Evening star., 1909-01-10
GEORGE STONE A
BROWN FIXTURE
Owner Hedges Denies Having
a Thought of Trading His
Star Batter.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. January 9.-George
Stone will continue to be Brownie. He s
almost as much a fixture with the st.
Louis base ball team as the name
Browns Owner r. L. Hedges declared
yesterday that there is absolutely nothing
to any rumors that George was to be
traded, and made his denial stronger by
stating that there Is but one or possibly
two outfielders in the American League
WHOM he considers superior to the active
81 Louis batsman.
\ This piece of information will be re-
ceived gladly by thousands of the fans
of this city. When the rumored trade of
the Browns best hitter and run-getter
was first made the fans showed signs of
apprehension. They don't want Stone to
leave. He is the most valuable man on
the team, and he should have many years
of activity in the big league before he will
need to think of retiring.
Stone scored more runs than any
Brownie last season. He made more base
hits and no one got on the bases as much
as he. He has great speed, Is splendid
fielder. a heady player and, best or ailr a
piugger. He has but one fault, and that
is a weak throwing arm, but his good
qualities are so many that the one weak
ness is lot going to crowd him off the
team.
Surprised at Report.
II was little surprised 10 hear of the
reports that We're out saying Stone would
be traded said President Hedges yester-
day Il have been away for week, and
had no chance to deny them, but I want
to set the public right on that matter at
once. Mr.. McAleer and myself think
George Stone one of the grandest bail
players in the American League, and if
ii would have to be because we are getting
something extraordinarily good his
place.
But we haven't approached any one
ON trade for Stone, and though no doubt
there are lot of club owners who would
like to get Stone, / can't see where they
have chance. There are two outfielders
in the American League who are probably
better than George Stone, though 1 am
doubtful of ones being as serviceable a
player. The two are Sam Crawford and
Ty Cobb, both of Detroit. Crawford
consider the best of them all, and 1 wish
we had him. Cobb of course, is Won
derful and sensational player, but I doubt
Stone stands right up with the leaders
and we're proud of him. / think st.
| Louis fans are proud of him, and they
| would all be sorry to see him go. Well,
he's not going. unless, Of course, some
thing very unusual would happen and
could get Sam Crawford or a whole ball
| club for him.
McAleer Likes Stone.
Several times during the past season
Manager McAleer has expressed delight
| in owning player like George Stone.
why, / wouldn't trade him for any play
er in the business" has been much
used expression of the Browns leader
after George. in his quiet way, had banged
out the hit that won a game or after
| he had gone through an unusually good
| day.
| Stone is one of those plugging players
who is always giving the club the best
he has. He never SulkS. Because he is
so modest and quiet the fans are some
| times bit disappointed, thinking he
| Lacks enthusiasm But George controls
| himself In victory and In defeat. Many
| a time he has come up and lined out a
set the thousands of fans in an uproar OF
| delight. But George was unassuming
| and steady under such conditions as when
| he has gone to lat with the bases full
/ and famed out, probably causing the loss
| of a game where a hit would have
| brought victory.
He's always the same He never gets
| excited. He never has trouble with the
umpires and consequently is not out OF
| the game because OF suspensions a grea,
| part of the time. George may not be q
| leader. but he's the best plugger the team
has ever had. and McAleer knows tha,
he has one man tffst is going to do his
level best TO win every day he plays.
Quiet But Effective.
| little enthusiasm on ball club is
| undoubtedly a good thing. But Stone
IAN battle with just rs much strength
/ without running circles on the coaching
| line and tossing his cap into the air
! No one knows what eagerness is tear.
| ing at his heart when he steps up to the
| plate in a critical place in the game
| If he fails, he walks quietly back to the
| bench. though the pain because of his
= iInre may even exceed that nf thu Dlav