Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-07-13
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Baseball critics the world over are
Of the opinion that base running in
the big leagues is not what it was
ten years ago.
Harry Stovey purloined 1856 bases
in one season, and steals of 80 and 100
were not at all unusual for the men
Of those days. Strange to say, the
fastest runners were not the greatest
base stealers. Take Kelly, for in
stance, who was q big fellow and any
thing but fast runner; yet he led the
league in base stealing. Sandow Mer-
tes, Of the New York Nationals, is
another big man, who never was
speedy runner, still he led the Amer
lean league in pilfering the sacks
when he was in that organization. On
the same team with Mertes is George
Browne, one of the fastest runners in
base ball today. This player can
make more bases on short hit, prob
ably, than any player in the major
leagues. Yet he is poor one at
stealing bases.
If he could time his start so that
the pitcher would not dare throw the
ball to first base Browne would be the
champion base stealer in the American
league. But he usually waits until
the box artist has the ball well un-
der way. and thus loses the ten or
IL feet that he might have gained had
he been wise in judging the pitchers
motion.
And this is the great secret of base
stealing that so few of the modern day
base ball players possess; that OF cor
rectly timing their start. Any man
who can get this point down to nice
ty. and knows how to slide onto the
bag, is worth his weight in gold to
his team.
Gilbert of the New Yorks is great
base stealer and an expert in the
art of sliding, but he is a poor hitter
and does not get on the bases often
enough. If he did it would be SAFE
bet to make that he would lead both
leagues in the matter of stolen bases.
Clarke Griffith once said that the
best slider he ever saw was Bill
Lange, with the possible exception
of Dave Fultz," he added. LANCE was
a giant of man, yet in 1896 he stole
three times as many bases as any
player in either of the two leagues
steals these days.
Heidrick was great base stealel
and clever at sliding, though he had
the misfortune to get injured often
Bay is about the best slider IN the
game today, as he no sooner hits the
bag than he is on his feet again and
ready to proceed.
There are few head foremost Slid
ers. as Fogarty used to be, Monte
Cross being about the only one play
ing today who uses this dangerous
and generally unsuccessful means Of
reaching second base.
daring base steal was once pull
ed off by the only Mike Kelly whel
he was a member of the Chicago team
This happened in the last half Of tn
ninth inning, when the score stoo
to against Chicago. Kelly wa
on the first base and Ed. Williamso
was on second when Arson knocke
a fly ball out into right field. At tn
instant Arson batted the ball bot
Kelly and Williamson made das
for second and third. The ball wa
simply returned to the second bas
man, but Kelly slid in and beat 1t b
a hair. When Kelly arose from tn
ground and saw Billy Sunday at tn
bat he grabbed hold of his arm an
pretended to be writhing in agon
Then he called to Ed. Williamson
come and pull his arm. While E
was doing so Kelly whispered to hi
and after the game was On aga
Kelly dashed for third.
The ball was shot down to tn
base and then Ed. made for HON
while the third baseman sent the ba
back to the catcher. Kelly by tn
time had rounded third and was rigl
behind Williamson, for whom Il
catcher was waiting, with outstretc