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Weeghman's Moves Pay Off
CHICAGO, IL. August 25, 1913 - Charles Weeghman brought three new players to the Whales after vowing changes would be made. And his decision has paid off.
At the start of August, the Whales were 4 and 1/2 games behind the Buffalo Blues. But after going 15-5 so far this month, they've caught up and are tied for 1st place.
However, the Whales can't celebrate yet. Loyd Brown, the 37-year-0ld catcher brought in from the Brooklyn club, has hit just .258 in his 16 games with the team after hitting .301 for his previous club. Maynard Kish, the right-fielder who came from Detroit, has only played in 6 games (but has gone 6 for 12).
The real contributor was Spencer Cool, who hit .321 in his 21 games with the club. But two days ago he was injured and will be out for about two weeks.
While losing Cool is certainly not a welcome loss, the injury to starting pitcher Bill Cumberbatch is likely a much bigger cause for concern. His last game was on the 16th of the month, and has been bothered by elbow tendinitis. Doctors say he will be out for another 2-3 weeks. The 29-year old is 10-12 with a 3.48 ERA. His replacement? 21-year-old greenhorn Barney Winstead. The 6th-round pick has started two games and allowed a whopping 21 hits and 11 earned runs in 16 innings.
Whales players know that failure is not an option. With Weeghman at the helm, no one will have a guaranteed spot on the roster next season.
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