The Washington times., 1923-05-08

ed series with the MachIHeH' AnO
ever, but for this season at least.
The Macks shaped up as a gooo'
team when they began the current
campaign and they have mace
good on their advance notices.
Many smart baseball men pick them
to finish in the first division. One
thing is certain; they are not soft
piclkings" any more.
In the eight years that have
ELAPSED since Connie Mack began to
dismantle his champions the Ath-
letics have sputtered internationally,
but seldom blazed into sustained
brilliance.
Mack has never been able to per-
feet a combination with the vital
spark in it. For years he struggled
to replace the pitchers he scattered
no lavishly after 1914. Then his
infield could never be made to hit
on all four cylinders. He expert
mented with many combinations,
but could not find one to function
rs efficiently as the Collins-Barry'
partnership.
As fast as Connie thought he
had fixed up his machine in one
Mace il began to develop rattles
and creaks somewhere else. The
Athletics became a byWOrd In
the American League. They lost
rs many games in season as
they formerly won. They sank
into the cellar and remained
there, rarely lifting their sorry
heads above the ruck.
Folks began to forget that Connie
Mack had ever won worlds cham
nionships. They said Connie could
manage only when he had a team
to manage. They said he wouldn't
pay good salaries. Occasionally
crack young players drifted into
Comics net. When they became
good they demanded to be sent
elsewhere.
FINALLY the Athletics came to be
regarded as perennial tailenders and
Philadelphia patronized them grudg-
ingly and in small numbers.
Mack, now past sixty, but men
tally alert, still sits on the bench
and patiently directs his young
men. If Connie weren't patient he
would have leaped into the Schuyl-
kill long ago, for he has worried
along with some terrible teams.
Still, he never abandoned hope
that he would some day strike
winning combination. After he dis
posed of his veterans Mack failed
With green youngsters. At one
time the average age of his infteld
was only twenty-three and all his
pitchers were young.
Such teams cannot compete
through long, hot campaigns with
seasoned opponents. Several times
the Macks started well, only to
wither in June or July.
For the last three or four years,
however, Mack has been develop
ing q team that now commands
respect in the league. He has
built il around some first class
batteries which were not formed
In day.
His infield is the best he has had
since 1914 because of the wonder
full improvement of his shortstop'
Chick Galloway, in the last year
third base. In the outfield he has
picked up one youngster who prom
Uses to become a major league star
in his first year.
Connie is getting the breaks at
last.
Three pitchers who may now be
classed as vets" are bearing the
brunt of the defense of the Ath-
letics. They are Ed Rommel, who
won twenty-five games for sew
birthplace club last season; Byron
Harris, tall Highlander from
Texas. and Bob Hasty.
Rommel is a discard from the
Giants. McGraw gave him a trial
about six years ago. He went back
to the minors and climbed back via
Baltimore. He is one pitcher who
can always make trouble for the
Yankees.
Harris and Hasty always had
plenty of stuff" but lacked con.
troll. Mack has had many of
that sort in the last eight years.
Only infinite managerial patience
saved Harris and Hasty. Last sea.
son they were good in spots. This
spring they seem to have the
necessary ballast" to carry them
through.
Rollie Naylor is a fourth wet
who seems to have been infected
Win the winning virus InlS spring
Naylor has been with Mack longer
than any of the other pitchers blu,
has been rated as an lin and
outer"
Last season Lefty" Heimacl
came to the front rapidly for Mack
He was snatched from the semi
pro ranks and all he needed ap
parently was experience.
These five pitchers should carr
the Athletics into the first division
this season. The staff is chinket
out by several youngsters who ma!
develop rapidly.
Mack is fortunate in having tn
services of splendid catcher
Ralph Perkins is in his early TWEEN
ties, yet he is regarded by man!
persons as the best maskman il
the American League. Certainly h
Is a better hitter than Ray Schalk
who is the only other catcher Of
the circuit who compares with hin
In all-around ability. Perkins is al
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