Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-11
EIGHT 800 H|TTERS
AND IN LAST PLACE
Phils Have Wrecking Crew at
Present-Failure of Pitchers
Keeps Them in Cellar
NEW MEN PROVE STARS

"
dyed in the wool fan can have are
asking each other whether their favor
ties are going to take spurt forward
since the acquisition by the Donovanites
of Goldie Rapp, Jimmy Smith and Ed
Konetchy. During the last week there
was noticeable improvement in the
play Of the Broad and Huntington
streets clan when the three above named
players were In the lineup. One Of the
two games won during the week came
as the result Of splendid playing on the
part of the trio. while the other games
have shown that there Is possibility
that something will be doing in the
future-once the pitching staff gets into
shape.
Outside of shortstop the inner works
looks better than 1t has since the pen
nant- winning team of 1915. Konetchy
with his experience and knowledge of
the game has made the initial sack look
Ike it did when I.uderus was in his
prime. Ludy was n better sluggpr than
konetchy, but he could never field In
the same class as the former Brooklyn
star. j. Miller, and Lee lack the class
OF first sackers for a big league team.
The former batted we'll for while. but
for all around ability he is far over.
shadowcd by Honey. Lee lacks expert
'nce and nothing else. Perhaps n year
OF sitting on the bench and watching
the antics of the veterans of the League
combined with what Konetchy will teach
him should make Lee next year a regu-
lar. He has all the natural ability pec-
essary to make n first sacker. bur the
thing that counts the most, experience,
Is lacking.
How They Hit
Jimmy Smith the former Cincinnati
utility player, is one Of the smartest
fielders we have had for some time. He
covers more ground than Johnny Raw
lings. and he goes after everything hit
near second base. SCoOping up ground
ers and making throws that have opened
the eyes of the fans. Like Lee. he will
CLEAN much knowledge from the veteran
KOnetchy.
Goldie Rapp has the makings of one
Of the best third basemen of the League.
Had he been able to hit with the same
consistency during his entire stay with
the Giants as he did at the start, Nc
Graw would never have let him so.
Rapp is one sweet fielder. coming in for
bunts like Milton Stock and spearing
the hard ones like Heinie Groh. Dot in
his old pasture ground IN the minors
Rapp was noted as n sterling fielder.
Once his hitting picks up, he will be
talked about as much rs any. of the stars
of the League. During the last week he
SuoNtu ThTt DOWtT WIFI IUP WoH, StDHSn-
ing out one hit out Of three times at bat
in his first game. three out Of five. iu-
Guiding a double. in his second game
and two singles out Of four trips to the
plate on Saturday in his third game.
Six hits out Of twelve times at bat for
an average of 800 is hitting something
like a big Lacquer. II Rapp continues
nj his present pace. Donovan will have
one worry lifted from his gray -thatched
dome.
Smith Bats 1915
In four games Jimmy Smith has
socked out six hits. including a homer
and double, out of sixteen trips to the
plate, which is batting at an average
Of .375.
Konetchy has had five hits out of
fourteen trips to the platter for a mark
Of .357, which is right smart hitting In
any league. Taking the three players
as a whole, and 1t isn't the hardest
thing in the world to dope out that In
their first Few games they have given
Donovan thousand per cent profit In
the deal.
A shortstop who can field will give
the Donovanites On infeld second to
none in the League. provided, Of course,
the three new men continue to swat at
their present clip.
The outfield is one of the best in the
league as far as hitting is concerned.
Both Meusel and Cy Williams are away
up In the three hundred list. and both
are good felders. Wrightstone at pres
ent Is batting at 1906 clip. II. Miller
and Parkinson. who have been alter
mating at shortstop, have anything but
unhealthy batting averages the former
clipping the horsehide at 1872 and the
latter at 1903
II the shortstoppers could field. Dom
ovan would have one of the best com
binations In either League. Seven 300
hitters in the field at present, six Of
whom can cover ground, would make
any team with capable pitching staff
pennant contender.
Which, bringing all the facts and
figures down to rock bottom, proves
the failure of the Phils to do any
thing worth while in the League down
to the matter Of pitching alone and
fielding at shortstop.
Donovan eight 300 hitters at present,
counting of course the three day aver
Ages of the new men, to start any game
with. What good pitching wouldn't do
for such team isn't worth talking
about.
Wilbur Hubbell. Jimmy Ring and
Baumgartner have had to bear the
| Drunt or all tne CWlrllHB, WIN OC-
casional help from George Smith
Meadows is suffering from bad
arm. Causey, traded to the Giants.
suffered from a sore arm for months.
Delaware Belts has just returned
from the hospital after an opera
ton. Keenan, was sent to Roches-
ter last week for more seasoning. Out
side of that the pitching staff at Broad
and Huntingdon streets is one OF the
best in the country. But Donovan has
hope. He looks at his fielders and
yearns for pitchers, and maybe he win
get them and maybe. he will not. II
Causey had been in shape and Meadows
pitching in any kind Of form and the
other regulars had sufficient rest be-
tween turns there is little doubt In the
mind of the average fan that the Phils
would be out of the cellar.
Slim Harris. Iron Man
The victory Of Slim Harris over
Cleveland last Saturday was his eighth
straight, a brilliant record for a twirler
with a last place team. Lefty Moore
- has five straight TO his credit. If Rom
= mel. Hasty, NaylOr and Keefe would
= come through the Mackmen would
n sweep their way up to the top Of the
e second division, Judging by their present
d rate of speed with good pitching.