Omaha daily bee., 1909-08-29
FOX PRAISES TWO NEW MEN
Manager Says Potts and Patton Are
Both Good Ones.
WHOLE TEAM IS WORKING HARD
All Bent ON One PurpOse of winninE,
and Fox Says Every Man on
Team IL S~uppOrtinR Him
VRItRntly.

Here is a personal letter from Man
ager Billy Fox of the Omaha team to
the sporting editor Of The Bee that is
so full Of interest that, though Mr.. Fox
did not intend the letter for publication,
The Bee presents IL verbatim to the
thousands of loyal fans who are always
eager for such news. II is gratifying
to have a manager with so lively an in
terest in the fans, and Mr.. Fox will re-
ceive the thanh Of hosts of Omaha
boosters, who will likewise send up a
OF praise for the two new men.
The letter reads:
WICHITA, Kan, Aug. 27.-I desire to
give you a few items Of news which l
am sure you can use for the pleasure Of
the Sunday readers Of The Bee. l know
you are anxious to know all about the
two new men we have on the team, Potts
and Patton.
"This man Potts. Bill secured from the
Fort Collins team and answers to the
name OF Claude. We call him Kid for
short, because he has all of the ap-
p~earance of a kid, yet the wisdom Of a
man of 80. His work at the short thus
far has been very satisfactory and he
seems to handle himself pretty well in
all departments of the game. or course
he has had very little league experience
and is just a little shy on technical
parts of the game. but he seems to have
a very good head, quick to learn, and l
am sure he Will develop into a first-class
man; fairly fast on his feet, has a good
arm and covers lots of ground. goes to
his right or left and seems to be able
to handle the slow balls toward his posi-
tion in fine style. You know this is one
of the hard features of shortstop's
work.
IF we had had his kid at the be-
ginning of our western trip undoubtedly
we would have won four or five more
games than we have. Our infield would
not only have been stronger, but with
King in the outfield we would be so per
cent stronger there also. making a bet
ter combination all around.
The new pitcher, as you know, is named
Patton. and answers to the name of Harry
c. His home is in st. Louis. 1 am very
much impressed, and so is Bill, with his
work thus far. He fills his position well,
and seems to know what to do with a ball
when he gets it. He has a fine, free, easy
arm, nice speed and a fine curve ball: his
control seems to be good, also, and / am
sure he will develop into a winner for us.
He lost his game yesterday, but through
no fault of his. We we're unable to bunch
our hits at the right time and you know
what this means.
The team in general is doing better on
this trip than any previous one and IL
we can continue the same aggressive play
ing, and uphold the same fighting spirit,
which we will do, l am sure, we will win
at least 50 per cent of the games on the
trip, which is a credltable showing. and
should bring us back to Omaha in a fine
position for a good squirt to the finish.
With that long string of games at home,
| feel that we will be able TO give Des
Molnes and Sioux City a mighty hard run
for their money; and If they beat us for
the flag, they will deserve the credit.
There is a splendid feeling and the ut
most harmony among the boys In the team;
everyone of them is pulling hard to win
and endeavoring in every way to add to
the general success of the team. This is
very encouraging to their new manager,
you may be sure. I have never handled
a better bunch of boys, nor been asso-
ciated with a better set of men. They are
cooperating with me to the best of their
ability and / seem to have fitted into the
system of the team with best results.
Now, / am not writing this out for pub
lication, but just to give you a few lines
of dope from which you can build a story
for The Sunday Bee.
II trust you will receive these few lines
in time for that purpose. Thanking you
for your past good will, and with best
wishes, 1 am, very truly yours,
wv II. FOX"