The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-17
Rise to Fame Of St.
Louis Americans Star
Ontfieldsr.

carried the news back 10 Omaha. After
two years in the old Western League lie
advanced to the American Association, but
1t was a more difficult job for him to
break into the big league.
Jimmy Collins, when manager of the
Boston Americans. was the first big
aguer TO seriously consider Stone as 4
him, looked HIM over in the spring. de-
eided he wouldn't do, and turned him back
to, the minors without ever giving him a
trial. Collins, however. had Il string on
him, and had Stone report in the spring
Of 1906 for another trial. He was a much
improved ball player, but failed 10 impress
McAleer came upon the scene and pulled
off a trade that will go Town in the annals
of baseball as the largest gold brick ever
Collins always looked with favor on
Jesse Burkett, and McAleer figured that
a deal with Bnrkett included would appeal
to the B~ostonian. The st. Louis manager
realized that Bnrkett was about through
and wha he needed was a young player
with promise. Stone appeared to be Just
Inc q man FOR the j96; McAleer offered
Jumped at the offer, giving McAleer a big
bunch Of money to boot. In just one year
Burkett dropped out of the American
League, while Stone today is regarded as
him.
stone Mikes Good mt once.
When Stone Joined the ST. Louis team
he demonstrated at once that he could do
one thing-hit the ball. He wasn't much
on the fielding gnme and had a rather weak
arm. Stones arm isn't any better today
than when he Joined the team, but he has
made remarkable strides In the field.
Today there are few better outfieldegs
than George Stone. He makes up for his
rather weak arm by the QUICK manner IN
which he gets the ball away. When ono
thinks 1t over there are not many fielders
with stronger arms than Stone, and the
runners thrown out at the plate appear
TO be getting fewer every year. Outiield-
ers wiz arms like Birmingham, H~incilman,
Charley Jones and a few others are no.
picked up every day.
Stone goes out and comes in after a ball
in the most approved style, and caa use
his gloved hand as neatly as any of them.
He is also quite fast, and, of course, that
makes him all the more brilliant. That
Stone had the ability there is no question.
but IL required the coaching Of McAleer
mat stamps him as a finished artist.
Has Great Modesty.
Less has been written about stone than
any other great ball player who has been
before the public. The main reason for
this is due to his retiring disposition.
Other players with his ability and promi-
nence would be breaking into print every
day. Notoriety appeals but little to Stone.
He Is content to do his work, get the fat
salary and let others have the prominence.
II is not stretching the point In the least
to say that George Stone is one of the most
unique characters in baseball.
During his career in the American
League Stone has never had the slight
est quarrel or argument with any member
of the profession. Stone figures that It
always takes two to create an argument
and he steadfastly refuses to become a
party. That he is one of the easiest play
ers in the business TO handle no one ques-
tons.
Never during his career as a ball player
has Stone been put out of a game, and no
members of the present American League
staff of umpires can recall q single time
that Stone has questioned a decision. He
is called out at first base on close deci-
sions oftener than any other one player
in the league. due to the fact that he al
ways slides feet first into the bag, making
all the plays appear closer, yet he always
accepts the decision as a matter Of course.
Only once has he appeared on the coach
ing lines since becoming . Brownie. Stone
always obeys orders to the letter. In tho
final game of the fall series between the
Browns and the Cardinals iii 1907, as a
joke, McAIeer ordered Stone to coach, and
he took his position at third. When the
other members of the team saw Stone OIL
the lines, they all but keeled over. Stone
was recalled in IA few moments, as he
failed to make any noise.
Stone failed to come 10 terms with the
ST. Louis management last season until
after the spring training trip was over
and when he joined the Browns he was in
liz FOIulllDI 10 uQ nliliEEAi tucNitts Out-
ing the first eight weeks of the season his
batting was lamentably weak. falling be-
low the 200 mark. 1t was freely predicted
that he was another phenom exploded and
that the pitchers nae discovered his weak
ness. Just as soon as Stone struck his
gait he put his critics to rout. He proved
that his eye was Just as good as ever by
batting something like .375 for the last
four months and finished well over 800
for the season.
Is Hard 10 Fool.
II Stone has amy glaring weakness al tile
bat. the American League pitchers have
not az yet discovered il. Every now and
then some pitcher figures that ne has
Stone doped out right. just as Mr.. Twir-
Ter really begins to think this way, Stone
dispels the illusion by getting four or FIVE
hits off his delivery.
One day back in 1906 st. Louis was play
ing a series of gameJ at New York. In the
first game Walter Clarkson had opposed
the Browns and made Stone look rather
bad. Clarkson had a great curve bal! that
day and he kept it low and on the outside.
Stone was easy picking, failing TO get the
ball out Of the inheld. Foxy Grlff felt eeg-
tain that he had made an important dis
covery; Stone couldn't hit a low curve ball
on the outside corner. He confided this
knowledge to his pitchers.