pitching staff has been
hit hard since the Alexander deal.
Eppa RiXey the tall left handler, who
next to Alexander has been the most
effective pitcher on the Philadelphia
staff, has been commissioned a lieu
tenant in the Gas and Fire Brigade.
Then Wilbur Davis, a recruit pitcher
from Atlanta, who was expected to
fill Alexander's place, has been draft
ed. Davis is a big fellow, tried out
by the Athletics a few seasons ago,
and was considered the best piacher
in the minors last season.
The loss of Alexander, RiXey and
Davis reduces the Philly hurting
corps to the veteran Bender and a
rather mediocre quartet, Oeschger,
Lavender, Mayer ana PTenQerSaSI
hardly an imposing staff.
Moran talks very enthusiastically
about Meusel and Fitzgerald, two out
fielders from the Pacific coast league,
both of whom may play regularly for
the Phillies next season. Fitzgerald
played with the Yankees under Hal
Chase back in 1911. In the event both
Meusel and Fitzgerald come through
Moran will play a brand new outfield
next season, consisting of Fitzgerald,
Williams and Meusel. In that event
the brilliant Whitfield will relieve Fred
Luderus at first base, while Cactus
Cravath will be carried as a utility
outfielder and pinch hitter.
Following his conference with Ba-
ker. Moran announced that the Phil
lies again will train at St Peters,
burg, Fla, next spring. His men will
report about 30 days previous to the
opening of the National league sea-
son. The Phillies will go by boat to
Jacksonville.
Moran says the Phillies are trying
to arrange a. spring exhibition tour
with the Washington Americans
Griffith may take his players to
Tampa, Fla. or Atlanta, Ga. In the
event the Senators go to Tampa, Sc
ries in Florida will be arranged.
Discussing Alexander, Moran eX-
pressed an opinion that there was lit
tie chance of any hitch developing in
the sale of his late pitching star to
Chicago. He said under the agree
ment made by Baker and Weeghman
the deal was to be called off in the
event that Alexander was drafted 80
days before the opening Of the sea-
son. He says the Chicago club has
made no attempt to call the deal off.
In case a Philadelphia National
Washington spring series is arranged,
all major league clubs will be paired
off for exhibition purposes with the
exception of the two Chicago CLUBS
The combinations arranged are the
Giants and Cleveland, the Yanks and
the Boston Braves, Brooklyn and the
Boston Red Sox, Detroit and Cincin'
natl and the two st. Louis clubs. The
St. Louis clubs will play their usual,
spring series in the Mound CITY