Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-01
Catching Staff Weaker.

The catching staff unquestionably is
weakened, for although Sam Agnew
did most of the work last year and is
slated to again carry the burden this
er Red Hosemen. Wally Schang Is the
best hitter of the lot and would
strengthen the attack when used back
of the bat, but Agnew is a far better
thrower and backstop in general and
can hold the speedy shoots of Ruth and
Bush which would handcufr Schang.
At the initial sack the fielding end
Of the game will be taken care Of as
we'll as in 1917, with Dick Hoblitzell
on the job every day, but the team is
weakened on the offensive there this
season as Ell Gainor no longer is
available for service against southpaw
pitching. Hobby is not nearly SO eff
fective when opposing portsiders as he
is against righthanders.
Thus far Dave Shean has filled Jack
Barry's shoes at second base in an
admirable manner, but the former In
ternational League veteran started well
with the. Cincinnati Reds last season,
lower figure than Barry compiled in
more games against the admittedly
stronger pitching prevailing in the
American League. In fielding Barry
was the leading second baseman of
Ban Johnson's circuit, with record
of 1913, while Shean's mark was 1861.
Shean unquestionably is an intelligent
with the brainy Barry. The Sox are
weaker at second than last year.
Everett Scott, at short, still is a
yaungster and. although, not having
the advantage of working along side
Barry, should easily hold his own in
fielding this year. and possibly improve
in stickwork, but third base presents a
problem. the solving of which must
wait the showing of Stuffy McInnis.
who is being made over from a guard
ian of the initial sack to third base
man. To date, McInnis has proved
surprise by the manner in which he
has handled his unfamiliar duties, but
it is exceedingly doubtful II he can
the season as well as the veteran Larry
Gardiner, whom he has succeeded. Nc
Innis normally is better hitter than
Gardiner, but it remains to be seen
whether the responsibilities of per-
forming in a strange position will
affect his stickwork. Such a shift usu-
ally interferes greatly with a mans
normal batting pace.
Have Better outaeld.
In at least one of the outfield posi-
tions the Sox have been greatly
strengthened. Amos Strunk. in center.
being far better ball player in every
particular than Clarence Walker,
whose place he is taking. Strunk is
not only better hitter and fielder. but
is much more dangerous on the bases,
and has as accurate. if not as strong
a throwing arm. as the red-haired Til
lie. In right, Harry Hooper again is
holding forth. He is one of the best
outf1elders in the business. and has no
peers at the pegging end of the game,
but he is a veteran who. because of his
years, may be expected to slow up a
trif1e. rather than improve.
The added strength in center is more
than Offset by the loss of Duffy in left
of the Sox to attain the 300 class in
hitting. landing two points above this
mark. George Whitman, former Inter
national Lacquer. started off in this
position, but has been replaced by
Schang. drafted from the backstopping
department. White-man is far inferior
to Lewis in all departments of play
and Schang. although a wicked hitter.
is not as capable a batsman as Lewis
by some fifteen or twenty points. and is
not nearly as efficient in all around
worth as his predecessor.
a summing up shows the team to
have been strengthened in but one po-
right, at short and in pitching. and
weaker back of the bat, at first, sec
ond and in left. with third base re-
naming doubtful. In the manner of
reserve strength. however. a most i'm
portant consideration, Manager Bar
row Is far less favorably fixed than
was Barry. who had in addition to
Foster Pennock, Bader and wyckoff a
pretty capable second string of pitch
ers. Thomas. Cady. Janvrin. McNally,
Gamer. Shorten and Walsh, with a
catcher. Schang playing the outfeld.
Barrow has only Whiteman as utility
gardener and only the rookie Sam
Jones in addition to Ruth, Leonard, |
Mays and Bush. the big four of his
the strength of the team is in the |
lineup every day and should one of the |
regulars be taken i'll or injured the |
power of the club would be seriously |
impaired. The best point in Boston's |
likely to be disturbed by the draft un-
less the men in class 2, 3. or 4 are
called. but with its present lineup un-
be expected to subjugate the champion
Chicago club. which. in 1917. triumphed |
over a mora form id a tle out az ~ :. LLaSu