Evening star., 1926-03-24

There is no outsta nding star in tina t
collection of pitching talent. but much
natura bility. 1t is a staff which
must be carefully employed by the
manager. maneuvered in such a way
that it always will present its maxi
mum defensive strength against the
various clubs. A managerial novice
could ruin such a staff. but | believe
Siser will prove equal to the occasion.
Connie Mack told me that Sisler is
the smartest of the young managers
now in base ball.
For "a while. Sisler considered shift
ing Marty McManus to third base
and employing Oscar Mellilo, an in
fielder and speed boy from Milwaukee.
at the keystone station. However, it
is believed that this move was talked
of merely to pep up Gene Robertson,
Brown third baseman of the last two
sea aSons. Anyway, in his recent prac-
tice games. Sisler has used the
familiar infield combination with Nc
Manus on second and Robertson at
third. Robertson, in my opinion. has
the ability to become one of base ball 8
greatest third base man.
Schang a Doubtful Quantity.
1t seems 20 me that Sisler is plac-
ing too much dependence in Wally
Schang, Higgins former star catcher
in New York. Schang is regarded as
the first string catcher at the Brownie
camp, this despite the fact that Wally
Is nearing his thirty-sixth birthday
and slipped most perceptibly with the
Yanks last season, at bat as we'll
as on the defense.
Schang is regarded s sort of com
bination mascot. catcher and omen of
good luck by his fellow members Of
the Browns. BY rather odd coinci
dence. the Athletics. Red Sox and
Yankees each won pennants in the
years In which Schang Joined these
respective clubs.
over at McGraws camp at Sara
sofa we find the Giants presenting
their usual strong lineup. | do not
believe that the Giants can down the
Pirates, but with that strong staff OF
right handed pitchers they are certain
of being contenders. The club looms
as a second or third place f1nisher
to me. 1t isn't safe to pick the Giants
any lower than second. McGraw hasn't
finished under that position since 1916.
The Giants attack fell off badly last
season. the team finishing seventh in
club hitting with a percentage of .2S3.
"a points lower than the world cham
plOn PlrateS, the CluD Wnlc1 stopped
New York in it's quest for it's fifth
straight pennant. New York's com
paratively poor batting average of
1925 can be traced to the batting
sumps Of two players, Young and
Snyder. Young fell off 90 points in
batting ard Snyder 60 points. Their
the numerous injuries encountered by
Giant regulars. Frisch. Jackson, Kelly
Young, Groh and Terry, also had a
tendency to cripple the Giants former
powerful attack.
Only Third Base I'm Doubt.
McGraw apparently is satisfied that
his regulars of his former champion
ship lineup again will find themselves
as little effort has been made I,
strengthen the team outside of the
pitching department. Albert Tyson
sturdy slugger with Louisville last
season, has replaced Billy Southworth
in center field. The only Giant posi-
ton in doubt is third ba Sc, where the
veteran Groh and the youngster
Lindstrom are rival candidates for the
position.
I have heard predictions this Spring
that the Giants will go this year as
the Yankees did last. The wish may be
father to the thought. / can see no
marked retrogression in the Giant
team except in the catching depart.
ment, where Frank Snyder and Grover
II, rtlo,- 80 CeffippA v-oll along in theiY