Evening star., 1920-01-11

the opening of the 1919 season no
one gave the offensive power of Peck
inpaugh the slightest consideration In
summing up the chances of the New
York club. Yet this spring his chances
of repeating his 1919 performance at
the bat cannot be underestimated in
figuring the chances of the Yankees.
Peckinpaugh's work was one of the
big events in 1919.
Chances of White Sox.
What about the Chicago Ameri
cans? In figuring the chances of
Comiskey's club to repeat in the
American League one must take into
Cicotte. At thirty-five, Cicotte came
through with one of the greatest
years of his career. He largely car
ried the burden of the Chicago clubs
chances on his shoulders. Can he, at
an age when most pitchers are
through as big leaguers, stand an
other grueling race? There is no
question but that the pitching prob
lem is one that must be solved by
Gleason if his club is to repeat. Three
pitchers, Kerr, William and Cicotte,
can hardly be expected again to win
a pennant, and then again they may
turn the trick, despite the opinion
Eyes on the Reds.
In the National League the Gin
cinnati club will receive much atten-
tion. If the club repeats and wins
another pennant, Pat Moran will be
one of the best advertised managers
in the game. If the club should fail
we Will listen to stories about how
Moran's pitching staff was an out
standing feature in the National
League race. His twirlers performed
not only consistently, but brilliantly
throughout the entire campaign.
Judging from what l saw of his
pitchers in the world series, it would
seem he was well fortified in that all
important feature of the game. His
pitchers represent types of all kinds
of pitching. He has the crafty veteran
Southpaw with ordinary stuff and the
sensational youngster with a varied
has the Highlander who uses moth
ing but speed and curves, and the
light -hander who depends upon trick
deliveries for success 1t would seem
that Moran had no need to worry over
his pitching, that it ought to repeat
it's fine work of 1919, but one can
never tell.
The work of Pat Duncan in the 1919
series was one of the bright spots
in the play of the Reds. Duncan join
ed the club late in the season, did
good work from the very start, and
thereby earned the right to play the
very important position of left field
in the series. Duncan richly justified
his choice. both in the field and at the
bat. Undoubtedly Cincinnati is bank
ing on him to continue his good work
in 1920. In the 1919 world series Pat
Duncan looked like real ball player.
In 1920 he may clearly prove that
fact, but listen.
Dreyfus Sold Duncan.
After one of the series games l
was discussing his case with Barney
Dreyfus of the Pittsburgh club. l
mentioned the fact that he looked like
a pretty good bail player. Now, Mr..
Dreyfus is one of the wisest men In
base ball He smiled at my express
sion of praise for Duncan.
Yes. he looked the part today"
play that kind of ball for the Reds
then l am all wrong. Duncan isn't
youngster. 1 have had him under
contract for several years. The Pitts
burgh club needs outfielders. yet !
really sold Duncan to Cincinnati. or
perhaps better, half sold him, as !
had an equal interest in the player
with the Southern League club that
disposed of him. We split $4,000 on
the sale Now / may be wrong, bus .
took a chance on stringing with the
$500"
1t is the same with every club. The
success of a great many teams Will
in measure depend on what some OF
the sensations OF 1919 are able to 90
in 1920.
Copyright 1920. by W. G. Evansl