The Topeka state journal., 1908-12-01
Chicago Cubs Secure a Marvel
From Wisconsin League.
Charley Nichols Gives Him
Great Send Off as Batter.
CAN STEAL BASES, TOO
Is a Right Hand ThrOwer and
Left Hand Hitter.
Toledo Had Spoken for Him But
Forgot to Make Deposit.


Chicago, Dec. 1.-According to a
baseball Sherlock Holmes, who travel
ed in the south last season, Manager
McGraw, of the Giants, in drafting
Catcher Rapp from the Meridian team
of the Cotton State league grabbed one
of footbaTPs brightest stars. Rapp. it is
said, is no other than George Capron,
the famous fullback of the University
Of Minnesota team of 1907.
Capron is back in school again this
fall. but has been declared ineligible on
account, of his connection With profess
sional baseball. Capron was the best
fullback in the west last season on ac-
count of his marvellous ability as a
punter and dropkicker- He was com
pared to Coy, of Yale, and many critics
hailed him as the greatest kicker since
the days of Herschberger, and that was
several seasons ago.
Capron's kicking ability may have at
tracted McGraw to him, but at any rate
he had a fine season down south. 1t IS
just possible that he will not get a trial
with the Giants, as there is some dis
pute over the title to him, caused by
the assumed name.
If the opinions of veteran baseball
Judges are not all at sea the Chicago
Cubs have secured the marvel of them
all for 1909-the man who will make
them all sit up and yell. and whose ad-
ditfon to the team will give just the
strength required to hold down the
enemy and win another flag.
The young marvel is Miller, Of the
Wisconsin league, and everyone who
has seen him play is firm in the bellef
that there hasn't been anything ike
him since Lange and Hamilton were IN
the heydey of their glory.
Miller led the Wisconsin league last
season with an immense majority over
all competitors and an average of 1888.
He mixed up his hits, making bunts,
short singles. doubles, triples and home
runs with the greatest impartiality. On
the bases he showed speed such as has
not been seen in any league IN many
years. He stole ninety-one cushions,
and toward the last of the season was
collecting the sacks by wholesale
against every battery in the league.
Charlie Nichols, for so many seasons
BOston's great pitcher, told President
Murphy about Miller early last sum-
mer.
"I've seen an awful lot of ball players
come and CO." said Nichols, 'and 1
never saw anything like this fellow"
How about Tyrus Cobb?'' queried
Murphy. - ....
''It may not seem possible" responde
Nichols, ''but I give you my word THAI
this man is faster than Cobb-faster
and better in every way. He'll hit $50
anywhere, and he'll steal his bases off
BreSnahan and Doom lust as ne -Would
off the little fellows IN the baby
leagues"
Naturally this recommend made Muir
phv bestir himself. He found, when he
went after Miller, that Toledo had
made a play for the boy. Either
through earelessness or forgetfulness.
Armour did not put up his money on
the exact day, when it should have
been sent in. Mr.. Murphy instantly
claimed Miller, and the claim was al
lowed.
when I heard how good this man
was" said the Cubs president, 'I sent
people up to watch him Each one
brought back better reports than the
others. and all were rapturous about
him. He is a rfght-handed throweF and
a left-handed hitter. He goes to first
as Keeler used to-like a flash with the
tap Of the bat-and he takes the long
chances in Bill Lange's fashion. One
manager whom I asked about Miller
looked sheepish and said that he would
be glad to see him get out of that
league. In one game this summer
said this manager, Miller hit one to
third It struck the third baseman's
hands. carromed off and rolled a few
feet away. When the ball was recov-
cred Miller was on second. In another
game Miller made a bunt when We were
all playing back for a hard hit. Next
time, when we drew in close, he hit
through the infield so savagely that the
ball never stopped till past the outfield,
and he got home rum