The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-21
OFFICIAL FIGURES SHOW
JACKSON BEST BATTER
Milan Is Virtual Leader of Nationals According TO
Averages Compiled in Ban JohnSons
0ffce-Other Gossip

that particular day the ball happened 10
be falling safely.
NOW, the chances are that / could not
have begun to do as We'll behind the bat
as Robinson was doing; or. could have
FOOLED the batters as Mcmahon and HoT-
fer were fooling them. or have made the
catches that Brodie and Kelly and Keller
We're missing on that particular day; but
that didn't deter me in the least from
wishing l had any job on the team ex-
cept that OF shortstop.
AT first / thought this feeling OF dis
satisfaction was mine alone: that Robin
son was glad that he was catcher; that
Kelly was happy IN the outheld: that
McMahon wouldn't do anything but pitch
under any circumstances. Later I found
out my mistake. When we would go out
for early practice. II seemed 10 me as
II everybody, except myself. wanted to
play short.
Sometimes in these warming-up ses-
sions I would go into the box and hand
up few TO the batters. and at the same
time. perhaps. Bill' Hoffer would go
down TO short and handle a few ground
ers. Then, later, when we were resting,
Ike as not Hoffer would say;
a. Pretty soft for you down there,
Hugh. and maybe I would be thinking
to myself:
Gee. but I'd Ike to be in that old box
this afternoon when that big crowd comes
out 10 see our game with Boston. The
fans don't see anybody in the game ex-
cept the pitcher
Well. now, this condition Jennings talks
about obtains to-day as it has always
obtained Ty Cobb Is unhappy that he
didn't try 10 become a great pitcher.
Other great players are always warming
up" IN other positions than those in
which they have become famous.
'Hal" Chase. the greatest first baseman
that ever lived. is always and forever
pitching the bail. He never returns the
bail to another fielder without putting
something on il" In true pitchers style.
One day when the Yankees and Tigers
were playing in Detroit. Jennings men
began hitting Chesbr0 somewhat freely
with two men on the bases. Chase called
Chesbro over to first and went into the
box 10 pitch against Rossman and Craw-
ford After both Of these batters had
lifted easy flies, Chase went back 10 first
and Chesbro, returning 20 the box re-
tired "BnT" Coughlin. The game was
won by the Yankees.
But for an injury 10 one Of his sturdy
legs-reeeived when he was at Cornell
BILLY Eva..s would to-day have been a
bali player instead of an umpire. and
the fans would have been deprived OF
seeing in action Just about the best ar
bitrator that ever called a bah or a
strike.
The spirit Of restlessness is not con-
fined TO the different positions on the
diamond Eddie Collins. for instance.
although the most talked OF player In
the country to-day, declares he is sorry
he didn't take up the newspaper business
instead OF going into baseball. Poor
Eddie!
Frank Chance says that in the future
he will pick worlds series pitchers on
the form they have shown, and not their
reputation The Chicago manager thinks
he made a big mistake in the recent
games with the Athletics. Chance says
that the future he mentions will be next
season. But you can never tell
When Hal Chase. manager OF the
Yankees goes TO the Pacific coast. he
will coach the St Mary's College base
uatt AedAlt " A-4lc oAldSG II A-4DAAIB the
college boys few tricks OF the game, he
will also have his peppers skinned for
players who look as II they would do in
the big baseball tent. California turns
out some corking good ball players.
While in Chicago Bobby Wallace called
upon Ban Johnson
The act. TO many. is significant taken
accepting the position vacated by Jack
O'Connor. 1t suggests that Wallace is
up for inspection. examination, and
REORGANIZATION by the absolute leader
OF the American League--B. r. Johnson.
Very little happens in the American
League that Ban b. has not put hand
and seal TO. For example, il was after
comforting with Ban johnson that How
ell and O'Connor were asked 10 quit the
ST. Louis club. Apparently Ban B. is
about TO pass upon candidates for man
agership of the Browns, before they can |
be approved
Johnson is a wonderful force-for good |
in baseball. His opinion is deferred to /
In matters that, in the National League, /
would cause secession If Lynch attempt |
ed to intervene. Scarcely a move is made /
In the American League that has not his 4
sanction. He had many a bitter fight 1
before he finally convinced everybody. 1
even the hard-headed Old Roman Char 1
ley COmiskey, that he was a man to be /
deferred TO.
If Wallace does win the approval of /
he will come pretty close to /
being the proper goods as a manager
for the Browns.
Long-term contracts are becoming pop |
ular in baseball. The prosperity of the