Evening star., 1921-10-04

that the form players are running
which has an edge. Usually a prep
ting strength, defensive skill, speed
majority of observers to incline dehr
in the present instance these essent
statisticians and dopesters are stymi
If any leaning one way or the
other exists it is toward the Yankees
and is based largely on the presence
in their lineup Of the mightiest
slugger Of all time and to the fact
diamond crown representatives Of the
American League have been VIC
torious in q large majority-eleven
times against six, to be exact.
Teams Are Well Matched:
However. aside from the hunch
based on past performances. no sound
reason exists for favoring the Yam
be staged in one ball park. As a
matter Of fact. the strength of the
rivals in each position, including
pitching, Is SO evenly balanced that
the outcome may be decided on the
bench instead of the field. in which
event the Giants will have a very
distinct advantage. There Is no de-
bate on this score.
whatever else may be said of John
McGraw, he is one OF the most as
actly what each Of his men is capable
of in any given circumstance. and
is resourceful and courageous. So
completely does he dominate the
Giants it may truly be said he is the
brains Of the club. use your own
judgement" is a phrase McGraw sell
dom employs. His players, for the
most part, are capable of doing this
thing to good advantage. but that Is
not the McGraw plan. They are all
the general, and he orders their every
move on the battlefield. AS assistants
he has Hughey Jennings. himself .
veteran pilot of world series eXper-
fence with the Detroit club. and Jesse
Burkett, both graduates OF the Nc,
Graw system of base ball, pursued
with such great success by the old
Baltimore Orioles. With McGraw as
chief and a jennings
Burkett combination on the coaching
lines to personally direct strategy.
few tactical errors may be expected
on the part Of the National Leaguers.
Hugsins Entirely Different.
In contrast to McGraw-fiery, en-
ergetic, blustery, even bullying-is
the quiet and retiring, although earn
est, Miller Huggins. The latter may
have sound theories on the game, al
critics who have followed the for
tunes Of the Yankees since he took
charge, but, unlike McGraw. he Is
devoid of personal magnetism and Is
incapable of inspiring them to great
heights. granting he has the discern
ment to correctly appraise situations
as they arise. 1t is divulging no
secret to say that Higgins does not
enjoy the complete and unquestion-
ing confidence of the Yankees which
the Giants rspose in McGraw. The
Giants go about their work like well
fabricated cogs in q machine, while
with the Yankees individualism pre-
walls, with the handicap that always
accrues from lack of team work.
Back Of the bat there is little to
choose between Schang, who un-
doubtedly will bear the brunt of work
for the Yankees, and Smith and Sny-
der, and at first base Kelly's bat will
be offset by Pipp's superior fielding.
The Yankees have distinct edge at
the keystone sack, where they have
much more dangerous hitter than
Rawlings. who is merely capable
and experienced plugger.
Frisch Great Third-Sacker.
To Offset this the Giants boast in
Frisch q third baseman with more
all-'round ability than any one now
playing the position. McNally, who
has been playing there for the Yam
KEGS with such conspicuous success
since Baker was injured several
weeks ago, does not have to yield to
any one in defensive. skill. but he
lacks some Is points of being in the
class Of Frisch as a batsman. and, al
though the speediest Of the Hugmen,
is mere novice on the paths, where
as his Giant rival has amassed more
than fifty thefts to lead both big
leagues by wide margin. The short
stopping should be toss-up between
the rival captains. Peckinpaugh and
Dow - 4.
may be on the side of the latter be-
cause Of his greater nimbleness.
There Is. of course. no comparison
in left field. where Ruth compile tely
outclasses Emil Meusel. In center
Miller Is almost. II not quite. as val
liable a performer as Burns. and in
right field Young's superiority over
Bob Meusel is more apparent than
real. for. although he is a far better
fielder and possesses an equal batting
average. the Yankee has probably the
strongest throwing arm in base ball
distance on hits.
fanks Strong on Reserves.
The Giants are at a disadvantage
so far as reserve material is concern
ed. with Cunningham. Brown and
Stengel for the outfield and only one
youngster. Koof, available for infield
relief, while the Yankees have Roth.
HHWkS ana Fe"Slef Tor picket work,
with the latter also available for the
inf1eld in addition to Mitchell and
Baker. Incidentally, the latter is not
expected to confine his participation
to decorating the bench Should Nc
Nally's stickwork in any measure
disappoint, J. Franklin will be found
at the far corner, and in that event it
is safe to predict the Trappe farmer
will demonstrate the wherefore of his
monicker-Home Run Baker The
Marylander is a money player and
shows to best advantage when the
stakes are high.
Pitching has been adjudged almost
unanimously as being practically 80
per cent of base ball, whether figured
on the basis of a game, series or a
season. and it is in the box that the
forthcoming debate will be decided.
It is the inability of the experts" to
figure what may be expected of Nehf,