The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-08
BY PAUL BRUSkE
Baseball Editor Detroit Times

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The selection of an aAll-Ameri-
can base ball team for 1908 is
simpler matter than at any prior
date since the organization of base
ball on its present plane, with two
major leagues of virtually equal
strength. In so many cases the
stars shine with such brilliance
that there can be little argument
regarding the king.
What sort of an All-American
team could be picked that would
not include King and Sullivan be-
hind the bat; Mathewson, Brown
and Walsh in the box; Wagner at
short, and Cobb and Crawford in
the outfield? These men are in a
class by themselves on the basis
of the feats of last year, and the
problem lies in grouping around
this coterie the men who would
best fill the gaps where difference
of opinion may reasonably exist.
King was the star catcher last
year. To his mechanical play he
added fine headwork and gameness
beyond question. Sullivan was the
superior of any of the American
league catchers. The third back
stop should be Bresnahan of the
Giants.
The pitching of Mathewson and
Walsh were earned by hard, steady
toll against all corners. Both came
near carrying their comrades to
championships by their own eXer-
tions, succumbing only during the
closing steps to better balanced
teams that eventually won out.
Browns record was almost as mer-
itorious, both in the regular season,
which he closed with that great
game in New York, and in the
worlds series, in which he pitched
and won so brilliant a contest. For
the others | favor Overall of the
Cubs and Donovan of the Tigers.
Overall pitched two of the best
games last fall a worlds series
crowd has ever watched. Donovan,
while unable to take the firing line
as often as the others, would not be
compelled to do so on a team with
so many willing workers. If worked
only when inform he would prob
ably run through a season with
new record setting percentage.
| have never favored a pitching
staff topheavy with lefthanders and
place but one on an All-American
team, this one being DR.. G. Harry
White of the Chicago White Sox-
a man extremely effective against
certain clubs, who would add no
inconsiderable amount of strength
in all departments of the game.
At first | would have Frank
Chance. 1t is doubtful lis there has
ever been a first baseman combin-
ing his spirit, speed and throwing,
fielding and atting ability. He
should also be the leader of the
team.
Johnny Evers of the Cubs is my
ideal of a second sacker. Lightning
fast in fielding and running, dan
gerous batsman and perhaps the
quickest thinking ball player that
ever lived, he makes up for lack of
weight In a way that makes the
spectator forget that he is midget.
Bradley of Cleveland is the pick
OF the third sackers. In but one
respect-batting-is he surpassed
by any third baseman, and on such
team as / have picked any weak
ness In this respect would be bal
anced by his unerring ability to sac.
rifice and his great fielding.
There are some who will dis.
agree with me In selecting as an
outfield the three men who per
formed for Detroit last year. There
can be little argument over Craw
ford and Cobb. however. The two
stood out as the greatest pair OF
pitcher killers of the leagues year
and acquitted themselves well In
+ the championship series. They car
throw, Geld and run as well as thu