The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-08
Is Rube WaddeII
Greatest SouthpaW
Gregg, Msrquard, Krause and
Plank All Favored Over
Eccentric TWirler

RUDE Waddell, who has passed from
the major league ranks, probably II,
his day was one Of the greatest left
handed pitchers the game has ever
known. There are to-day several pitch
ers in the American and National Lea
que who show promise of climbing to
the throne which the erratic RUDE
once occupied. Star southpaw box
men, however, are few in comparison
to the number of men earning salar-
les pitching professional ball.
New York city can lay claim to four
sterling performers, Rucker of the
Superbas, Vanguard and. Wiltse of the
Giants and Jim Vaughn of the Yam
KEGS. Rucker the veteran of the quar-
tette is generally considered the best
port-sided curver, and it is a certain
ty that were he with the Giants, Cubs,
Athletics or Tigers he would win as
many games as the best of the right
handlers. AS a pitcher Rucker has eV-
erything that goes to make star
speed change of pace, sharp curves,
a level head and perfect control.
Manager John J. McGraw is excep-
tionally lucky to claim two excellent
left-handers, Hooks Wiltse, and the
$11, 900 person, Marquard. Wise has
not the physical makeup of Rucker
but, nevertheless, he has stood the
strain this year and pitched good pail
Marquard has made the hit of the sea-
son by his wonderful pitching. If the
Giants win the pennant it will be
partly due to his great box work. This
season McGraw has used Marquard a
lot. 1t appears that the more work
RUDE gets the better ball he pitches.
Another good pitcher of this class is
Slim Sallee of the ST, Louis Cardinals
Early in the season, when the Car
dinals were pennant factors, Sallee
was pitching the best ball of his ca
reer, according to Bresnahan. Lately,
however. he has been getting his
bumps When he is going right bat
tiers find Sallee one of the most puz-
zling pitchers to bat safely. Sallee
not only has curves but speed ana
control as well.
Other good left-handers in the pa
rent organization are Lefty Leifield
of Pittsburg. Burns and Humphrles
of Philadelphia. Tyler. Mattern and
McTigue of Boston and l.. Lauder
milk OF st. Louis.
The American League has less first
class left-handers than the National
League. Connie Mack of the Athlet-
les probably is better fortified in this
respect than the others. He has four
pitchers of this class, these being
Plank, Krause Russell and Danforth
Cleveland with Vean Gregg boasts one
of the pitching sensations of the sea
son. Gregg is the star of Stovalls
pitching ranks and has helped to make
the team a third place possibility.
With few more like him Stovall in
all probability should give the Ath-
letics and Tigers a close fight. Once
the Cleveland team gets to batting
there is no stopping it. Gregg is on
ly youngster, but he pitches like a
great future is predicted
for him. le.scs
In Vaughn the Yankees have a. good
pitcher, but the big Texas southpaM
has shown far below his real form this
year. He is pitching better ball now,
however, than he was a few weeks
ago. Vaughn's physical proportions
should allow him to do plenty of work.
This year his pitching has been of an
n-and-out character. He has a puz-
ling delivery and many think that
# he got down to real hard work he
would be on a level with Gregg and
1ther star bexmen.
Plank of the Athletics has been of
much use to the worlds champions
his year. He has seen a number OF
years of service. but still has many
he Mack men in 1909. In that year
lie created as big sensation as
Gregg has this year Mack is said |
o have overworked him that year |
Since then Krause has not been the |
ame. During the present campaign !
lie has occasionally shown signs of
lis old-time form. Russell. rated a
rood man, has been a failure, but |
Jack still clings to the belief that the
pitcher will yet have his day. Mack
'robably has in mind the Mar0uard
ase. Danforth, another youngster,
8 expected to prove a valuable addi-