The Washington times., 1907-07-09
RING AND DIAMOND
SPORTING GOSSIP
Thomas Dangerous for Cans.
How Niles Batting
Improved.
By THOMAS S. RICE.

The Kid Ketchell who nearly put out
Joe Thomas, in Marysville, Col, on
July 4. and would probably have been
given the decision had IL not been that
Thomas was granted shade because
he was considered somewhat of a
champion, IS a native OF Marysville.
where ne leads the glad. sweet life OF
an iceman.
He has fought in a number of prelimi-
naries in Los Angeles and IS considered
fairly good man. He has a fast, over
hand swing. something like that Young
Corbett used with such effect, but he
has the added advantage or being able
70 deliver this from short range. His
constant use of this haymaker. which
will be blocked much oftener than it
will land, has a tendency to tire his
arms in a long bout, and make him
slow up toward the end. 1t IS likely that
Thomas went 10 Marysville expecting
snap in picking up easy money, and
did not train properly for the fight.
hence the rude jolt he received.
Thomas Advantage.
The announcement that Joe Thomas
will fight Joe Cans has been expected
for some time, and II they do get to-
gether. Cans stands a good chance OF
coming to the end of his rope. Thomas
Is a middleweight, who claims he can
get 10 the welter limit and be strong,
but it is not thought he could reduce
that low at this time. He IS clever, a
hard hitter, will have the edge in weight.
is now in his prime. can take punish
ment. and while he has come 20 the
front very rapidly in the past two years.
has had ample ring experience to quail
ify him for such a high-class engage
ment. His setback at the hands OF
Ketcheu should be thrown out for rea-
sons already stated.
While Cans showed that he was still
very much alive last Labor Day. when
he fought Battling Nelson, and later,
when he slowed away Kid Herman in
short order. he cannot keep good for
ever. and when he does start backward
! his retrogression viii probably be very
rapid. How far he has deter!Orated
since last September Is hard TO say
but II is doubtful whether he IS as good
now as then.
| Thomas has developed with remark.
: able speed in all departments OF the
! fight game and promises 20 become one
| OF the classiest men In the country. u
I Cans goes against him. the negro should
4 find IN Thomas a foeman in every re
/ spect worthy Of his best efforts. and
| there will be many willing 70 take q
| chance and put down a bet on the white
man in this instance.
From Milwaukee comes a yarn tina
Joe Cantillon IS thinking OF bringing
Sandow Mertes TO Washington TO PLAY
the Outfeld. II may be so. bat wha
garden he will play is a mystery. Gan
| ley, Charley Jones. and Clymer consu
/ tute one Of the brainiest, fastest anS
hardest hitting outhelds In the country
Harry Niles. the ST. Louis secon,
! baseman, who has Jumped 20 the from
in such a remarkable manner this sea
son as a batter. attributes his suddeT
Improvement to a complete change II
his style. There is a curious similarity
4 between HIS batting career and that o
II Charley Jones, Of washington.
Niles says he found that by always
u swinging at the ball he was a peren
n NAL sucker. lucky TO get a battinl
n average at 200. He decided this season
10 follow a different policy, shortenet
n his bat substituted taps for swings an,
has been going at 300 rate ever since
n Jones, after the present season wa
n about three weeks old, saw the SAM
II great light, and used his bruins eXactl.
as lid Niles, with the result that H.
! also has ceased to be -22e disappOint
4 meht, and has evolved into one OF IN
leading stickcrs OF the American
, League.
n The experience Of these two mel
: should be taken to heart by other veal
hitters who are warming the benc
) or precariously holding their jobs be
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