Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-01-25

lnasmuch as Hans Wagner. OF the
Pirates, and Tyrus Cobb. OF the Tigers
are the champion batsmen OF the Ma.
tional and American leagues for the
season OF 1907, little about the two
men is not out OF the way at this
time. The following is from the pen
OF an eastern baseball writer:
Some weeks ago the athletic dl.
rector OF great university gave ont
an interesting interview on the various
physical requirements necessary 10
the athlete who would excel I'm any
or the great outdoor sports. He spoke
or the short lower legs and strong
ankles Of the jumper; the long-mus
cled. clean-cut frame of the runner:
the broad. sturdy frame OF the foot.
bail player. and so on But when he
came TO baseball he threw up his
hands Baseball players are OF all
shapes, sizes and ages. and there is
not the slightest warrant for naming
anything but good health as an essen
tial.' he said
Young Ty Cobb, champion hitter
and hero OF the American league. and
the veteran Hans Wagner. who again
distanced all corners for honors I'm the
National league, seem 10 show the wis
dom OF the experts views. Both men
arrived at the same place, but by
widely different methods. Cobb shares
with Hal Chase the fame Of being the
most remarkable young player Of the
day, and Cobb's rise TO first place was
even more nsatlonal than the Yam.
kee stars. Coming from a very minor
league, the Southern. in two years Of
big league ball he Is the most-talked.
OF player Of the season Besides lead.
Ing the American league I'm batting
with an average OF .352 the young De.
troit player showed the veterans Of
the league how TO steal bases, leading
the list with 40 pilfered bags Cobb
was under 20 when he came to Detroit.
and Il was his business. by all big.
league tradition. 20 walk softly for
couple OF years and speak when
spoken to- But no was made Of other
material. He was filled with an ad.
mirable cOnceit lie believed himself
TO be one Of the best ball players in
the country and he didn't intend losing
any time in proving II.
lie began 10 bat and run bases as N
he had q right 20, and ne felded with
a headlong aggressiveness that made
him bitter enemy or two on HIS own
club. and finally wound up I'm a pitched
battle with another out6elder Of the
Tigers Cobb licked him and went on
in the same old way This year he was
the sensation Of baseball His battling
and baserunning were the fan talk VI
eight cities OF medium height with
q straight. clean. but muscular build
powerful. tapering legs, a quick. &C
curate eye, a wonderful throwing arm
and, above all. a superior insolent con.
fdence I'm himself. he became tie
greatest ball player OF the league
while but little more than a boy
"Big. awkward conscientious. good
natured Hans Wagner steady and
strong IN HIS years Of baseball lore.
greatest ball player in the country. is
the direc, anuthesis of young Cobb
So much has been written Tor years
Of the virtues and ability of the grcat
Pirate shortstop that even a rccapitu.
lation IS almost superGuous This
year however. he accomplished one
feat That adds 10 his bonore ice estab
lshed new record for long batting
success on the diamond. this being the
NTH year that be has held The Nation
al league title iIe won he batting