Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-27
A TRUE PROPHET
A 1907 Forecast of the Great
Ability of Eddie Collins.
HAD 1T. ALL "DOPED" OUT
Newspaper Correspondent That
Early Compared Second Baseman
to Lajoie and Chase.
From Sporting Life.

From Sporting Life.
NEW YORK. November 26-Eddie Col
Inns. hero of the worlds series, Ell route
to his home in Tarrytown, stopped off in
New York the other day to look up some
old friends and pay Columbia a visit.
There is talk of reviving foot ball at that
university. and Collins, who is an ardent
lover of the game. wanted to see for him.
helf just what the prospects were for
putting his alma mater back on the grid
iron map. Collins was a bit reticent on
base ball and discla.med any personal
credit for the Athletics glorious victory.
This wonderful youth, whose fame by this
time has penetrated every nook and cor
ner OF America: this youngster, who sent
conservative old Philadelphia into blissful
delirium; this boy, to tell of whose exploits
ON the diamond reams upon reams of
copy paper have been consumed, Is the
least concerned of all in this excitement
which is only now abating and his crani-
um is exactly where it was before he
ever heard of the big league-squarely
upon his we'll built shoulders. OF all the
praise that has been written about him
and some of the stuff would have turned
the head of king-this modest lad reads
| hardly any of 1t.
A Prediction of 1907.
Only one article referred to himself has
he cut from a newspaper. That was three
years ago, when he was an obscure COL
lege youth, but he never tires reading this
item. and to his intimates proudly exhi-
bits 1t as one of his most valued possess
sions. 1t seems only right, and it is a
happy coincidence, too, that from the
columns of base balls greatest authority
should be clipped the only story that ever
| tempted the vanity of base balls greatest
player. The article, written then by N.Y.
SELF. is again submitted to Sporting Life
| those who made the prediction therein
may justly point with PRIDE to prophecies
| that have been doubly fulfilled:
New York, May 20, 19O7-Accord-
! ing to reports of base ball scouts and
expert judges in this territory 1t appears
that Connie Mack picked up rare gem
where he signed Eddie Collins, student
! at Columbia College. 1t is said that the
! young man is marvellous shortstop and
in fielding way is fully entitled to be
classed with Chase, Lajoie and Wagner.
| Conservative Billy Gilbert the ex-Giant,
| who seldom ventures an opinion one way
or the other on the ability of brother
ball tosser, is quite enthusiastic about
the collegian, and the former Lacquer is
anxious to go on record ahead of all
OlIltIS Ill pIculCliuS tIldl SOlllI1S VIII De
the most wonderful player, with the ex-
ception of Chase, who has come into
| fast company since the appearance of
Lajoie. This boy declared Gilbert the
other night at his cafe. referring to Col
| Inns, is one Of the greatest ball players
| in the business. You may quote me on
! that and ] don't care how strong you
| make it, either. / am Serious Gilbert
added, when j say that neither Chase
| Wagner nor Lajoie has thing on the
v1,on
| happened to be within hearing. corrobo-
rated Gilberts statements as to the col
iegian's accomplishments and was also
! of the opinion that Collins would prove
| to be the sensation of the league after
he had been playing in it awhile. AS
Gilbert and kleinow coached Columbia's
squad this spring they are in a position
to know what they are talking about. 1t
is the consensus Of opinion of ball play
ers who make a rendezvous OF GilbertS
establishment that the acquisition of Col
Inns WILL if reports concerning the young
ster be true. strengthen the Philadelphia
team considerably. for it is said that
the Tarrytowner will make the far cor
ner of Macks diamond as strong as it
ever was in the best days OF Lave
Cross
An incident connected with the appear
ance of the story here is worth mention
ing. The evening of the day Oh which
it was published Collins and some of his
chums were seen uptown. eacA with a
number of papers in hand.
''Oh. we're buying up all the Sporting
Lifes' we can find replied one of the
young men when questioned by an ac-
quaintance who ran into the party.
Yes, that's right vouchsafed Collins,
quietly, but with twinkle in tis eye.
I'm a wonderful ball player and if YOU
don't believe it,"-pointing to the article
read this. | never knew before what
a wonder I was and we are going to
take these papers over to the school and
let the other fellows in on the secret.
for don't believe they know how great
am. either
Collins. nevertheless. was pleased with
the write-up and could conceal his pleas
ure no more than the others in the
party, who did not try to hide their
elation over the fact that the marvellous
abilities of Eddie Collins-whom they
just about worshiped-were at last being
recognized.
Good at Foot Ball.
1t is not at base ball only that the
Athletics second baseman shines On
the foot ball field at Columbia Collins
work was phenomenal in every sense of
the word. and when Eddie left Morning
side Heights foot ball also disappeared
| from there. People who saw Yale play