The Washington times., 1925-03-25

basement twenty-five games behind
During three weeks Of intensive+
| training here under the leadership
Of Manager Eddie Collins, q fighting
spirit such as characterized the pale
hose OF 1917 again pervade1 the
camp. It is generated by Collins and
his dynamic direction of the squad
whether in games against minor
leaguers or among the split sections
OF the Sox themselves has been aQ
outstanding feature of the daily
proceedings. Collins, beloved by
every member of his team, Is
natural leader. He has the whole
hearted cooperation of his men.
They believe in the new manager
and believe in themselves. As one
veteran declared, IF we can't win
for Eddie this year we should be
shipped to Oshkosh"
Judging from the manner i'm
which Collins is proceeding with
his material, bell time at Detroit
On April Ia win see virtually the
same lineup that campaigned so
indifferentIy in 1924.
But it will be a fighting crew.
Numerous recruits, many plucked
from independent ranks, were given
the acid test when the condition
ing routine was launched and Eddie
was quick to WELD the pruning
knife. The chief concern Of the
new tactician is the choice of a
competent shortstop and the de-
paw pitcher. Otherwise his wor-
ties are Of a minor nature.
Three sterling performers have
been fighting for the short field
assignment and each Is fully quail
fled to play the position. Hervey
Mcclellan, perhaps is the flashiest
| fielder of the trio which includes
Ink Davis, obtained in mid-season
Of 1924 from Columbus and Johnny
Butter. last year with Wichita. The
problem with Collins is to select
the strongest hitter of this group
and he is not prepared at this
time to express his opinion on the
subject.
All the candidates are right hand.
ed batsmen and they have been
singing the ball Justify in the
practice engagements. Thirteen
pitchers now grace the Sox' roster
and five of these are slated to
pastime elsewhere when Collins
has completed his housekeeping.
Faber. Blankenship, Robertson,
ConnaIly, Lyons. Leverett. Gwen
gros, Mangum and Thurston are
giraffe, Ash, Davenport and Fore
man practically new corners, though
Steengraffe and Davenport have
been on and off the roster in other
seasons. 1t now appears as though
Fa Der, Blankenship, Robertson,
Lyons, Connally, Thurston. Gwen.
gros and Mangum are fixtures, al.
though Collins is broadcasting no
information regarding his plans in
the curving department. He IS
manifesting tremendous interest in
the work Of his southpaws and in
Cvengros. Davenport and Foreman
he is equipped with a trio of classy
workmen.
Davenport, however, appears to
be labOring under a big handicap
as the result of having broken
his right ankle while with Min
neapOlis last season. Kenneth
Ash. a young right handler with
Rocky Mount I'm 1924 has i'm
pressed Collins, and may crowd
one of the veterans off the staff.
He is q fast ball artist Of prom.
Use and also has been exhibiting a
curve OF high degree together
with excellent control.
Shelly at first, Collins at second
and Kamm at third, are all fixtures
of course on the infield while the
outfield now lines up with the same
| fly chasers who were carried last
year, namely, Falk, Hooper, Mostil,
Archdeacon Barrett and Fish. In
addition the Sox have acquired a
promising recruit in Spencer Harris
last season with Bay City. This
lad, a southpaW swatter, has been
given considerable leeway in right
field. Like bud" Clancy, who un-
derstudies Sheely at first base, Har.
ris is expected to pastime regular
| ly at some future date under the
Comiskey standard. AS not more
than six outfielders, and possibly
only five, will be retained, Collins
also is confronted by a problem in
| the selection of the most capable
gardeners and they are all good.
In addition to the veteran Fay
Schalk, who appears fit for a ban
ner season, and Grouse and Ora
bowski who were employed last sea
son, the catching staff numbers
George Bischoff, obtained from Fort
Worth. All three second stringers
to Schalk are of high caliber but
one of this group must be elimi. |
mated.