The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-09-08
BY GEORGE CHADWICK
Special Correspondent OF The Age-Herald
Copyright, 1922. by The ge-Heraid)

Special Correspondent OF The Age Herald
Copyright 1922. by The ge-Heraid)
New York, September 7.--1f the
American league ever had chance
to win worlds series, 1t will have
one In the month to come. This is
sure unless the mental and physical
assets of the American league are re-
duced to a condition of voluntary
bankruptcy. Here's why;
Unless all that has gone before in
the present baseball season is
grossly misleading and trickster to
prediction, the chances of one team
in the major leagues are such that 1t
will be possible to discuss what that
team may be able to throw into the
duel of 1922 world series.
The team to which reference is
made is the Giants.
Last year there was no early Sep
TENDER assurance The Giants. this
time last year, had their heads above
the ground and were vigorous
sprouts, but the Pittsburgs had by no
means been moved out of the line of
battle. Even after the mauling
which they received from New York
they had chance to win pennant
II was not until we'll along in the
last melancholy days of September,
last year, that the Giants were actual
winners.
First of all, the question will be
asked by many as to whether the
Giants, as a team. are a better team
than they were last year. The an
swer is in the negative. Their
catchers are unchanged and no bet
ter. Snyder seems to have had a good
season yet it is remembered that he
ushered himself. out of St. Louis be-
cause he fell off in his work.
Kelly Improves
The first baseman Is the same and
just as much better at first base as
young man could be expected to
be who becomes more and more ac-
customed to the position and who
tries. AS right-hand first base
man, Kelly Is as good as any right
hand first baseman playing, but he
is not as good as Sisler or Blue.
When Pipp is at his very best he ia
as good as Kelly.
At second base, the sturdiness of
Frisch makes up for the bad under
pinning OF Rawlings. The latter has
not been troubled so much physically
this year Last year he was wrapped
up like an Egyptian mummy most Of
the time, the wrappings soaked with
liniment good for boss and man
F'risch may do better than Rawlings
did in the world series of 1921 but he
win have TO go much further than
Simple Simon went in quest of the
silver spoons at the end of the rain
bow.
Bancroft is quite like the Ban
croft OF last year but little worse
for the year Of 365 days.
Improvement Mt Third
When Groh is sound. the Giants
show they have improved at third
base. The trouble is that Groh is
not very often sound. He has been
out great deal this year and he
is not player who has to be coaxed
TO take care of his joints and
muscles. When thoroughly adjust
ed. physically and mentally, with
each piston rod working smoothly
in it's cylinder and each little
thought tinged with a crimson sun
set of happiness, Groh plays sensa-
tional baseball. but on other days
he doesn't.
There Is nothing in the outfield
to cause anyone to attune his harp
to rhapsodies. Casey StengiL old
and cast off, became star in it.
That is indicative Of some conditions
of baseball these days. Not that
Casey lacks the mental ability. It's
just the other way. His wheels re-
volve in beautiful uniformity but his
pegs are likely to splinter on him
any day and his arm creaks when
he puts 1t to the test of long
throw.
The Pitching Staff
The Giant pitching staff Is made
up of a combination of merit and
mediocrity. The fact that a major
league should let Nehf, Jess Barnes,
Virgil Barnes. Scott. McQrillan.
Ryan and Jonnard, compel it to put
its seven headed neck through the.
yoke, is the saddest reflection thai
could be placarded on 1922 basebalh
True, there was Toney and the
dumb and pitiful Douglas. They