Dear old Pop Anderson took particular pains to write about the Jefferson team in general. “I don’t want to scare you, my dear Hughie,” wrote Pop, “but you had better be prepared to outdo even yourself when you come out here to play this year’s Jefferson team. We didn’t have such a very easy time with them last year, though the effort it cost made the victory just that much sweeter. You asked me to write you fully of what I think and I will do so. “At first base they have, of course, Frank Church who is, as you know, still the captain-manager. I need not say much about him because you know he is one of the greatest first basemen ever known, and it was his ability as a manager you had to beat last year. I hope you have found some one nearly as good as Penny to play first. You will need him.” Hughie chuckled to himself as he thought of his own wonder at first base. [Illustration: “Frank Church was still Captain Manager.”] “At second,” wrote Pop further, “they have as you know La Joy who is one of the best batters around in the West. He also is as fine a fielder as ever, but, of course, you have Johnny Everson and you need not worry about that position. At third, Laird was on last year’s team, the best third sacker they ever had out here and better this year than ever. At short they have a youngster named Hollins. He is a wonder and a great batter. He is brilliant, heady and fast, and is a dangerous player both at bat and on the bases. He can play second even better. “They seem to have had a good deal of luck in picking up freshmen youngsters who can fill the holes in the team made by the graduations of last year. I think this Hollins is a great shortstop, and I hope you have found a good one in Joe’s place, as you will surely need him.” Again Hughie smiled to himself. He was no doubt thinking of Hagner, his big awkward-looking shortstop. Whenever Hughie wanted to feel real good he drew a mind picture of Hagner going after a hot grounder or a Texas Leaguer out his way. “They have a great right fielder out here named Twitchell, also a new man in the position. He is a fine batter and a good thrower. In center is Thomas Beach, just as good in the field chasing flies as he was a couple of years ago at third base. You will, I know, never forget the trouble this young Beach person has caused Lowell teams. In the past, reports of the first inning in so many games read ‘Beach got a double or triple to left.’