Norwich bulletin., 1910-08-25
BRIDWELL AND TINKER
The Premier Shortstops of Country Since Passing of Wagner. Says New York Writer.

During the recent series between the Giants and Cubs at the Polo grounds at New York, says Sam Crane, two ot the best shortstops now playing ball -Bridwell and Yfnker-faced one an- other in their Respective positions, and it was a real treat to see them per form They both seemed to appreciate the wonderful ability Of each other, and in every game of the four>played there was battle royal of snortstops.
 From every angle of play the only fair decision would be to give a draw betw cen them.
 Since the passing of Hans Wagner the mainstay of the Pirates, Bridwell and Tinker are easily the premier shortstops of the country
 To venture to say that the great Wagner Is passing or going back will be considered a sacrilege. no doubt not alone in Pittsburg, but throughout the league circuit. but the fact remains that the awkward Dutchman is no. coming" even if many think he is not falling off.
 But Wagner's record, both in field ing and batting, this season, is so far behind his remarkable showing in pre- viouS years as a Pirate that there must be reason for it, and the most nota- ble conclusion to arrive at is that age is telling on the old veteran.
 Youth must prevail in athletics. There is no getting around that, and there have been more object lessons this year in baseball to prove it than in any previous season that I remem- Der. Wagner's tumble from form to some came so suddenly it startled fan dom- He still gives flashes of his old time brilliancy, as veterans alawys do, when they are on the decline, but that his remarkable ability is on the wane is plain to everybody who has care fully studied his seasons work of 1910.
 BridweH and Tinker are blessed with baseball brains and know how to use them and that fortunate combination is sure to result in star players, but without it star ball players are not developed.
 Tinker has the reputation among ball players of being the brains of the Cubs, but with the Peerless Leader. Frank Chance, in charge of them, that would seem to be a rather far fetched conclusion But Joe Tinker knows as much baseball as Chance or any play CT in the country for that matter, and so too does Al BrifweH. The latter. than his Cub rival. and on that &C., count fails to get the full appreciation that is his due.
 There was never a mcre graceful player than Rridve1I. His every move is a dream and he makes plays so easily that his most difficult ones are made to appear ridicuIously simple, where some shortstops would be break ing their necks in going after puzzlfng hits. Bridwell gathers them in with out apparent effort.
 Tinker, too, has the same knack- but Is hardly up to Briawell for artis- tic grace
 Neither Tinker nor BridweH are heavy batters but they are timely hit ters. But Tinker can surely wslloD and it is for this reason that the Cubs have won so many games from the Giants. Tn the series just cloeed be- tween the Giants and Cubs, Tinker got three singles of Matty in one game. and BridweH came to the front in the last game of the series with a triple when the 4eses were full.
 And so that series showed that there Is little to choose between the two star shertstops. so it will be just to call it & tie between them as the best in their positions in the National leagu