The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-05-28
Last Stationers in Big Leagues
All Stack Up Well With
the Best.
DO HoNoRS GO TO LORD?
MANY FANS MAKE THE ASSER.
TON THAT BOSTON AMERICAN
STAR IS BEST iNFlELDER IN
THE COUNTRY.

"Who is tho 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-
IRENE 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 outfeld. 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 star. but Lord is the
stronger player as a batsman and a
base runner, while there is little II
anything to choose between them In
fielding the position. Lord therefore
outranks Devlin in net value to team,
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 a remarkably strong play
err, who may take the topnotch laurels
in a year or two. Lennox is strong
batsman and plays third in style
that is as perfect mechanically as any
one can display.
SteinfeIdt of the Chicago Cubs comes
just little short Of Devlin in batting.
base running and territory covered.
Steiny is aging, but is still wholly
competent man and far from the has
been division.
form is a good, husky third baseman.
Eddie Grant Of the Quakers is steadi-
ly gaining In all departments. The
champion Pirates now use Bobby
Byrne on third. a midget who does his
best, but Is not to be considered a
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
winner or dub.
Devlin therefore may be rated as
the star Of the National league, with
Grant faint shade below him.
In the American league Baker of the
Athletics is tearing, numbering bats.
! man, almost as frequent 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 posi-.
| ton.
! Tannehill Of the Chicago White Sox
| Is still beautiful player when 1t
comes to fielding the base-the equal
| of any one-but has always been
weak hitter and is growing no younger
Purtell, who bids fair to cop the job
from fanny, Is good hitter and fast
fielder, but quite a way below the Lord
or DevIin standard.
Bradley Of Cleveland, once wonder
| on the base 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.
! Moriarity of the Tigers is an improv
ing player, a good batsman, fast run
ner--a man who will be up near the
top within another years gain in skill
| Austin Of New York is fairly good
young performer. but certainly cannot
be rated as leading star, either as q
| batter or a fielder.
! Wallace Of st. Louis is growing ole
and slowing up, hence can hardly b.
counted as a competitor. Conroy Of
Washington is a veteran. fair class
performer. but no longer among thu
headliners.
| 1t looks like Lord for the leading
honors. all right. and he Is quite hkel,
| to hold them through the season.
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