The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-02


cranks who have followed the workings
of the game for the past ten or twelve
years well remember the great De-
troit team, managed by w. II. Wat
kins, which won the league champion
ship so handily in 1887 and then cap
tured the worlds championship series
from the st. Louis Browns. The won
derful batting power of the Detroits
will probably never be excelled, at
least by teams of the present time,
especially when it is considered that
the pitchers box was ten feet or more
nearer the plate than it is now.
Ned Hanlon, who has so successfully
managed the BaltimOres, was the cap
tain and centernelder of the Detroits
and was alsC one of the fastest base
runners and best fielders in the coun-
try Big Dan Brouthers. at that time
the heaviest batsman in the league,
played first base. Second base was
guarded by Fred Dunlap, who was a
wor derrul fielder. Jack Rowe played
shortrtop. and Deacon" Jim White
covered third. Hardie Richardson was
the left fielder and big Sam Thomson
was in right garden. Charley Bennett
ald Camel were the catchers, while
Charles Getzein George Weidman and
Larry Twitchen
of this list Camel is the only one
who is actively engaged in the big
league. He is coaching for the Bos-
tons. Bennett, who lost his legs in a
railroad accident some time ago, is
living i'm Detroit. Brouthers is play
ing first base for the Springfields of the
Eastern league. Thompson is on the
Philadelphia clubs bench. Rowe is
manager of the Buffalo Eastern
league team, and, as has been said be-
fore, Hanlon is handling the Balti-
morCs. Being thoroughly conversant
with the play of the old Detroits and
the Baltimores. Hanlan's comparison
of the two teams, therefore, and his
comments on their different styles Of
play will be interesting. In answer to
a reporters recent inquiry regarding
the strength of the two teams, Han
Ion said:
WHAT HANLON SAID.
You remember that baseball as
played by the Detroit champions and
the BaltimOres is not the same article.
The game, like all things, has pro-
gressed, and it is today more scientific
than ten years ago. 1t requires more
thought and headwork. 1t is in some
respect like checkers and chess, and
must be played upon systematic plans.
Modern baseball as played by the Bal
timores, is based upon the idea to keap
opposing teams guessing. 1t is a case
of dealing out uncertainties at all
times. Against some teams the Balti-
mores adopt one style of play; against
others they shift. They study the weak
points accordingly. The game is more
aggressive, too. There is more kick
ing, more ginger, faster base running
bunting systematic team play at bat
which means the 'hit-and-run' system
and the players are younger
But by all this I do not mean tC
create the impression that Detroit was
a weaker team than Baltimore. Taker
as a whole, the Wolverines We're tn,
greatest batsmen collectively that evel
played together. They wers nearly al
left-handed hitters and sluggers, too
If Sam Thompson or Brouthers haC
been asked to bunt in those days. there
would have been a howl of indignation
from the crowd, for the cranks wanted
to see these men and the rest of us hi
It out. Bunting and sacrifice hitting
were very little in use then. In field
ing, the Detroits were well toward the
top, and they were also fair in bas,
running, although by no means in tht
race-hOrs' class. Nearly all of tn
members of the team We're veterans
as the young blood craze had not be
gun to take effect"
Can you compare the teams, MAJ
for MANI"
THAT is hard" replied Hanlon, "be
cause some persons may take offense
But I'll do the best l can and will snoy
no partiality. First, let us take thC
catchers. On the one hand are Bennett
and Camel, and on the other Robinson
and Clarke. In my honest opinion
Charlie Bennett, in his time, was tn,
greatest throwing backstop in tn
country, barring one, Buck Ewing
Bennett was a horse for work, anC
could handle all sorts of pitchers wit
ease. Comparing him with Robinson
will say that he could catch no bette
but that he was a superior thrower t
bases. He lacked the headwork, how
ever, that Robinson possesses, and wa
not so valuable as a coach for a youn
pitchers. Bennett was a good hitter
perhaps a shade better than Robbie
in that his drives We're longer and hard
er l consider Clarke and Camel abou
a stand-off,
1T is impossible to compare the pit
chers because of the difference in tn
location Of the box. But I will not hes
itate in saying that Lady Baldwin wa
the best left-handed pitcher of his da,
and one of the best that ever stood /
the box. He had wonderful command
speed and curves, and he knew how [