The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-08
THE BALL-PLAYING WORLD
Comparison of the Infield Players of
the League and Association.
The Two New Players that Have Been Secured
by the Pittsburg Club-Gossip and
News of the Week.

There is great deal of very interesting discus
ZION of base ball matters Just the oom-
parative strength of League and Association
players, shown by the results of last seasons
work. The que stion is that calls forth the
best Judgment of men who have studied ball
playing until they capable Of making very
ane Determinations but the estimate of any
Dne, no matter how unprejudiced. viii not
be entirely satisfactory, because it il well near
impossible for enthusiasts to take judicial
view Of the work OF players Even the men
who know most about ball-playing carnot agree
on selections Of the best players in any one posi-
zion. This is not due entirely to individual
prejudice. but to indiscretion in attempting TO
designate one player as the superior of several
who are almost equally good. Il requires dis
elimination OF finer kind than the average
baseball enthusiast can understand to
determine superiority between Arson, Conner,
and Brouthers frat basemen, and it in not
only presum ptuous in the person who attempts
20 do such O thing. but it il unjus to the play
srs or the co mpa risons that have been made
lhis year of inheli players the one by the Phiia-
aslphia Press, which is given below, seems TO
be nearest correct. Where distinction should
De made In favor of player as against the man
whose name 10 placed opposite him in the list an
leterisk is used.
FIRST BAsEMEN.
League. ASSOCIATIONS.
Anson Comiskey.
sBrouthsrs. Orr.
sMorrill Tucker.
Farrar. Larxins.
Shomberg. -Kerins.
OBrien. Phillips
Barley. Faatz.
SECOND BAsEMEN.
Dunlap. McPhse.
"Pfefer. Bierbauer.
Richardson. Stricken.
@Bastan. Greenwood
B.s.stt Mack.
Smith Mcclellan.
Meyers. Gerhardt.
THIRD BAsEMEN.
Denny. Latham.
Nssh lyons:
sMulvey. McGlone.
Burns. Pnckney.
Donnerly. Hankinson.
Hss6sia -shipdie.
sHoRr-sroPs.
sG1asscock. Smith.
&Ward. McGarr.
Williamson. White.
Rowe. Fennelly.
Wise. Mexican.
sIrwin. Davis.
Kuehne. Gleason.
Farrell. Bradford.
In making the above comparison, batting,
fielding, base-running and experience taken
as the criterion There 10 but enc player in the
profession, the Press thinks, whom almost every
patron of the game will unQuestionably select
superior In the position he plays. and that 10
Jerry Denny.
The biggest baseball deal consummated dur
Ing the last week was the signing by Pittsburg
of Fred Dunlap the second baseman of the De-
troit club, and Maui of the Philadelphia team.
It is announced that Dunlap will receive $1,000
salary but his contract calls for only 1000.
He will be captain of the club. Dunlap is q
great player in this position, but he has caused
much trouble in the Detroit club and
President Stearns seems to have
been rather anxious to get rid of
him. The amount paid for his release is not
known. Maui is the Southern League player
that Philadelphia picked up about the middle of
last season. He played only a few games, and
led the league in batting. He can be used in
the pitchers box. first base or in the field and
promises to develop into one OF the best all
round players in the country. The two men
will materially strengthen the Smoky City
team.
There will certainly be no reason for Indi-
annapolis being weak at first base next season.
With 5ogert, the new player signed by Manager
Spence. last Thursday, the club now has four
men who can play the position in
good style the other three being Hines, Ester
brook and Shomberg Little is Known about
Bogert, except that he is q large fellow, who has
distin euished himself anna teur player.
Manager Spence's judgment is believed to be
worth something.