The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1910-08-12

F EVERY player on the Detroit team
could play ball like Ty Cobb and
Ownie Bush, the Tigers shortstop,
there would be no doubt who would
win the American league champion
ship this year. But Jennings isn't
fortunate enough to have a team of
Cobbs and Bushes. Consequently
there is some doubt whether he will
be able to overcome the lead Philadel-
phia has on him at present. Fans are
figuring however that the Tigers will
finish as good as second.
Bush has been great help to the
Tigers ever since he donned the De-
troit uniform. Some of the experts
say he is the greatest shortstop in the
american league. He's sensational
player and covers a world of ground.
Eothing seems too fast for him to at
least get his hands on and the bats
men of opposing teams have had many
a safe hit spoiled by his work.
Bush's worth as fielder doesn't
chow in the averages. He reaches and
break down so many hits that an
other shortstop would never get near
that he is charged with many errors.
His all around ability makes him
the star shortstop. He is good hit
ter, one of the best men in the league
on the bases and plays the bag well
in addition to his marvellous fielding
ability.
Sheriff Mullen, of Navasota, Texas,
was the most obstinate club owner
have ever met" says Jimmy Gilman.
There are people, am sorry to say,
right here in Cleveland, who actually
doubt the full and absolute truth of
come of the stories 1 have been tell
ing about the curious and wonderful
things that happened in the baseball
fields down in the big state, but every
resident of old Navasota will swear to
what am about to tell you now:
''Ted Sullivan sent us down from
Dallas to -Navasota one day to play
Sheriff Mullen's team. We had been
guaranteed $3.50 and, as all our ex-
penses were to be paid, we took along
only two new league balls. The
Navasotas came on the field with only
one, making three altogether.
"The outfield in Navasora was sim
ply one big pasture where Sheriff Null
lens horses, pigs, cows and SHEEP
grazed at will. Among the animals
was pet broncho, and noticed while
we were at practise that this broncho
would start in mad pursuit of every
ball batted out near where he was
browsing.
He chewed up two or three old balls
used in the warming up period and
began to get suspicious.
please take that palfry to the sta
BILE and lock him up I said to the
Navasotas owner.
"'Not on year life,' Mullen said
He's got as much right here as the
umpire or you yourself. Moreover the
home team makes it's own ground
rules down in this section of the state.
stays right where he is
ut meant 500 extra for us if we
won the game, but there was nothing
for us to do but to abide by the home
clubs rules.
$50 far as the game itself was con-
cerned it was cinch from the start
and we had them IL to at the end
of the second inning.
"All this time the broncho had been
nibbling grass out near the fence and
paying but little attention to the play
ers. In the third inning Virgil Garvin,
the Navasotas' pitcher, hit a fly that
was muffed by our centerfelder. The
ball rolled out by the fence, where it
was Immediately gobbled UP by the
broncho.
Another new ball was put into play.
and the next batter up for Navasota
drove three-bagger to left center.
My outfielders had no chance to re-
trieve the ball, for the broncho was
after it as soon as it left the Dat and
had chewed it into a shapeless mass
ten seconds after it struck the ground.
The umpire called it home run and
we let it go at that.
1--WE were still far ahead of the
home team, but I had forgotten that
we had but one more ball. In the
next inning there was another long
drive to left center. and once more
the broncho bounced on the ball.
The outfielders seized the animal
and tried to wrest the ball from its
mouth, but the sphere had already
been well masticated and was beyond
redemption.
1.-THE game had to be called before
five innings had been completed be-
cause there were no more balls.
1.-THE fans demanded their money