The Washington herald., 1921-04-02
EXPERTS CONSIDER
CIBSON'S PIRATES
REAL ''DARKHORSE"
Smoky City Tribe Sure to
Land in First Diyi-
sion, Belief. -

1
with major League tennis. other
stories will follow daiiy3
By Universal Service star Cor
respondentJ
TULSA, Okla. April 1.-The Pitts
burgh. club is the dark horse, of
the National League race, which
promises to be hectic old steeple-
chase this year. with about half the
clubs conceded chance to win.
The training Of the Pirates at Hot
Springs. Ark, where they. cleaned
up every game with the Boston Red
Sox. has been a thorough success in
conditioning. The players, under
George Gibson, also seem to have
the same excellent spirit and enthu-
siasm of the Cleveland Indians un-
der Iris Speaker.
Manager Gibson, however. despite
the development of Barnhar1t, re-
called from Birmingham. thus
rounding out L fac indeld. ard the
promising work of several other
players, is not making any predic-
tions. This, too. Notwithstanding
that the team in the last six weeks
OF the 1920 season found itself to
finish fourth after poor earlier cam
paigning.
| Won't Predict Pennant.
"No. I'm not saying anything
about a pennant," Gibson said when
/ a ,haf h. he sh.,4
we have a good team and will give
We will do our rest. and that's about
all anybody can expect, isn't IL?
That's all I've got TO say"
The Pirates have much strength
now in the infcld. The outficld IS
very strong. and the same holds true
behind the bat, while the pitchers
are a promising array. But whether
the hurlers can stand the gruellinS
grind. with "old man" Babe Adams.
frail Cooper and none-too oo-strong
Earl Hamilton. remains to be seen.
This trio Is corking good one
when going well. Carlson and Pom
der are finger pitchers. Chief Nose
Yellowhorse. the Fawnee Indian. and
Jack Morrison. both from the
Southern Association, may give
added strength. while Eberhard. Of
Wichita Falls, may stick.
Rabbit Maranville. taken from
the Boston Braves for Nicholson
and Southworth, hard-hitting out
fielders, and Barbara. now the
Braves shortstop, plugs a hole at
short that has been there since
the great Han Wagner departed.
Grimm, though a weak hitter. is
coming fast as first baseman. and
is expected to pick up in hitting.
Walter Barnhardt is having lots OF
fine things said about him as a
third basenian and is considered Of
the calibre of "GoIdie" Rapp. new
star of the Giants. Cutshaw Is
still very desirable at second base.
Barnhardt q Star.
This veteran arrived late in camp
and found one Tierney, late of
Tulsa, known as a lighting Irish
man" and in love with the game,
showing so much stuff he seemed
to have a strong grip on the bag.
However, Cutshaw has rounded into
condition speedily and probably will
play second base. with Tierney
ready to step in at any time.
Harold Traynor. costing $4,000
from Portsmouth last year. is a
likely understudy to the Rabbit
This fellow has a great arm and
his work around short and second
has earned him much praise.
Though Southworth and Nichol-
son will be missed for their hit
ting. the trio of Carey. champion
base stealer, at center: Carson Big
bee in left field and George Whitted
in right is a fine one. Whitted was
carded for third base. being an alt
around player. until Barnhardt de-
veloped, and his presence in the
outfield will add much strength Of
fensively and defensiveIy to the
team. Summa. who played some
games last year, Is an emergency
man Of much worth.
Behind the plate. Walter Schmidt
IL at last recognized as star.
Pittsburgh scribes have been claim
ing this fact for long time. He
Is smart" player. a hitter. and
is right on the heels OF Killefer and
Wingo among the leagues back
stops.
Bill Hacffner. his assistant last
season. is a holdout. Mike Wilson,
the Lehigh University player. is a
brainy youngster. and promises TO
become a high-clsss receiver. Cliff
Lee, around several years now, is
still waiting a chance to make good,
though said to be a good catcher II
given enough work. Schmidt is such
a glutton for work and so efficient
that others don't get much chance
Bill Skin. with Bridgeport in the
Eastern League last year, has Just
Joined the club, and Is said to be
good timber.
Barney Dreyfuss has sure enough
cut purse strings this year, and in
consequence Gibson has flocks of
youngsters cavorting for his inspec-
tion. About forty players pranced
around at Hot Springs, and there's
still quite a crew of them with the
team. Some may show enough to be
kept, though there's going to be Q
lot of pruning