Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-01
"CY" YOUNG BEST, SAYS EVANS
By Umpire Billy Evans.

Who is the best pitcher in the major
leagues?
The average base ball fan has asked
himself that question hundreds OF times
Often he has put it up to base ball
critics for decision.
1t would be mighty difficult indeed for
any authority to make any better than
a near guess. The American and Ma
tional leagues boast of many great
pitchers. Each star has his following,
who vows he is the best ever and oners
many good reasons for the belief.
When speaking of great pitchers. how
ever don't forget Denton T. Young, bet
ter known to tandom as "Cy."
characters and famous players, but none
seems to have anything on the grand Old
man. He's wonder in hundred diff
ferent ways.
the followers of the game in the city OF
culture know base ball. Cy is pop
ular hero. Cy's popularity. however,
isn't limited to Boston. for in every city
in the American League circuit he is
strong drawing card His appearance In
the box is always hailed with delight,
and his reception - always one round
OF continual applause.
Fans the country over regard Young
with almost reverence. When he wins
baseballdom is happy. when he loses
an excuse can always be found for his
defeat. The great sport is filled with
clever fellows. but among them all old
Cy commands greater part OF the spot
light.
/ happened to finish up the season OF
1905 with the Boston team. l live in the
vicinity of Paoli, Ohio, which is proud of
being the home OF Young. and as luck
I.ty both
on the same train, homeward bound
Naturally we chatted over the events of
the season-and Cyrus, by the way. can
converse just about as well AS he can
pitch. II he feels so disposed.
You would think that veteran like
Cy would be ready to forget base ball
for the winter after strenuous season.
but not he. He was all excitement over
a game that was 10 be played at Canal
Dover late in October. Tie game was
for the benefit of a hospital and Cy had
been requested to pitch. in order to swell
the receipts. He had accepted and could
hardly wait for the day OF the fray.
After he told me all about the event.
which was 10 open with a celebration in
his honor ] remarked that supposed
he would take things easy so as 10
avoid iniurinE his salary eetter. Here
is the answer. and il typical OF the
man:
very best ! know how. If any of the
PLAYERS think I'm going to lob the ball
up they will be badly mistaken before
the game is over The people at The
ga me will pay to see me pitch and not to
make farce out of IT. perhaps none
of them ever had a chance to see me
work in the big league and is big
league pitching that most OF them will
pay their money to see. That's just
what they are going to get. and II l
don't win that game l. won't be the fault
of CYRUS"
won heat that
.well. / suppose you will retire this
fan?" 1 ventured more as joke than
anything else.
No doubt I ought so.' replied "Cy.
"but next year will find me with the
Red Sox of Boston, despite all reports
that may be published To the contrary
True, l did think about quitting the
game a couple of years ago. but I've
gotten all over IT. I've strange de-
sire now to see how long / can really
get away without losing my elective
ness
There is one thing certain, however,.
continued ICY" Il never will go back
70 the minors. Just as long as / can
aold my own in the majors I'll continue
20 pitch. but just as soon as mention Is
made of the bush league, I'll prepare TO
make my quick exit to Paoli. ! have a
fair bank account. right nice farm. SO
guess I'll manage to exist when the
major league gets too fast for me.
fit rendered him by the Boston fans, Cy
only made about $4,000 out Of base ball
in 1908. Looks il he is telling the
truth about being pretty well fixed.
sore pitching arm is the bugaboo
IF every big league twirler. There are
many ways in which a pitcher can put
MS whip out of commission. Often
cold settles in the shoulder elbow and
makes il impossible for him to do good
wGrk. Excessive use of the curve ball is
often the cause of a lame arm, while the
swapping straining of the muscles Is
often given as the trouble.
Cy Young is the one big Lacquer who
during his entire career has never once
been known to complain of sore arm.
lie is always the first man To get into
playing condition. and when the season Is
over no one is more tit than he to go the
route.
Plenty of rest after pitching Will keep