The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-03-18
CLAN IS I D
!. REPEAT
WALSH
National League Champions
of Last Year Don't Look
Any Worse to Him
By DAVIS ]. WALSH,
International News Service Sports
Editor,

BY DAVIS ]. WALSH,
International News Service Sports
Editor.
SARASOTA, Fla, March 49,
The writer today viewed what he
Ia pleased to believe are the next
champions of the National League.
The New York Giants are the out
fit in question. If the Giants were
good enough to win. last season
with what they had, they are. or
should be good enough to repeat
with what they now have.
That remark is made In full
cognizance of the fact that an
other victory for McGraw will
give him five pennants in a row,
which is not being done with great
ease and frequency. Yet, the bet
goes as it lies. The Giants prob
ably are as much as thirty points
stronger than they were at this
or any time last year.
As a matter of fact it is a club
that is only coming to the real
flush OF its ability. Frisch, Kelly,
Jackson, Young, Wilson, Bentley
and Virgil Barnes have anywhere
from five to ten years Of usefulness
before them. Groh is aging, but
Fred Lindstrom is waiting to step
in without further notice. Bill
Terry could play first base regular
" for almost any other club in the
league Howard Baldwin, Wayland
Dean, Walter Huntzinger and Ernie
Maun, adolescent pitchers. are a
much improved lot for their single
year on the big time, according to
McGraw.
But the glad tidings go even fur
ther. McGraw had to play Kelly an
center field on many occasions last
year because his outfield turned
bit sour in mid-season. The first
casual stranger you stop on the
street here probably would turn out
to be a first class outfielder. They
simply abound, as 1t were.
In addition to Young, South
worth. Wilson and MeuseI.- the
Giants have picked mp two live
ones In Frank Walker, who. as
manager and club owner, sold
himself TO the Giants from the
Virginia League, and Pip"
KOehler. late Of Penn State. but
generally early for flybaIls. He
b an extremely natty performer.
These gentlemen are so gifted
that it is altogether likely Kelly
mo longer win adorn the outfield,
IN which case he will play first
base as only Kelly can do it. 'Fhe
Giants admittedly are a stron ger
al,yA III s,.R Al
McGraw, however, declines to
give any intimation of what his
plans in this direction may be. IN
fact he Is disposed to be conserva-
tive, pointing out that the moment
He has two enthusiasts, to wit:
Koehler and John Scott, the almost
annual redemptionist.
Koehler made five sensational
catches in row in a game the
other day." McGraw said. "He
starts with the crack of the lat,
plays the hitter well, and seems
TO know what he is about. I like
the way he stands up to the plate.
Scott is ready to pick up where he
left off after beating the Yankees
In the 1922 series. I think he re-
AlfZes now that baseball is a bust
ness. not an outing"
Koehler's chance may be delayed
year while he picks up big time
ways in some small league. If
Meusel comes back, and many think
he will, he is to be the clubs left
fielder, with Wilson breaking in
now and then. Southworth and
Walker, or Southworth and Wilson,
will collabofate in centerfield, de-
rpepding upon whether the opposing
pitcher 1favors the left or right
hand. Young, Of course, will obIige
IN right field.
Some Of the critics are highly
enamOred of Walker and in adj
ditiOn to his natural attachments,
.allege he is q gentleman Of much
mental ability. My only cOntFibu-.
ton Is that saw him make q
highly sensational running catch
Of q foul ball after which the Bos-
ton Brave on third base scored.
n run that gave his club the lead.
ssHowever, Walker may be all that
1f1ey say of him and more, and 10
may Hal Crump, of Southwestern
University. "a third baseman. Also
John Wisner, the pitcher from
etaiIings is prone to go into esta-
cies either by or without request.
= These are a few of the men that
prevent the Giants from being what
they ought to be, stand-pat ball
club. Nehf, Ryan, Bentley, Scott,
Barnes and McQuillan are az good
as ever they will be, although it
ta,the prevailing opinion that Nc.
1Suillan is due for a big year. He
IS considerably heavier and the ex-
ira weight will come in handy after
August Is. He always was a fine
spring pitcher.
The catchers will be Gowdy, Sny.
der and Grover Hartley, the ancient
which means nothing new or sepsa,
tfonal there. =
What club does McGraw fear
most? Correct, Simeon. go TO the
head of the class. The Pittsbur n
Pirates is the answer. The season
wouldn't be official II McGraW
didn't pick the Pirates as the con
finders.
maRAam@ A=AMmaA A.