San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-04
By "MUDDY" RUEL

Copyright. 1898. by Universal Service.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3.-Ycs,
think We will win the series from til
Pirates-and that's an opinion in con
tradiction to the general one amoni
baseball experts. They have it all fig
ured that Pittsburgh will triumph
and cxpound this seeming logic:
Washington beat the Giants il
1924 by a proverbial eyelash-nnG
had to have all the luck in the fina
game to turn the trick. The Pirate
this year practically annihilated ii,
same team that Washington whipped
by luck in 1924"
I'll grant that we did have some
luck in the final game. But wha!
about that third game-the fourth
the fifth-the sixth-and another
slant Of that seventh?
PECK'S LOSS HURT.
Have the boys forgotten that Roger
Peckinpnugh, who has just been voted
the most popular in the American
League. was injured in the third game
and had to retire: that he was out OF
the fourth. the fifsh. went into the
sixth. had TO go to the bench again
and wasn't in the seventh at all? The
absence of Peck took from us at least
% per cent of our strength.
Peck was the best hitter we had in
that series. When he was forced to
the bench we lost the big gun of our
attack. Peck is one of the greatest
shortstops of all time. He was,
through the year, the vital cog in our
infield machine. When he was hurt,
the infield combination was shattered /:
we had to play Bluege at short and
lad to play a minor league infieldor
at third. Peck hit All in the games
he played: Miller. the substitute. hit
.1G7. Peck fielded 1000; Miller field
cd 1913.
SPEAKING OF LUCK.
Wasn't that luck for the Giants?
Didn't that more than offset what
ever luck we might have had in the
final game? And didn't the absence
Of Pcckinpaugh so weaken us that in
stead of the series going to seven
games, we might have won in six?
I'm citing the Peckinpaugh thing
not because it has any direct bea ring
upon this series but merely to offset
any awry impression that experts may
create 10 the effect that we haven't
much chance agains: the Pirates be-
cause they humiliated a club in 1925
which we are supposed merely TO have
outlucked in 1924.
This year we present to the Ma
tional League rivals 4 team that !
think is stronger than the one which
won from the Giants last year. The
;oF ta1, sr hn
strength has been enhanced by the
addition Of the slugging Bobby veach,
we have gained greatly behind the
bat through acquisition of Hand
SEVERED, wonderful receiver and a
splendid hitter.
But, beyond even that, we have
possessed ourselves of two new
pitchcrs-Coveleskie and Reuther--
whose brilliant work cinched the pen
nant for us this year. Stanley's per
Torrance all year has been remark
able--and so has that Of Reuther.
ALL SERIES VETS.
Last year We were unable TO fling
into the fight a single pitcher who
had been tested by world series fire.
This year our pitchers are all world
series veterans. johnson, Marberry
and Zachary were with our winning
squad year ago; Covclcskie and
Iteuther were participants of world
series Of other years. Stanley starred
for the worlds champions Clevclands
in 1920 and Dutch" was with the
champion Reds Of 1910.
Few Piratos-except Catcher Smith
Pitcher Adams and Crippled Rawlings
ever worked in world series
Every regular on our squad. with the
exception Of SEVERED; has been in a
series. And that gives to US a won
derful psychological advantage, for
we've lived through our case oil
nerves. and now have confidence
whereas the Pirates have their stage
fright to face.
RESERVES WILL COUNT.
And beyond all that, we are goin,
into this series with a secondary de
fense-somcthing we didn't have las
year. If anything happens to Peck
or TO Blucge, or to Harris, we'll have
Scott 10 jam into the lineup. If any
thing happens to an outfieldcr W,
will have Veach TO fill tbe gap AM
with Severeid and myself In the ros
ter, we'll have two catchcrs who cal
go in and do their stuff.
Last year our main dependence or
the mound was Walter johnson. Thi
year we have five great pitchers
johnson. COyelcskie. Marberry. Reutll
or and Zachary. Marbcrry and Zach
airy ycrc unknown world series guam
titles last year. They proved them
selves great in the moments Of dir
emergency and now we know that !
anything should happen 10 johnson
Coyeleskie, or Reuther, we would still
have two ar pitchers 10 depcn'
upon.
In my opinion. we enter this 1872
series Mt least 81 per cent stronge
In every way than we were for th
1924 duel.