Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-05-25
WHO is The BEST?
How the Third Sackers in the
Big Leagues Size Up by
Comparison.
LORD FAvoRITE OF MANY
Boston Americans Star on All
Around Value Said to Outrank
All His Competitors.

who is the best third baseman in
the big leagues?" is a question that is
being much debated at present, and
the debate in fact has been one of ex-
treme keenness ever since those past
masters Jim Collins and Lave Cross
| passed out of the fast company. Bill
Bradley of Cleveland. who would have
been a strong candidate, has fallen
away of late, especially in batting. and
Tommy Leach of Pittsburg. another
| corker on the farther sack, is now play
ing in the outfield The best man in
the third base game today is hard to
choose, and every candidate has parti-
sans who back him strongly; but, TAX
ing all things into consideration, Harry
Lord of the Boston Americans classes
as the top liner of the present day.
Arthur Devlin is counted by many
fans, especially New Workers, as the
leader He has been a wonder in his
day and is still a star. but Lord is the
stronger player as batsman and a
base runner, while there is little if
anything to choose between them in
fielding the position. Lord therefore
O0NA dAho DSh an Al bOb foAhC ~ a NCSA4s
and where outside of Devlin has he a
fit competitor?
Sweeney and Herzog of the Boston
Nationals cannot class anywhere near
Lord. He won't get any opposition in
his own town. Brooklyn, with Len
nox. shows remarkably strong play
er. who may take the topnotch laurels
in year or two. Lennox is a strong
batsman and plays third in a style
that is as perfect mec chemically as any
one can display.
Steinfeldt of the Chicago Cubs comes
just little short of Devlin in batting,
base running and territory covered.
Steiny is aging, but is still a wholly
competent man and far from the has
been division.
Eddie Grant Is Conner.
Lobert OF the Reds when in proper
form is good, husky third baseman.
Eddie Grant of the Quakers is steadi-
~ gaining in all departments. The
champion Pirates now use Bobby
Byrne on third. midget who does his
best, but is not to be considered
topnotcher. st. Louis has Barbeau
and Mowrey. OF these Barbeau is
even smaller than Byrne and hardly
as efficient Mowrey is an unfortunate
player who is growing old in big league
uniforms. yet without having really
fair chance TO show whether he is a
winner or dub
Devlin therefore may be rated as
the star of the National league, with
Grant a faint shade below him.
In the American league Baker of the
Athletics is a tearing. numbering bats
man, almost as frequent hitter as
Lord and more on the long range,
clean up pattern. He is not as fast on
the bases and has good deal to learn
about the fine work in fielding the posi-
ton.
Tannehill of the Chicago White Sox
is still a beautiful player when it
comes to fielding the base-the equal
of any one-but has always been a
weak hitter and is growing no younger.
Purtell, who bids fair TO cop the job
from fanny. Is a good hitter and fast
fielder, but quite a way below the Lord
or Devlin standard.
Bradley of Cleveland, once a wonder
on the base and with the stick, is
weak batsman now. He can still field
most brilliantly. but is outclassed in
the batting line. Perring his alter
nate. is good second rate player. not |
a star.
Moriarity of the Tigers is an improy-