Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-06
FERRIS RIVAL
FOR BRADLEY
The Brown Third Baseman
Thought by Many Fans to
Be Maps Equal.

1t is generally conceded that Bill Brad
ley and Hobe Ferris played the best ball
of the third basemen in the American
League during the past season, SAYS
Harry Edwards in the Cleveland Pain
dealer. Clevelanders all swear by Brad
ley and say that he is not ready yet to
relineuish his crown as king Of third
sackers. On the other hand St. Louis
rooters and many Of the other towns
claim that the former Boston man had
something on the Clevelander during the
last season.
There is no denying the fact that Fer
ris proved to be more or less than a SEN
sation on the third cushion. For several
years he had been regarded second
baseman above the average. but when it
was announced that Manager McAleer in
tended transferring him over to third base
the wiseacres shook their heads and said:
"McA,eer is making a mistake. Fer
ris' arm is not good enough to make the
throw from third"
Nursed His Arm.
The season opened. Ferris hundred his
arm for a time but managed to get the
batter in most every instance. As the
weather grew warmer he became able to
cut loose with all the speed necessary and
made the throw as well as any third base
man in the league. He went through the
campaign. playing AS games at third base.
accepting more chances than any of his
rivals. Tannehill of Chicago beat him in
assists. but in putouts Ferris had plenty
of margin. In addition. he led the third
basemen of the league in fielding, his
average being $50. Coughlin. Conroy and
Bradley following in order, Bradley's av
erage being $3.50 At the bat Ferris led
Bradley by twenty-seven points. being eX
celled. however by the Cleveland boy in
sacrifice hits and stolen bases.
frhus on paper Ferris looks To have all
the best Of the argument. but should
Cleveland offer to trade Bradley to. st.
Louis for Ferris, McAleer would be will
ing to throw in another player to cinch
the deal There is no better bunter than
Bradley. and he is also there in a pinch
with safe drive. Ferris is also a timely
hitter, but not very useful when it comes
to laying the ball down. Bradley is much
the faster man on the bases
In fielding Bradley excels in two ways.
No other third sacker in the league can
make those one-handed pick-ups with the
accuracy of Bradley and in blocking off a
runner at third the Nap is almost alone
" his class. Ferris. however. seemed to
De stronger in going over the bag to
knock down THOSE vicious siZZlers along
the line Bill Coushiin, when with Wash
ington. had the same knack of turning
years had slowed up enough to find such
feats impossible In head work. every one
will concede that Bradley is the superior
of Ferris the latter being clearly nothing
but mechanical player. one who loves
the game and thinks of nothing else. hut
ne never did possess the mental qualifica-
tons that Bradley does.
League Strong on Third.
The American League was fortunate i'll
basemen. When it comes to playing the
sack and killing hunts Shipke Of Wash
tneton has few RIVALS. but Joe CantilIon
himself says that IT is crime to send
him to bat Lee Tarnehil is OF the same
stripe Hn is a grand tielder-the game
has known few better-but is very weak
at the bat. In fact. he made only 1O4
hits i'm al games tins year When he
first Joined the White SoX he looked to
be false alarm fielder, but he i'm
proved rapidly. and. outside of Bradley
il is doubtful II there Is a more brilliant
third baseman in the circuit or the coun-
try, in fact.
Clevelanders never will forget the won
derful play he made in the last game of
the season there this fall when he grab
bed Hnchmans bad bounder and shot
the ball home TO Sullivan just in time to
retire Stovall and save Chicago from a
defeat Such plays are common for Tan
nehill Just as they are for Bradley.
Jimmy Collins used to be wonderful
third baseman. In fact, all departments
of the game considered, he ranked at the
top for several years But it is now a
case of was with Collins No longer
is it "is'' He mas seen his best days.
and il would occasion no surprise If
younger man replaced him next year
Conroy a Good Man.
For six or seven years Wild Con-
rpy Of the Yankees has been PLAYING
second, third, short and the outfield
He has never shown poorly In any OF
the positions. but third base is where
he looks best. Place him with d WIN
ming team and he would crowd Brad
ley Tannehill and Ferris for the honors
Most of the men on the New York team
last year seemed TO be content If they
could sign their names at the club office
twice a month. AS result it is no
surprise that Conroy failed TO distin-
gush himself Nevertheless, If the