Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-03
Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
BOSTON. September 2. 1905.
The army of young players announced as
purchased by major league clubs does not
mean that all will be even tried out by the
clubs for there is covering up going on at a
wholesale rate. The constant cry that old
players are jealous of the youngsters COM
ing into the game is not founded on facts.
The old player 3 so confident that he has
all the best OF the youngster that he loses
no sleep over the thought that he may lose
his position on the ball team. He. too, we'll
knows the big contract the youngster has
on hand to make good, as not one in twenty
will pass the inspector the first time out.
The youngster Is actually welcomed II ne
shows form and Is not Of the too fresh
order, for the youngster must come into the
ranks of the stars in a modest manner and
gradually work up to place where he can
first call his opponent. and later on his fell
low players just to show that he Is made
of the right stuff and not afraid of any
thing that walks the earth.
Only writer's without experience could ac
cuse the old players of a disposition to keep
the young player In the background. The
old warrior fully appreciates the promising
youngster, and will give him hint at
every fair opportunity. One instance Will
] was speaking to Bill Coughlin. the clever
third baseman, who made his first mark In
the New England League at Pautucket. /
remarked that Coughlin was now among
the best In the business. and was agreeably
surprised to hear the Detroit player say:
'Weu, l must thank Jimmie Collins. When
] first broke into the league Collins would
give me a hint now and then that follow
ed TO the letter. and soon found that his
advice was invaluable"
Here was q case OF one seasoned third
baseman helping youngster. and so 1t goes
in base ball. The old pitchers Will ever
show a youngster how to handle the ball
and teach them how to work a batsman.
k%
No one appreciates the worth Of fellow
player es much as the players themselves.
and, naturally, they want the best of the
youngsters with their own teams.
A clever manager tell to nicely
when player Is slowing up. The outtield
ers may deceive him for while, especially
when compared to a fast runner who will
cut long drives down to singles and often
save games. Speed Is absolutely necessary
in the center field. the slow heavy hitters
fitting In to the best advantage at right
field. Nearly all the phenomenal outfield-
ers of the past were in the center gardA,.
There was Dickey Johnson, Curt Welsh,
Jimmie Fogerty and Jimmy McAleer, the
finest the game ever produced, and all do
ground like greyhounds. taking the ball
with either hand and diving for low ones
like flying fish.
y large number OF the Young players COM
ing into the game are of German eSSsac-
ton. and yet the Germans seldom attei,3-
the games. Most OF these German players
come from the west. where Sunday games
are played, and perhaps the coming gen.
Grafton of Germans will attend the games
The Hebrew is the star base ball fan OF
the country and the most bitter partisan,
and yet few take up the game even as anna
tours, but when 1t comes to a tanning bee
the Hebrew stands out as conspicuous a
red ear of corn at husking bee.
The man who never played the game is
the one you will always hear advising the
club to get young players. Just as If good
youngsters were hanging around looking for
a job, when the fact is that three or four
topnotchers in league is a good average,
and even this number Will need seasoning
in fast company before being ready for the
critic.
Some players are as good at thirty-five as
they were at twenty-five. A base ball COM