The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-11-07
Baseball
GOOD IN ANY POSITION.
Players Famous for AI.Around Abil.
ity on the Diamond.


Players Famous for AN.Around Abil.
ity on the Diamond.
Among the few hundred ball players
that by virtue OF their ability to play
a strong article of ball are drawing
salaries in the big leagues there are
fame by their ability to make good in
assigned. In other words, there are
in the two major circuits, the Amer
while the National has three. The
Stovall. of the Clevelands, Frank Isbell
of the Yankees of the American league.
Hans Wagner of the Pittsburg. Roger
'Bresnahan of the Giants. and Ahtie
Holman Of the Cubs of the National
league.
OF the above Lajoie and Wagner have
always been conceded to be the great
est all-around players in the country.
but when it comes to sterling ability,
to play other positions, Stovall. lsbell
and Bresnahan have q right to be
ranked with the famous pair. In their
natural positions and at bat. Lajoie and
Wagner. however. outclass the other
utility players, and for the reason they
must be given first rank.
Larry broke into the game as a
catcher, but was soon shifted to the
outfield. On joining the Philies ten
years ago he starred at first base.
Later he went to second and has since
been regarded as the greatest second
baseman the game ever knew. playing
difficult chances with such grace as to
make them look easy for a child to
make. Since joining Cleveland, Larry
has played 4 star game at first and
short. in addition to filling in credit
ably at third.
Hans Wagner has, since drawing his
pay as a Pirate. starred at short. first
base and in the outfeld. That he can
do equally as we'll at second or third
is not doubted. He can also catch in
pinch, and if asked to twirl would
not refuse.
Roger Bresnahan and Frank Isbell
are the only two, however, outside of
Charles Hickman. who are big league
players that have played in every po-
sition on the diamond. Bresnahan was
pitcher in the old Tri-state league,
prior to going to Washington good
many years ago. Later he was re-
leased to Baltimore. and while an
Oriole was forced to go behind the bat,
all the regular batters being crippled.
Since that time he has played all the
outfields as we'll, and what's more,
played them SO we'll that the fans were
glad the regular occupants of the
positions were crippled. Even yet, he
can pitch almost as good as ever.
Isbell was pitcher for the old Chi
cago Nationals before the American
league had been born. Comiskey also
had him on his twirling staff at st.
Paul. but upon invading Chicago
placed him on first base During the
last season he played second base
with an occasional fling at the out
field. while a year ago he was called
upon to cover short and third and the
outfield gardens. That he could also
catch was demonstrated on one Of the
White Sox' visits to Philadelphia. this
year. "1zzy" going behind the bat and
catching strong game.
Charley Hickman has also played ev-
cry position on the map. but he was
never star in any one position, being
at his worst on first base, where he
was tried for the longest period.
George Stovall, one Of the most pop
ular and valuable players that ever
wore Cleveland suit. is a man that
has played every position except that
behind the bat and played it we'll at
that. Since being a Clevelander he
has played all the bases and the va
rious sections of the outfield and Man
ager Larry had no cause to think that
the position in question was not being
we'll cared for. Prior to being a first
baseman. Stovall was considered fair
pitcher.
Now we get down to the last two.
Conroy and Holman. Conroy, while
primarily star shortstop, has also
shown his ability to play third, also
the outfield. Hoffman, signed and used
by Chicago as utility infilder, re-
ally played the best game of any of
the Cub outfielders during the recent
series with the White Sox.
Should his pitching arm ever give
out, mishap that local fans hope will
be delayed for many year, AdIie
Joss would be able to take rank with
! the seven named. Since Addie has
been Nap he has shown that he is
as good on first base or in the outfield
as ne is in the box, while on the cubs
training trips he has also demonstrated
that he is far from being bad third
! or second baseman.
ENOUGH FOR THREE LEAGUES.