The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-10-04
Rv RILLY EVAMs

BY BILLY EVANS
Worlds Greatest Baseball Expert.
NEW YORK. Oct 4 Who will
win the world series Of 1921?
In the old days is was possible
to get an answer to a lot Of things
by having Aladdin massage his old
lamp. Those were the happy days.
There being no modern Aladdins
available. it becomes necessary TO
consult the dope pot, and pluck
thereirom hits Of inside infornIa-
ton about the leading players, COM
pare these players and draw con-
clusiou.
In the racing game when all an-
thority seeks To pick the winner,
he considers the past performance
OF the entries. The condition Of the
track, the ability OF the Jockey. and
the class of the field. That is called
handicapping them. and arriving
at a conclusion as to the likely win.
ner. II all reads very nice II the
horses run true to form, but they
seldom do. The same goes for
baseball.
Let us take the members Of the
New York Giants and Yankees.
make a comparison OF the players
at their respective positions. decide
which is the superior Mt that par
ticular spot, add up our deductions
and see what the dope pot offers in
the way Of determining the win
ner.
The Infielders.
I will first compare the infields
of the two clubs. y
At third base Frisch will oppose
either McSally or Baker. Frisch is
remarkable ball player. He is
very fast, a good fielder, and has a
great arm. FrisCh can boot bali
around considerable. and then get
his man through the medium OF his
great arm. He is one of the few
players whose record shows that
stealing bases Is not lost art.
Frisch hits both ways, so is not
bothered by either style Of pitch
ing. When a left.hander opposes
the Giants he simply shifts 10 the
right side Of he plate.
NIcNaIly will field as we'll as
Frisch, and IS nearly as fast, but
OF course will not hit Us we'll as the
Giants third sacker Baker will hit
as we'll, but lacks the speed and will
not play us we'll defensIvely as
Frisch. Thus comparison of the
possible third base candidates gives
that honor to Frlsch OF the Giants.
The Shortstops.
In my opinion, in Peckinpaugh
and Bancroft. two of the greatest
shortstops in the history OF the
game will be pitted against each
other. have worked in many a
series in which Bancroft has played,
and have often seen him in action.
so that can appreciate his great
worth.
on the other hand. to my way OF
thinking, Peckinpaugh IS truly n
m;Svel. For years have been
watching him do the seemingly i'm.
possible, SO 1t Is very likely that
am bit prejudiced in his favor. At
handling a thrown ball with his
gloved hand he is without \ peer,
He reminds you OF Larry LajoIe In
that respect. He can go to his right
vi lGII W itAk GNLNa4 GG7S Gnu AAth%' "a
strong arm. Peckinpaugh Is not
fast Of foot. neither is he slow. At
the bat no is not a great hitter, but
I certainly consider him danger
Qua one.
Bancroft is a great ball player.
rIughey jennings once told me
there never was better shortstop.
HuIhey was q star Mt that position
himself, has seen a lot OF cracks in
action. md should be competent TO
express an opinion. Bancroft, like
Frlsch. shifts to tho right or left
side OF the plate according to the
style OF pitching the opposition OF.
fers. He is remarkable fielder,
fast on his feet, and. like Peck,
uses his brains as we'll as his feet
and arms.
Recently when working in New
York, did n little investigating as
to how the New York sGrIbe7 re.
garded the two shortstops. l asked