Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-27
TWO VERSATILE LADS.
Candidates for Pirates Initial Cor.
ner Can Also Play Other Places.

John A. Flynn and Bayard Sharpe two
college boys. are rival candidates for first
base position on the Pittsburg team this
year. The worlds champions require only
one first baseman. but there is strong
possibility that both Of the promising
young men will be retained by Manager
Clarke. as they can play several positions
Sharpe, a State College man. can play
any infield station. and is a good out
fielder. In fact, II was as an outhelder
that he made his debut at Boston, when
he was fresh from college. Jack Flynn is
even more versatile. Because Of Flynn's
ability to play in either field and behind
the bat, Manager Kelly of the st. Paul
team was able last summer to throw
many scouts for a first baseman off the
scent A number of the experts heard
good reports about his work and made
1t their business to follow the st. Paul
club. but every time Kelly discovered a
scout in town he changed Flynn's posi-
ton. Then it was Flynn's misfortune to
hurt his leg In midsummer and the acct
dent kept him out OF the game two Or
three weeks. which also helped aong st.
Paurs scheme to keep him under cover.
Notwithstanding all of these precautions,
the Boston Americans did put In draft
for Flynn, but lost him in the drawing.
have obtained for the draft price. 81 900.
a release that cost the Pittsburg club
81. 90 later.
1t will be remembered that Manager
Fred Clarke journeyed all the way from
the Little Pirate ranch, near Winfield.
Kan. to New York last December to put
the Flynn deal through. The day he an
| nounced the contamination of the deal
at the Waldorf-Astoria he gave the scouts
that assembled something to talk ABOUT.
Howard Earl, chief scout for the world 8
champions; Lou Heilbroner. the Cincin-
natl expert. and Patsy Donovan, now
manager of the Boston Americans, but
last season a scout for that club. were
sitting together in the corridor when they
heard the news, and each had an expert
ence to tell about Flynn.
| IT received q tip about Flynn and went
| to St Paul to take a peep at him. but the
him to the outfield. At that, liked
Flynn's movements SO well that recon-
mended him to our club. but our draft
did not go through" said Donovan.
ssKeliy took Flynn out of the game en-
tirely the day I was there. and the young
| fellow was behind the bat catching when
Mr.. Dreyfuss showed up" reported How
ard Earl.
experience. Finally he said: Il heard
that Flynn was a promising young first
baseman. and went out to verify the in
| formation. I did not make myself con-
\ SpicuOus DuI M8ndScr Nelly icdrHeO
somehow that I was In town. and that
afternoon he switched Flynn from first
| to short"
/ Clarke did not do any boasting about
Flynn then. and has not done any since.
The boss OF the worlds champions will
study records and listen to recommenda-
lions. but never forms an opinion of a
PLAYER until he plays on the same team
with him. 'You can Judge the fielding.
batting or running ability OF a man on
the other side. but you cannot learn
\ whether he is game or not until you
play with him." Clarke always says. He
has little use for a player lacking In
courage.