The Washington times., 1919-09-29
LEFT FIELD LONE WEAK PLACE In
REDS FOR SERIES AGAINST RIVAL

We already have taken up the Gin
cinnsti Reds in their component
parts. In a brief summing up we
now shall discuss the team as a
whole.
The Cincinnati outfeld was found
to be just average, a pronounced
weakness in left field Offsetting the
presence Of Eddie Roush, one Of the
stars Of the league, in center field.
Left field unquestionably is the weak
link Of the new Cincinnati National
League champions. That is so
whether the veteran, Sherwood Ma
gee, the pitcher, Rube Bressler, or
the novice, Pat Duncan, plays this
Outfeld post. Earle Neale, in right
field, may be rated about half way
between ROUsh and Magee.
The Red inheld was found to be
even stronger on the field than il Is
on paper. The reputation OF Groh,
the little captain and third baseman
Of the team, and First Baseman Jake
Daubert already have been made
But the pennant spirit seized Bill
Kopf and Norris Rath, Cincinnati
shortstop and second baseman, respec-
lively and they are playing better
ball than at any time in their career
It frequently is the case that a red
not championship race Will make some
player formerly regarded as a medi-
ocre, stand out as a star. This was
true OF Butcher" Schmidt, the Brave
hrst baseman OF 1914. Regarded as
a slow, numbering fellow, his play in
the 1914 season and In the worlds
series OF that year was a revelation.
Cincinnati has a good pair Of de-
Dendable catchers in Ivy Wingo and
Bill Rariden, and the forme.' is also
q dangerous batsmRn at. all times.
Then the Redland outfit looms up par
ticularly formidable in pitchers. II
is part Of Pat Moran's genius to de-
velop pitchers. He takes the rough
timber, hews and smooths it off and
then presents the finished article.
In one year FitchbUrg Pat has made
stars out OF Eller, Reuther and Ring.
This trio OF youngsters, with the vet
erans Sallee and Fisher, have formed
q splendid stan. Pitching IS the only
lead over the White Sox in the aver
ages
They Lead the League.
The Reds lead the National League
in batting. The team that Pat Moran
will throw into the worlds series has
q batting average OF .267 against Ma
tional League batting. Allen. the
third catcher. leads the list with .3s5
in II games, while RouBh tops the
regulars with .325. Eddie also leads
the National League.
As already has been pointed out.
the batting abilities Of Eller. Fisher
and ReutheF make the Reds especial |
Iy dangerous, as &c gives Cincinnati
a kick from the first to the ninth
man. And nothing helps a team more
than q hitting pitcher. How many
rallies are ruined BY an .O94 pitcher
coming up with men on second and
third or the bases full?
In former years Cincinnati was no.
toriOus for the low average of runs
they would get for their hits, but
this year the Reds have been a splen- |
did scoring team, crossing the plate |
5IA times up 70 September 3.
In the matter OF stolen bases, the /
Reds rank second in the National |
League. Only Pittsburgh IS above |
them "a the art Of appropriatinE /
bases ahead OF the catcher'B throw /
again has taken q bad /
slump IN the majors in the last five /
years. Up TO September 3, Cincin- /
aatl had pIfered 80 bases. The /
steals were fairly evenly divided 4
among the regulars. Neale led with
b.. and Groh came next with 20
Roush and Rath each had II, Kopf,
10, and Daubert, IL.
Steady On the Field.
The Reds have been a steady held-
Ing aggregation all year. While i,
many people make the mistake OF re-
yarding the Reds as a young team, |.