- Writer, J.B. Sheridan, Mostly Blames Doak
August 29, 1915 Age 24
By J.B. Sheridan St Louis Globe Democrat Sun
The great Collapse has been that of Doak. The man who led the National League pitchers in 1914 has not won half his games in 1915. Not only that, he seems to have lost two-thirds of his pitching ability. Instead of the shooting, slanthering spitball, impossible to hit, that he used in 1914. Doak has been trying to limp along by clinking them up, popping a slow ball here, a miserable little curve there, a semi-fast ball in the other place. In fact, Doak is not pitching at all. A young man of exemplary habits, he seems to be indifferent to his work. His actions on the field Indicate that Doak is interested only in his salary.
Doak’s Falling Off Hurts.
Doak’s falling off has hurt very much. It is beside the case to say that the umpires give him the worst of it. By listening to the thud of the ball in Snyder’s glove, a blind man can tell that Doak is not by two-thirds the Doak of 1914.
Of course there is Meadows. who looks as good as Alexander did in his first season. Meadows has brilliant speed and control. We will pass Dolan and Long with the remark “doing their best. Betzel is a minor leaguer. growing up fast, going to be quite a player. Mrs. Britton is fortunate to have picked up this youth. Butler has been doing better than expected. Huggins has been out of the game. Miller, a first-class, standard ballplayer. does very well at all times. Hyatt has played up to his ability. Snyder is the best catcher in the National League, close to being the best catcher in the game.
The spirit of the team is like that of all other teams of the day, more of a pay-day spirit than anything else. Long-term contracts, Federal League, etc.. has bred general indifference in baseball. As a spectator said the other day. “The Cardinals seem to be merely passing the tedious times between pay day and pay day.”
In this the Cardinal Club is not worse in fact, not so bad, as many others. But indifference is written all over its motions.
Withal, had Doak pitched good ball the club would have won many more games. It always plays good ball behind Sallee or behind any other pitcher that works well. Doak’s work has been very weak. A club was lucky to get five hits a game off him in 1914. About twelve hits a game is his recent record.
National League pennant race in 1915. The Cardinals and the Reds are barely hanging on.
