The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-07-24
IN THE WORLD OF SPORT

for great outburst of cheers. He was
idolized.
Then came che inevitable. He started
to slip. few errors few failures
to hit when hits were needed soon
robbed him Of his fame, The general
verdict eventually was that Ball had
ceased to be a player OF major league
merit. The fans protested against his
presence. The management. ever heed !.
ing the cries Of the crowd. decided thar
he must go. Ball went, or rather was
sent away.
Last winter he was released TO the
Portland club.
Then fortune smiled upon the Cleve-
land club as she has seldom smiled
upon a club from this city. Ball didn't
want to play In Portland and wouldn't
He refused to report there.
Ball Comes Back.
Deprived of the money which would
have been Forthcoming If Ball went to
Portland, and seeing a possible chance
for sale to some other club, the Cleve-
land club finally consented to take him
back.
There was the turning point He was
taken back, but not for use here Thar
idea was scarcely considered. Ball was
sort Of outcast None of the major
league club wanted him. The minor
league clubs which desired his services
did not suit him.
That was just few short months
ago. On the market then he would not
have brought $1,000.
Now see the transformation Today
Neal Ball stands as one of the great
est inflelders In the American league.
Not single player on Ban Johnson's
circuit, not even excepting the sensa-
uional Eddie Collins, has played more
wonderful baseball than this same lit
tie Neal during the last month.
When a heroic feat is demanded
who does 1t? Neal Ball. Of course.
When the club is going bad and defeat
is staring II in the face. who frequent
ly steps In the breach and rapidly
turns the tide? Neal Ball. Who las
been one of the greatest factors in
advancing the Cleveland club from a
hopeless wreck, poor second division
club, to first division possibility with
prospects for third place? Neal Bali.
True, George Stovall, Joe Jackson,
Van Gregg, Ole Olson, Jack Graney
Joe Birmingham and others have done
yeoman work in the brilliant march
Of the team, which during the last
month has warmed the hearts of the
fans as they have not been warmed in
years, but Neal Ball was the missing
link between q mediocre outfit and a
sensationally performing club.
Enemies Become Friends.
Stepping into the shoes OF the great
Lajoies the mightiest slugger of them
all, Ball has transformed hordes of
enemies into friends. He has won the
admiration of not only the Cleveland
patrons Of the game, but Of the fans
on the entire American league CIR
cult.
Eminent critics have marveled at his
skill Great players have showered
praise upon him. The appreciation of
fellow workman means much more
than that OF mere onlooker.
If that much used and much abused
term comes back" might be used.
BAH must be termed the greatest
comeback" in the baseball world to-
day.
From weak, puny INTERIOR six or
seven WEEKS Oh the season of 1910I
Balls batting average was in the
neighborhood of .067-he has won the
crown of being one of Cleveland's
most persistent stickers, a pinch hit
ter above all, a man before whom OBJ
posing pitchers might well quail when
the crucial period is at hand.
Yes, Ball Is real comeback. Roast
ed and pestered at one time. he has
had the satisfaction Of hearing cheers
from those same threats which at one
time belched forth almost continual
disapprovaL
When the final toll Of the season is
taken, and If Ball insists on continu-
ing in that phenomenal strain which
has kept the crowd in continual tur-
moil since his re-entrance into the
game--his name must be recorded as
one of the greatest finds of the sea-
son, as one of the greatest infielders
of the season of 1911.
Y. M. c. A. League.
Tonight, If the weather permits.
games In the Y. M. C. Al. twilight
- IL