The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1910-03-18
THE STAR THIRD eAsEMAN.
w. A. Phelon Awards the Honor to
Harry Lord Of Boston.

New York, March 14.-"Who is the
best third baseman in the big
leagues?" is question that has been
much debated through the winter, and
the debate, in fact has been one of
extreme keenness ever since those
past masters, Collins and Cross, pass
ed out of the fast company. Bill
| Bradley, who would have been
strong candidate. has fallen away of
late, especially in batting. and Tom
my Leach, another corker on the far
Their sack, now plays the outtield. The
best man in the third base game today
is hard to choose, and every candidate
has partisans who back him strongly.
but | believe, taking all things into
consideration, that Harry Lord of the
Boston Reds classes as the topliner of
the present day.
Arthur Devlin is counted by many
fans, especially New Workers., as the
leader. He has been wonder in his
day and is still star, but Lord Is
the stronger player as a batsman and
a base runner, while there is little If
fielding the position. Lord therefore,
outranks Devlin in net value to team
and where, outside of Devlin, has
he fit competitor?
Sweeney and Gets of the Boston
Nationals cannot class anywhere near
Lord-he won't get any opposition in
his own town. Brooklyn, with Len
,l,s eli III - Il
err who may take the top notch laurels
in year or two. Lennox is a strong
batsman and plays third in style
that is as perfect, mechanically, as
anyone can display.
Steinfeldt of the Cubs comes just
little short of Devlin in batting, base
running and territory covered. Steiny
Is aging, but is still a wholly compe
tent man, and far from the Has Been"
division. Lebert of the Reds, when
in proper form, is a good, husky third
baseman and better batsman than
Devlin, but was way off last season.
Eddie Grant of the Quakers, is steadily
gaining in all departments and was
only the shortest shade under Dew
Inns strength last year.
The champion Pirates now use Bob
by Byrne on third-a midget who does
his best, but is not to be considered
a topnotcher. Bresnahan has Barbeau
and Mowery. OF these, Barbeau is
even smaller than Byrne and hardly
as efficient Mowery is an unfortunate
player, who is growing old in big
league uniforms, yet without having
a really fair chance to show whether
he is winner or dub.
Devlin, therefore, may be rated as
the star of the National league, with
Grant faint shade below him.
Baker of the Athletics is tearing,
numbering batsman, always as fire..
quent a hitter as Lord and more on
the long range, clean up pattern. He
is not as fast on the bases and has a
good deal to learn about the fine work
in fielding the position.
Tannehill of the White Sox is still
fielding the base-the equal to any
one-but has always been weak hit
ter, and is growing no younger. Pur.
tell, who bids fair to cop the job from
fanny" is good hitter and fast
fielder, but quite away below the Lord
or Devln standard.
Bradley of Cleveland, once a wonder
on the bases and with the stick is a
weak batsman now. He can still field
most brilliantly, but is outClassed in
the batting line. Perring, his alter.
nate, is a good second rate player, not
a star
Moriarty of the Tigers is an improv-
ing player, good batsman, fast run
ner-a man who will be up near the
top with another years gain in skill.
Austin of the Highlanders is fairly
good young performer, but certainly
cannot be rated as a leading star,
either as a batter or fielder.
Wallace probably will play the bag
for the Browns. Once marvel on
third-even better than at short-he
is growing old and slowing up, hence
can hardly be counted as a competitor.
Conroy of the Senators is a veteran,
a fair class performer, but no longer
among the headliners.
1t looks like Lord for the leading
honors, all right and he is quite likely
to hold them through the season.
w. 4. Phelon.