Omaha daily bee., 1906-11-16
STONE AND rmE REAL WISE BOYS
Greatest Halter ON Earth Nightmare
% snrne Pnnr Lndrea.

II Larry LajoiC. once the greatest of
batters, but NOT row, mas any tschng OF
ID may be mingled with spirit OF chagrih
over poor judgment which the CleVeiand
slip from the Cleveland Plain Dealer Is in
teresting, inasmuch as the man rejected
by Cleveland and other sage managements
closed the season with an average battlng
of 316. the best IN the world
Talking about Stone, Editor Joe tlanner
of the sporting News IS authority for the
statement that Cleveland had its agents
look him over a few weeks ago but the
reports received were such that he was
was secured it was declared that he was
by far the better man OF the two. Fianner
says:
Inns and the Boston American league club
turned him down twice. McAleer secured
George for 1905 in exchange for Burkctt.
standpoint. that was ever made. Exports
who had looked Stone over declared that
he had too many defects 20 hold Il major
big factor in his high hatting average IN
the American association and IN the Wet.
crn league. Watkins, the indianapolis sage
the business-predicted that his percentage
would shrink in the American league. for
the reason that the infeders would handle
many Of his drives that went safe III the
minor leagues.
The veteran manager was not ensmored
Of the fielding or throwing Of McAletr'S
recruit Another American association
manager advised the Cleveland club not 10
bid for Stone Stones all right where he
is but he'll have his troubles In the Amer
lean league; let Boston paY Csnullou' s
price for him, were the words Of warning
4 National league scout reported TO ms
employer: Stone can sting the nall, can
bunt and is fast to first, but his arm Is
weak: a ball bdtted over hts head sends
him ballooninE and he needs "a guardian
TO get him around the bases after ne gets
or first. Buy him IL YOU want TO. but not
on my rccommendaton.'
McAleer made inquiries about Stone and
started. out to land him. lie did Business
with Collins. President Taylor opposed tho
deal for Burkett at all stages, but de-
Clarel that II Collins approved II he would
reluctantly defer to his managers judg-
ment After protracted negotiations Col
Inns came 10 terms with Burkett and Stone
was transferred to st. Louis.
George batted Dos in 1905 and, rs Watkins
predicted, was none too sure on flies that
scared over his head He came in fast
and made many sensational catches. stopped
I grounders cleanly, but was not strong on
! a moment weakened on his man. When he
/ started home in the fan of 1905 he said
stone will outhit Larry next season. He
I expressed that opinion in Cleveland this
spring while discussing the prospects of the
/ Brown with Magnate Somers. "a $50 suit
of clothes that he don't" said the Cleve'
/ land club owner. You're on" was the
reply.
/ stones fielding is much improved. He
: covers as much ground as any left fielder
goes back, forward or TO either side with
/ ease and accuracy and killed many a has,
hit on the local grounds In 1905. No out
fielder. who is willing TO learn, can PLAY
] long under McAleer without profiting from
the schooling Of that past master TN thai
F! department, and Stone proved an apt pupil