Goldsboro semi-weekly argus., 1909-07-10

BILLY SULLIVAN, NEW MANAGER OF CHI-
CAGO AMERICANS.
way with ability and experience to
carry successfully the burden borne
by bis predecessor SO royalty for near
Iy five years.
Having been Jones' roommate on the
road for SO many seasons, Sullivan
knows to the smallest fraction Of an
inch the size and shape of the shoes
it is his task to I'll. Sharing Jones'
confidence at all times, Sully has be-
come familiar with practically all the
problems team manager must face
and solve, and, in addition, he brings
to the solution of such problems long
and honorable exr rience in the sci
ence of attack and efense on the dia-
mond. a brain that is wise to all the
tricks of the game, a sunny disposi-
ton and a clean, square record which
have made him one of the most per
sonally popular and respected players
in the game.
In speaking of the teams new man
ager President Comiskey said:
sullivan has the same qualities that
made Jones SO capable and strong a
leader. He has the personal friendship
not only of all the men under him, but
of all the players who know him.
have seen it stated that Billy may lack
aggressiveness. but it is my belief that
there are few more aggressive players
In the game than he is. By that mean
the fighting quality which shows it.
self in action rather than noise. He
never knows he is beaten until he is.
Sullivan will be the boss at all
times and will have my confidence and
the knowledge that all will have to
say will be in the nature of advice
when he asks for it,
From the fans standpoint the only
question regarding the wisdom of max
| ing Sullivan manager of the team has
been the possibility that the additional
burden might affect his value as a
catcher. Experience has shown that
in almost every instance the accept
ance Of the task of management. in ad
dition to active participation in the
ga me. has shown its effect. slightly al
least. in the subsequent mechanical
performances Of the player-manager
except in few Instances
In Sullivan's case. however. 1t is be
li,ved this effect will be slight If hs
dees not prove an exception to all prec
| caent TIE catcher today naturally
| Is an assistant manager anyway. Upor
/ him falls the task of starting and di
citing nearly every defensive pla.
'lile the team is in the field Will
AZ IL tual manager in the outfield OIL
u fire hereh as is frequently the case
The atclier has to think out plan anf
<irnal for the execution of dozens OF
schemes in actual play to every de
i:.iol the y .tual manager must make
i s1ons the slime lines. For that reason
| he additional burden which Sullivan
has assumed will be lighter than would
&c tho case with player In any othel
position. He has become accustomed
d TO d. f'}7r r,uc1l Of the thinking for eacl
play in atvstnee and necessarily will
i assume the task of doing practically
i II Of Il without great strain.
Sullivan l,.,s been the star catchel
for the Sox since 1901. He was pur
B hased from the Boston National leagu,
81 club Boston got him from Columbus
o He beran his baseball career a
Dubuque Ia
Sullivan has been regarded generall.
, py baseball experts as one of the great
! est backstops in the business Las
3 year he led he American league catch
ers with a fielding average Of .9S5- II
J his batting. however. he fell short O
his previous records. His average TO
the season was only .191. He has
however. always been regarded as
great pinch hitter.