New-York tribune., 1919-03-27
Only disappointment Is
Failure of Perritt to Re-
port; To Play Tigers
By w. ]. Macbeth

New York Giants, who, under his ad-
ministration have done so much to
advertise the great metropolis among
sport lovers, seems to improve each
day of the training season in this
university city. There is no longer a
cloud visible on the 1919 horizon. unz
less indeed it be the clouds that have
been gathering for the past twenty4
four hours or more for a threatened
deluge that has crossed" the progs
nostications of the oldest inhabitant:1
The brewing storm has the good
townfolks worried most to DEATH
They had hoped tomorrow to have
their first peep at major league base
ball, for McGraw had promised to put
on the first short practice game of the
year between his regular lineup and
the Rochesters, or sod busters. SIS.
" hlie McGraw is always anxious
TO please population apparently bent
upon pleasing him and the rest of the
visitors IN every particular, he neverv
theiess Is not worrying tonight over
the possibility of rain. He is far too
pleased with the development and
progress of his players as a whole and
IN certain particular cases to worry
over possible rest of day or two.
Will Carry Big WalIop
For if the early work of the ath-
letes here is to be taken as critic.
rion of what may be expected later
the Giants of 1919 will carry greater
wallop than any club the little Napo-
leon ever before managed, and that IS
not excepting the worlds champions OF
1905.
Ever since he secured the services
OF Hal Chase, thereby rounding our
the most efficient infield in the parent
major league. McGraw's worries have
centred on the question of pitching.
The announced retirement of Poll
Perritt was a great blow to his hopes
He still believes this sterling right
handler will return in good time.
though he has heard nothing further
from him. But whether or not the
Louisiana string bean recants McGraw
finds himself in q much better way
toward fortifying his batteries than
he would possibly have hoped when
he first came here. Indeed Perritt's
allegiance can no longer be regarded
as a matter of life and death to pen
nant hopes.
The very fortunate return to his
1917 spring form of Ferdie SchupP,
settled the southpaw question in Mcn
trusty southpaws now. For Rubs
Bentons army life brought him here
some fifteen pounds lighter than he
has been thus early in the spring for
many years. Two such capable south1
paws az Benton and Schupp are bound
to prove this year, barring accidents,
guarantees of sufficient portside piteha
ing strength to answer all pressing de-
mandS. 49,
The staff of right flanders has been
decidedly unsatisfactory to McGraw
for the past two years or more. despite
the presence of Perrtt Perritt's re
turn this year would improve the cause.
Yet 1t would seem now that McGraw
will boast more reliable pitching of this
denomination than he has enjoyed since
the fading of Mathewson at the close
OF the three consecutive pennant sue
cesses of 1911'12-'13.
Jess Barnes, of course, is the big ace
of the right handlers. He proved his
worth last season before joining tic
army by winning seven out of eighf
games pitched. He returns from ttc
army fl as the proverbial fiddle and Is.
satisfied in his own mind that he is
facing the most successful season OF
his bright young career. He seems 4
fitting leader for the flock Of right
handed pitchers. la.
Smith Shows Improvement
George Smith, former star of the
Columbia nine, seems another brilliant
right-handcr who may give Barnes u
rumble for the pitching honors Smith
IS one hundred per cent improved over
his form of year ago. Then he
lacked confidence, now he is chock-fulI
n af1l 1.
noodle with the best of them
Smith in every particular is making
good the midwinter predictions Of
Wilbert Robinson, manager of the
Dodgers Robby borrowed Smith from
McGraw last summer when Brooklyll's
pitching staff was shot so pieces Robby
turned the Giant failure against the
Giants, and with him took New York 5
measure handily. McGraw soon rcs
called Smith. who apparently had de-
veloped overnight in Brooklyn usrl-
form. rcd
The secret is now out. Those VIII,
have watched Smith here might easily
guess it. In Brooklyn Smith went back
to the slde-arm delivery that made him
famous as collegian. With New
York the first time, he attempted 20
copy the style of Mathewson, whom
he greatly resembles. and who used q
decided overland delivery.
There arc at least two other right
handlers not likely to disappoint either
These are Cecil Csusey. Floridzis
native son, and Jess Winters. Causcv
earned his spurs with the Giants last
year and was considered a regular.
Winters, the sensation of the minor
leagues, has come uD with his ae9
customed confidence. He looks the
part of pitching grace and effectivcAs
ness. He IS young man of ice and
possesses nerve of steel. He will
not be scared, at least, out of any
company. 1t would seem, then, thah
McGraw's pitching worries are as well
rs buried, and pitching was his only
worry. Il
Early as is the training trip, it *
nevertheless possible to hazard a pretty
good guess as to the men McGraw
intends to keep, outside his batteries.
when it comes time to prune to twentv-
one. The veteran nheld-Chase. Doyle.
Fletcher and Zimmerman is the
niftiest ever boasted by the Giants. !,
Two extra iniielders at most can bn
carried. These are sure to be Baird
and Sticking, both of them versatilE
voting men. Burns, Kauff and Young
will be understudied by .'I..i Thorpe.
NO doubt the Indian is much better
than any OF the rookie outfield talent
assembled here.
The committee which attracted the
Giants to Gainesville this spring does