The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1909-05-06

way with ability and experience to
carry successfully the burden borne
by his predecessor so royalty for near
~ 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 FILL 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 a long
and honorable experience in the sci
ence Of attack and defense on the dia-
nond, brain that is wise to all the
tricks of the game, sunny disposi-
tion and clean, square record which
have made him one Of the most per-
senally popular and respected players
in the game.
In speaking. of the teams new man
ager Presidents 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 I will have to
say viii 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 adj
dition to active participation in the
game, has shown its effect, slightly at
least, IN the subsequent mechanical
performances of the player
except in few instances.
In Sullivan's case, however, it is be-
lieved this effect will be slight if he
does not prove an exception to all prec-
edent. The catcher today naturally
is an assistant manager anyway. Upon
him falls the task of starting and di-
recting nearly every defensive play
while the team is in the field. With
the actual manager in the outfield or
on the bench. as is frequently the case,
the catcher has to think out plan and
signal for the execution of dozens Of
schemes in actual play to every de-
cision the actual manager must make
along the same lines For that reason
the additional burden which Sullivan
has assumed will be lighter than would
be the case with player in any other
position. He has become accustomed
to doing much of the thinking for each
play In advance and necessarily will
assume the task Of doing practically
all Of it without great strain.
Sullivan has been the star catcher
for the Sox' since 1901. He was pur-
chased from the Boston National league
club. Boston got him from Columbus,
0. He began his baseball career at
Dubuque, Ia
Sullivan has been regarded generally
L sIo~ F,..r1
est backstops in the business. Last
year he led the American league catch
ers with a fielding average Of $50. In
his batting, however, he fell short Of
his previous records. His average for
the season was only .191. He has,
however, always been regarded as q
great pinch hitter.