Evening star., 1922-08-15

The Browns this year, after maxi
Ing Threatening motions for couple
of seasons, finally have displayed the
power and stamina flag winner must
possess. and right now must be rated
as favorites for the gonfalon in Ban
Johnson's organization. one reason
for this is. OF course, that they un-
deniably are favored by the schedule.
which calls for them to appear on
their own lot during the str, tch run
of the campaign, while the Yankees,
their most formidable rivals. Will be
battling on foreign fields most of the
time near the wind-up.
Browns Finish ut Home.
Starting Labor day. the Fohls are
booked to appear only at home for
their twenty-five concluding contests.
while in that period the Hugmen have
only five contests carded for the Polo
Grounds, leaving there september TO-,
their final eighteen battles being list
cd for alien territory. thirteen of
them in the west, where the Stlffest
sCrt of opposition may be expected
from the Browns, Tigers, White SoN
and Indians.
The matter of dates is not the
principal reason for according recog-
milton to the Browns as real flag con-
tenders, however. The old saying
that a chain is no stronger than its
weakest link is trite, but true. and
in some quarters. when the aspirations
of the Browns were discussed. follow
ing their attainment of the league
leadership. early in the season. it was
pointed out that the outfit was weak
in reserves. and that in the event of
an accident to any of their depend
ables the team would go katiooie.
Lost Five Regulars.
What happened? Well, no less than
five of their resulars-Shocker, Sisler.
Davis SEVERED and Ellerbe-were in
capacitated at practically the same
time. but instead of saSginS the team
kept on its merry way. winning con-
sistently and staving off a most de-
termined rush by the Ianks. who es-
tablished precedent by winning
more than two-thirds of their games
on the recent invasion of the west.
Sisler was out for week. but
Jacobson, in his clumsy, elephantine
fashion. filled the bill at first base
and developed punch that paral-
leled his great offensive work of
last eason. although he had been
plodding along while in the outfield
some hundred points below his 1921
pace.
The Browns were regarded as
Shocker was forced to the hospital
for an operation on his leg the
critics threw up their hands and
started chanting dirge for the
Browns. But kolD. WRIGHT. Bayne.
Vangilder and Pruett carried on, and
since Shocker's return he has been
relegated to place at least three
notches removed from the position
he formerly occupied ace of the
staff.
Collins Subbed for SEVERED.
When SEVERED was rendered horS de
combat the weeping and waiiing of
>the ST. Louis enthusiasts could be
heard on the Atlantic seaboard, for
Hank not only was credited with
much of the success of Fohl's pitch
ers, but was powerful factor on
offense. Then Pat Collins stepped
into his shoes, and. despite a pitiful
throwing arm, proved a distinct asset
back of the bat. due largely to his
heavy stickwork.
The loss of Ellerbe. due to an in
jured leg, also was regarded in the
nature of a calamity. regardless of
the fact that the Governor was not
enjoying a banner year. for there was
no one to replace him. The aged
Herman Bronkie was tried, and
failed. but the funereal observers
neglected to take Jimmy Austin into
consideration. This peppery indi-
vidual. one of the marvels of base
ball. jumped into the breach and.
despite his forty years of age and
two decades in harness. has delivered
a maximum Of goods as a fielder be-
sides aiding the cause by improving
the spirit and morale of the team.