The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-04-23
HOPES to Pilot Zion
INTO Bigger League
Owner Cooley of Salt Lake Union Team
Has Been in Organized Ball
~ Years.

Cooley played almost continuously
right upfto close to the end of last sea-
son. He sprained his ankle sliding at
Denver and he has PLAYED little since.
In 1908 Cooley was the leading first
baseman in the circuit, despite his own
the 300 mark most of the time.
Believes in Salt Lake.
Cooley says that he likes the looks of
Salt Lake City-was fascinated with
the town the first time he ever saw it
ard intends to make it his home the
rest of his days. Most of the money
he obtained from the sale of his Topeka
team he has invested in the Salt Lake
franchise of the Union league, and he
believes that his investment is wise
one. His ambition is to break into the
Western or the Coast league with Salt
Lake City, and there are many who be-
lieve his hope will be realized soon.
Seven years in organized baseball Is the
record of Cliff Blankenshlp who will run
Salt Lakes team In the Union association
for the season OF 1911. Almost two of
these seven years were passed In the big
leagues.
Blankenship twice has been with the
outlaws, but each time has been rein
stated. The last time II cost him $500
Coast league, with the Seattle team Of
which he was playing. when 1t went back
under protection took all It's players
with 1t.
Walter Johnson. the Nationals star
twirler, holding the world 8 season strike
out record (3l3). is only 81 years old and
may be seen in big brush company again
Besides being shrewd team runner. quick
TO discern and take advantage OF the
weaknesses of his opponents, Blapken-
ship Is q good backstop. having whip
nd hof fc oh in he mil
the time. Although his batting average
while he was with the majors was not
so high. his fielding was excellent. In
1907 when he was with tile Washington
club, he led the American league catch
ers in fielding. with a percentage of 99l
In twenty-five games he got eighty seven
putouts. twenty-five assists. made only
one error and had no passed balls. Meth
er is there any record of bases stolen
on him.
Is Southerner.
Blankenship was born at Columbus, Ga.
thirty-one years ago. For three years
ne ran an independent team at Columbus
backstop for Atlanta in the Southern
league. In 1908 he went 10 Toledo in the
American association as one of the guard
ians OF the outer garden
In 1904 Blankenship became an outlaw.
jumping to Seattle in the Coast league.
but when the league went back under
protection few months later II took all
its players with It, In 1905 Blankenship
went to Cincinnati as guardian of the
initial sack. Towards the end OF the sea-
son he was sold back to Seattle. From
there he went to the Nationals. for whom
he did SO much when he discovered the
former Idaho star In 1908 Blank" as
lie popularity is known. managed the
Fresno, Cal, club. an outlaw. and this
cost him 5000 for reinstatement. In 1909
he went back TO Washington as catcher,
and in 1910 he managed the Tacoma club
in the Northwestern league. from which
he came to Salt Lake City.
Cooley relies implicitly in Bankenship
to run the team. Blank. while being
firm with his men. is kind and is popu-
lar with the players. The fans believe
that Blankenship will bring the rag TO
Salt Lake City.