The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-03-31
Infield Problem Is
M'Graw' s Big Worry
With Strong Pitching and
Catching Stats and Cap
able 0utfieId Giants Leader
Is Chiefly Concerned.

NEW YORK. March 3l.-Just what
the makeup of the New York Giants
will be when the 1920 National league
race gets well under way is somewhat
Of a puzzle.
Manager John McGraw, who spent
most Of the winter in Cuba, figured out
a number Of player deals to strengthen
the New York club. But lawns ideals
went flooie. His brother managers
couldn't see Jawn with field glass in
the matter Of lending him assistance in
building up q winner this year. And
money--oodles Of it--failed to snare
such stars as Hornsby and Maranville.
So the complexion of the Giants. the
infield in particular, is a matter yet to
be settled AS this article Is written
reports fom San Antonio quote McGraw
TO the effect that he has given up hope
Of making deals; that the Giants will
be nodded from the material at hand
At this time II appears that the Giant
outfield will remain intact, that the
pitching staff will be the same as that
which carried the brunt Of the work
last season. unless some OF the young
pitchers prove that they are ready for
the big show, and that the catching
staff will be made up of members OF
the team whose names are familiar to
the fans. With four catchers-Snyder,
Gonzales, McCarty and Earl Smith--the
New York club has the strongest array
al the present time. However, one of
this quartet OF wndSAd artists may
figure in trade.
George Burns, Benny Kauff and Ross
Young make up the best outfield COM
bination in the National league for ALL
around ability. Burns. the senior mem
Der Of the trio, is just now at the top Of
his career. Kauff. likewise, Is thor
oughly seasoned player, while Young
Is star OF real brilliance.
Strong Pitching Stats.
The Giant pitchers-Toney, Nehf,
Benton, Douglas, Barnes and Winters,
who were the regulars aNthe close of
last season--are considered just about
by McGraw, In addition to these hurl-
ers The Giant manager has a crop Of
youngsters. Jimmy Carton, a right
handler from Tulsa, Okla; Clarence
Stauffer, another Highlander from
The se Pii ranks IN PeanG1syyans
and Reynolds Kelly, also a right handler
and brother of First Baseman George
Kelly, are the likelest looking rockies
in the Cant squad,
McGraw, isFt. worrying about his
pitching staf& He should worry about
staff that ranks with those of the
Reds and Cubs as the best in the Ma
tional league. But the infeld problem
Is a problem for sure.
With the retirement of Hal Chase
who Is apparently through with the
game for good, though no explanation
of various rumors regarding the reason
for his retirement has been made, Nc
Graw has found himself forced to de-
pend on George Kelly to fin the bill at
the initial corner. Kelly Is a capable
and aggressive youngster and made
such a favorable impression as first
baseman with the Rochester club that
McGraw promptly grabbed him again
after having sent him to Rochester in
the deal that brought Catcher Ear
Smith to New York 1t Is believed
that Kelly will fill the BILL though
filling Chase's shoes in any department
of the game is a mans size task.
Second base may and may not be
cared for by the veteran Larry Doyle
Larry has admittedly seen his bes
days. He Is slower afoot by far than
he used to be and his batting eye has
dimmed considerably. Yet McGraw may
have to fall back on him unless one oil
the Giant rockies comes through will
big surprise-a thing that isn't being
expected along Broadway.