The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-31

few weeks, however. The team
more than held up with the others
of the league. For six weeks it BAT
tied along in the first division and
was recognized as a pennant-con-
tender. Attendance at home was
satisfactory.
Then McQuiIlan's unfitness be
gan to manifest itself. Taking the
team away June Is, resting in third
position, with every prospect OF
becoming the pace-setter, he
| brought it back two weeks later
! sadly battered. New faces made
the team almost unacceptable TO
j the fans. Con McInerney and Joe
Burke, promising outfielders whom
McQuillan had at one time lauded
to the skies. were missing, as was
First Baseman Elliott, who had in
dications of developing into a
sterling performer He returned
with Leach and Cummings, out
fielders, and Wire and Schirmer,
ed disappointments and were later
cast aside.
In spite of the numerous changes
in the team, it managed to get
along through the forepart of that
disastrous road trip in fairly good
shape. There was no hint of the
crack to come until the Islanders
struck Bloomington, where three
reVerses in a row left them with
only five victories in IA starts 10
show for their efforts
The team got back to Douglas
park July for long at-home pc
Rod. Believing there was still a
chance to pull out of the mire and
regain commanding position in
the league race, the directors of the
fans association were quick to acr.
Satisfied that the blame rested at
McQuillan's door, he was ousted
from the managership July 5 aud
the next day Elmer Benson, veter-
an second sacker, was boosted to
command. Rock Island was then
in fifth place and below the 500
mark in percentage.
II was d1SrOuraging outlook for
Benson, to say the least. He pos
sessed a uDer-abundance of dead
timber in young and inexperienced
players. The pitching staff, which
previously had been the big factor
n the Islanders favor. was on the
'ocks. The loss of Pitcher Frank
smith because of illness, was a Sc
'ere blow in view of the fact that
3erg and Mackey, youngsters, and
danouk, a vet, had failed to do
.nythlng other than lose several
sames. Lefty Ross. too, was \
disappointment and all Benson had
OF dependable mound duty were
ambrose and Miller. To top this
II, Bill Cole, star batter and ouf-
elder, was injured.
The team failed to better itself
'lthln the next few weeks. More
az luck struck the camp on Jury
manager Benson was severely
urt IN an automobile accident. and
lie team was deprived of his ser
ices Tor the next three weeks. In
lie meantime Charley Connolly.
itcher, was given charge.
Take Bad Lacings.
The first day of Benson's absence
reduced surprise. The team
aged with pepper and dash
'ainst Moline that could not be de-
ed, and won, 3 to 2. 1t was a
ere hash, however, for on the neyt
10 days the Islanders took the
orst beatings ever administered a
'ck island team. The scores ware
10 and 20 to 8, hard under anv
rcunstances, but doubly so he
use or Moline performing the
DIX. Inc next day the team
owe nightly to regain their
It morale and succeeded nv VII,
lg, 6 to 5. WIN
The slide to the bottom Of tho
rcentage column could not he
ecked, however. The team reach
1t July % for keeps. Cedar Ran-
MT a winning stride at this no
q while the Islanders continued
take the bumps. The distance h.,
zen the Two gradually widened
"nen benson rejoined the team
~ IN August, there was little
'spect OF overcoming the sIumn
8 enough ID overtake the Bun
Prospects for 1922.
I've cities, Rock Island Cedar
bids, Dubuque, MarshaIItoW-n
ottumWa, are prepared to az
tie with the proposed new
que Baseball men of these
;es are active in keeping tho
posltlon alive. The cities will
representatives to another
tihg IN January, at which time
noped definite steps toward the
aihg OF the circuit will be TAX