Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-24
AMERICAN LEAGUE IS SHY OF
REAL GOOD FIRST BASEMEN
Only Guardian of Real Merit Is Hal Chase,
Highlanders' Leader-Several Are Tot
tering on Verge of Passing Out.

DETROIT. December 24.-Any one who
is seeking a short cut to fame and for
tune can find it easily if only he can
dig up half a dozen high-class first base
men available for major league duty.
With the exception Of New York. almost
every club in the American League could
use a premier sacker of high quality. and
would be willing to pay snug sum for
his services and to the man who recon-
mended him.
There seems to be more room for i'm
provement around the initial cushions in
Ban Johnson's league than anywhere else
on the diamond and fewer really high
class candidates from whom to fill this
room.
New York. of course, isn't a bit wor-
ried, for in Ha! Chase it has the best in
the business today and one of the great
est who ever wore spiked shoes. In fact,
the majority of critics concede the Yam
KEGS new manager the palm for all
around ability over all the other men
who ever played the position.
AS fielder Chase stands alone among
the American League first basemen. On
thrown balls he is marvel. on ground
ers wizard and on hot liners delight.
NO matter how carelessly an infelder
may heave the pill to Chase's corner. be
IT nigh, low or wide. Manager Hal will
manage to spear 1t somehow and hook
that toe of his into the canvas.
Added to this, he is possessor of a won
derful arm and large supply Of base
ball brains. He makes pickups look easy
and plays wide losses with one hand
better than lot OF men can handle them
right In the pocket. AS hitter he al
ways is dangerous, being clever hit
and run man and one who breaks up a
lot Of base ball games with timely safe
ties. Also he can run the bases better
than beginner.
Chase Stands Alone.
Having disposed OF Chase, there remain
very few first sackers who may be class
ed as more than ordinarily efficient, all
things considered. Beginning with the
worlds champion Athletics, Harry Davis
rapidly is approaching the sere and yell
low of his base bali existence He is
slower than cold molasses covers little
ground and has habit Of muffing thrown
balls every now and then without appar-
emf cause. The latter failing was much
in evidence in the worlds series, when
Harry committed a couple of rank errors
at times when 1t was just as well to
omit this form Of diversion.
Davis hits the ball very hard when he
connects and must be considered better
than an average batter. On the bases.
however, he is somewhat unwieldy, and
following such sprinters as Eddie Collins
and Baker. looks like steam roller.
There is no doubt that Connie Mack in
tends to let the veteran seek a mana
gerial position as soon as he can break in
a youngster for the job now held down
by Harry. HouSer is said to be making
such progress that he will be able to step
into the captains shoes In another year.
He certainly has the build for first bas-
ing, being an enormous man with a reach
that covers almost the entire face Of the
earth.
In old Tom Jones, Detroit has a man
who looks about as good as any one
In the league, Chase always excepted.
Tom never was a SNOWY player, but he
has habit Of going out there and
playing good reliable bail, day after day
come and recruits have gone seeking the
venerable Toms place. but the veteran
still holds the fort and is likely to go
on holding it for some time to come.
Although not a fence breaker in any
sense. Tom has the happy faculty of get
ting his hits when they are needed. Also
he Is one OF the best hunters in the
league. a past master of the sacrifice
hit. To this may be added gameneSs
that knows not the meaning Of flinching.
Tom quit his bag. and he tries for
Everything that comes near. Every
body likes the Pennsylvania and it will
be with genuine regret that the base
ball public and players will witness his
passing from the major leagues when
the time comes for him to give way to a
younger man.
stahl Appears Sincere.
Jake Stahl's retirement, which looks like
the real thing at this time, will put big
crimp. in the Boston club, for Jake is an
all-round player of the gilt-edged type.
Bradley probably will be used on the No
cushion. The recruit is something OF
an unknown quantity, but John I. Taylor
for Stahl. Without knowing a great deal
of Bradley. it is believed by some that he
would prefer Jake If it came to a choice
between the two.
If Stovall plays the sort Of ball of which
he is capable Cleveland will have little
to worry over next year. For some time
past this player has not shown his best
work. but when he wants to get in and
hustle and is not nursing a real or fan
cied grievance he is good enough for
any one. The fact that Cleveland has
refused to consider several trades for
Stovall would indicate that he will be
back on the job in the spring.
Hohnhurst Will Not Do.
Hohnhorst, youngster from the Texas
League. was given a trial by the Maps
last fall. He showed considerable fielding
ability. but was weak with the stick and
on base ball knowledge. The idea seems
to prevail that he will be sent back to the
minors for another years experience,
which ought to put him in line for q