New-York tribune., 1921-12-25

Three weeks ago the Yankees didn'tS
seem to have more than an outside
chance to repeat their pennant-win-
ming act in 1922, because of the sus-
pension for approximately the first
Babe Ruth and the hard hitting Bob
Meusel. This left a deplorable hole
in the outfeld and relieved the team
OF much of its batting strength 1t
also added an extra burden to be car
RED by the none too strong pitching
staff, of which Carl Mays and Waite
Hoyt were the only really dependable
members.
The acquisition of Bullet Joe" Bush
ana sam Jones and Everett Scott from
tho Red Sox, however, has changed
the aspect of the entire situation, so
far as the Yankees are concerned.
Among the critics of the game it has
made them favortes for the American
League flag next year. This belief is
passed on the assumption that they can
keep within shooting distance of the
top during the period in which they
are without the services of Ruth and
Meusel, which will be until May 90
Conceding the Flag
1t is significant that out-of town
baseball writer's are generally picking
the Yankees to win again as a result
OF the addition of Bush and Jones to
thelr pitching department.. Even in
cleveland, where the opinion has been
held that the Indians would come back
strong in 1922 and breeze home in
'front.' there are experts who are con-
ced'ng the flag to the Rupert Huston
combination.
Cleveland writer's have shown dig
pos1tlon to throw up the sponge" as a
result OF the transaction that sent
George Burns, Elmer Smith and Joe
harris TO Boston in exchange for John
"Stuffy" McInnis, Frazee's star first
naseman They figure that the deal cost
She Indians lot of hitting power, for
~hlch tney get In return PLAYER who
helds brilliantly, but is an uncertain
quantity in the matter of attack. The
roar that has been raised in Cleveland
Is almost as tumultuous as that which
occurred in Boston when the news Of
the transaction was made public. The
bostonlans are calming down rapidly.
however and on second thought many
OF them have arrived at the conclusion
that Mr.. Frazee didn't do so badly af
ter all.
re, Cleveiand q fans apparently can't see
"Stuffy" McInnis at all, and the general
opinion out that way seems to be that
the Indians have tossed away what
chances they had of winning the nen-
nant in 1922. One Cleveland sporting
writer thought that Boston received SO
much the better of the three-cornered
deals that the Red Sox will he serions
contendeIs for the championships nest
season.
The Yankees could not have hoped
to to make the grade next summer with
the pitching staff with which thev
wabbied through in 1921, with practi-
cally, the entire burden resting on the
shoulders of Mays and Hoyt. The ex
IRA handicap caused by the Ruth
Meusel suspensions would have in all
PROBABILITY killed their last chance.
Enthusiastic Over Scott
~ Ed Barrow, business manager of the
Yankees, who managed the Red Sox for
a couple of years prior to coming to
the tn Yankees, is enthusiastic over the
Scott angle Of the transaction. He
thinks that Everett is the greatest
shortstop in either league and will de-
liver an even higher class of perform
ance for the Yankees than he did with
the Red Sox. Barrow is convinced that
the reliable Roger Peckinpaugh, who
was sent to Boston with Bill Piercv
in this deal, will never be missed bv
Yankee fans when Scott hits his stride.
According to report from Brooklyn
yesterday, the Dodgers have opened ne
gotiations with the Phillies which may
result in bringing Arthur Fletcher,
former Giant shortstop, to Flatbush.
Fletcher retired from the game last
spring, and at that time it was said
that his baseball DAYS were over. The
latest dope from Brooklyn is to the
effect that Charles H. Ebbets wants
Fletcher to play short for the Dodgers
next year.
Navy Refuses A. A. U. Control