New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-12-14
Higgins Counts
On His Pitchers
For Big Deals
Yankee Manager Anxious
for Trades to Add to
the Speed of the Team
By Miller Higgins
Manager of New York Yankees


Barring possibility of an open
break between the two factions in the
American League, the season Of 1920
should be by far the most successful in
the history of organized baseball. The
nigh water mark in the game was
reached in 1919 in spite Of the fact
that the schedule was shortened from
| 154 to 140 games
The victory of the Cincinnati Reds
over the Chicago White Sox in the
last worlds series damaged the pres
tigcc OF the American League temper
arlly. But | believe that so far as
baseball in general is concerned it will
prove a grand stimulus. The American
League g record can well afford this
one setback And then Cincinnati. after
its many, many years Of failure was
most popular victor to the country gem
orally. Too many setbacks might have
robbed the autumn classic of much of
its charm to National League adj
hercnts.
Lack Of Balance
The season of 1919 was a most Won
derful one from every standpoint. But
the one IN prospect should prove even
more interesting. Conditions we're
very chaotic as a result of the great
war when the last campaign opened.
A number of the clubs had still MANY
stars in service. The result was that
Tine lack of balance in team strength
that characterized the major league
nights of some ten years ago.
| am sure that throughout the last
half of the 1919 season there was bal
ance enough in the American League
to suit the most fastidous. With
the possible exception of the Ath etics
there was not a team but was capable
of giving the leaders a battle right to
the last inning. AS the teams fnisho d
last season any one Of the six must be
considered dangerous pennant con-
tender for 1920.
No one can tell what will develop be-
tween now and opening day. 1t is safe
to assume that number OF trades viii
be made. These, however, should tend
to effect even closer balance than now
rules. | am very hopeful of improving
| The position Of the Yankees above this
years position Of third. Toward this
end | have several deals in prospect
which I cannot discuss here. One. ut
least, may be effected before these
lines are read.
10 begin with, l believe | can count
upon the strongest staff of pitchers in
our circuit. The addition of Carl Mays
invincible Indeed, we have such a
wealth of pitching that if the oppor-
tunity affords number of high class
hurlers may figure in trades to
strengthen other weak departments.
In 1919, because of sickness and in
| juries, the pitching strength of the
Yankees did not develop so per cent Of
its latent powers OF effectiveness
have hopes cf securing one more
seasoned catcho" We have in Truck
Hannah greu u&gcr and in Muddy
Rvcl one q ne most promising
youngsters of the game. Both are
comparative youngsters who will
steadily improve. But backstop of
mighty handy in keeping the great
array of pitching talent keyed up.
Doubtful About Baker
cannot say now whether or not
Frank Baker will return. But | think
in any case the inheld will be well
fortified. At their positions Peckin-
paugh and Pipp cannot be excelled
Pratt was one of the best second
is absent | am satisfied that Fewstel
can fill the bill at third. hould like
to keep him in the outfeld, if pos
sible, as think he would prove sen.
sation there next year. Meusel, from
the Coast, comes highly touted both
as third baseman and as an out.
fielder He is also fast.
The outfeld is the principal worry
Just now. But l hope within a short
time to have two seasoned men foi
picket duty~players who will ado
speed to our combination. The lack
Of speed last season was great i'm
pediment.
The White Sox will have battle
on their hands to retain their laurels
next year. Cleveland needs only 6
little southpaw pitching to make il
one Of the very most formidable teams
of the age. Detroit lacks only in
pitching. Jack Coombs is d wizard al
the art of developing pitchers, HI
should prove invaluable to Hughis
jennings. The Red Sox came back t.
all their old glory in the last two
months of the season. Jimmy B'rkt
worked wonders with the st. Louis
while Washington has but te
strengthen two or three weak spots
to become a. deadly rival of the othel
sura cnntenderS mentioned.