Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 89, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1913 — REDS NOW HAVE SHOW [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

REDS NOW HAVE SHOW

For First Time/ Cincinnati Club Picked as Winner* '•%• !“*"• Jo* Tinker Will Strengthen Infield Where It Wai Weakest—Good , Haul Made When Beals Becker Was Becured From New York. Cincinnati, lor the first time In years, is picked to be an acute contender for the National league baseball championship. Its selection is dhe to Its having a. new and versatile manager in Joe Tinker, formerly of the Cubs. Cincinnati is said to bate had a missing link in its line-up ever since Tommy Corcoran left the team in 1906. Corcoran played short and the ex-Cub is now expected to supply the missing link that has kept the Reds from winning a pennant. It is generally conceded that with Tinker at short the Reds will be at least 60 per cent, better than last year, when they put up a remarkable fight. Baseball, men in President Lynch’s organization say the club would have finished better, and possibly would have won a flag, if Garry Herrmann had had an infielder of Tinker’s caliber. They expect she former Cub to place the club in the thick of the battle with Chicago, New York and Pittsburg. Their contention is that he has men who can hit the ball \\ith any other set in the organization, who can field as well, and who have the speed. If he can obtain better than fair pitching, it is thought he will give the first division teams a lot of worry. Tinker’s infield, taken at a glance, is not the worst in the league. It was only mediocre last season, and in spite of that did remarkably welL Tinker’s presence will make it one of ’the fastest in the league. No club in the organization, except Brooklyn, can boast of a better first baseman than Hoblitzell. His true ability has not been brought out yet, but it will be with Tinker at the helm. Egan is a sterling second baseman, but was handicapped by not having an experienced shortstop to help him. Assisting Tinker at Second, Egan is expected to be a wonder. > - The right side of Tinker’s infield and half of the left can be compared with any of the other seven teams. Third base is a perpelxing problem for the new manager. He has a competent man in Eddie Grant, but the latter has lost much of his aggressiveness and hitting strength. It is thought, however, with Tinker at short Grant will play as he did with the Phillies. Should he-do so, Tinker will have a good infield. He has fair utility men in Esmond and McDonald. Tinker’s duties are light when it comes to choosing men to play the outfield positions, although he did lose a good man in Mitchell. Some say the Reds will profit by the Mitchell trade. He had been with the Reds so long that he lost his enthusiasm. Marsans, the Cuban player, is an excellent man

to take his place. He is assured of playing regularly in right field, as he is a natural .300 batter, fast and showing development In his headwork. Bescher will be in left field and today ranks as the leader of the league, That takes into consideration his fielding, batting, throwing and base running. He fell below the .300 mark last summer, which should not have Happened, experts say. It is expected, though, that he will climb above this figure this season under Tinker’s system of playing. Bescher also ought to be better in base running and fielding with the spirit and ginger Tinker plans to inject into the cluj>. A fairly good haul was made when Beals Becker was secured from New York for the waiver, price. It is not likely he will play center field, as Tinker has a better man in Bates. Becker is fleet, but is only a fair hitter and fielder. Bates possesses all these requisites and like Bescher is assured of a regular berth. He injured his leg last season and played in only eighty-nine games for an average of .289. Cincinnati’s outfield Is to be ranked with the best, critics say.

Beals Becker.