The Washington times., 1925-09-24

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Judged as a whole, however, this
writer Is inclined to give Washing
ton a. bit of an edge. And if Wash
ington wins the series, it is the
opinion of this writer that the
margin Of victory will be spelled in
terms OF infield play, and the i'm
preferable defense which already
has carried Washington through
| two hectic baseball seasons.
At first base Judge has the call
over GranthaTn. He is more ex-
perienced, a better fielder and a
capable hitter. Grantham, playing
hts first season as a first baseman
after being shunted around the in
field through most of his big league
career, has done well, but he
hardly measures up to the Judge
standard. His one advantage is the
tact that Judge has a bad leg,
which may keep him out of the
series. In such event. Joe Harris
would go to first for the Senators.
Joe, however, certainly is a
stronger substitute that the one
time brilliant but now ageing
Stuffy McInnis.
Figured in terms of individual
play aIOne-that is, fielding bril-
lance, speed and hitting capabili-
ties-MoOre has an edge on Bucky
Harris and Wright has an equal
advantage over the veteran Peck
inpaugh.
Play at second and short, how
ever, cannot be figured individually.
And when II comes to team work
and smoothness of combined effort,
there isn't a combination in either
league that can touch Harris and !
Peckinpaugh.
Double plays started by one and
pivoted by the other have been
the greatest single defensive factor
In bringing another pennant to
Washington. Both men are think
ing ball players-quick to size up
a situation, unerring in their judg
ment.
Individually, a step slower than
their more youthful and fiery OPP ,
ponents, they more than make up
in judgment what they lack in !
sheer speed. No shortstop in either |
league can size up a play more !
unerringly than Peck; no shortstop |
hitters.
At third base comes another !
closely matched pair. Bluege and |
Traynor are both great players. |
This writer, however, is inclined to |
favor Bluege, despite his inability |
to hit on a plane equal with his !
bulkier opponent. To my mind, |
BIuege is the most improved and |
the best third baseman in either |
league today. Traynor ranks sec
ond. That just about tells the |
story. There isn't any great eff |
ference between the two, but what |
edge there is belongs to Bluege.
DefensiVely, the Washington in
field seems to have the edge-and
infield defense is one Of the really
big features i'm any world series.
to sun up man for nan, the two
1nfields seem equally matched. In
diVidually, Washington has the
edge at first and third, with Pitts
burgh ruling at second and short.
But paradoxical as it may seem,
Washington's apparent individual
weakness is in reality its greatest
combined strength. Peckinpaugh
and Stanley Harris, working to-
gether. more than overcome their
individ Ial shortc omings. They are
the brains and the motor power Of
the Washington cl:;b-towers of
superb strength on defense and, he
yond all shadow of doubt, the
greatest doubleplay combination in
baseball today.
Only the series alone will dis
close the unexpected Perhaps
Wright and Moore will rise to new
heights; perhaps they will shove the
veterans into the discard by the
sheer brilliance of their play.
as the two best that have met In
world series In more than a. decade.
But on paper the two infields rate