The Washington herald., 1911-01-08
BY GEORGE r. DEWITT,

Editor Who's Who in Baseball.
Copyright. 1911. BY National Weekly Letter Bureau
There has never been a percentage
of leading first baseman, in any year
since 1871, that fell below .961, which Is
the record of the first leader-WeSt FtS-
Ter, in 1871. Since 1857. there has not
been a leaders record below $50
In no other position on the field has
this high average percentage been main
tanned: and none but pitchers have ever
had i higher fielding percentage in any
position than the .9a5 that poor old
Dan McGann made in 1906.
This noticeable fact has caused it to
be said 10y many that first base is. rela-
lively. one of the easiest to field. This
opinion is somewhat strengthened by
the fact that the record number of
chances accepted at first base. 1.ss6. by
'JigSs Donahue, in 1907. is almost
amazing in number when compared with
the record chances accepted in other po-
sitions;. The highest for second baSemen
are the 9SS that Iajoie accepted in 1905;
for third basemen. only COL. by Collins,
in 1899. in Boston: of shortstops. go. by
Alien, of the Philadelphias, in 1Sa2, and
of felders. only 424. by Slagie, with
Washington. in 1899.
Dan McGann at First.
That higher record for fielding reck-
oned by the percentage of chances C
cepted. should come to a player who is
offered more chances by far than any
other would seem to indicate that the
position is one of less difficulty to field
than the others. 1t is true that the posi-
ton is much more spectacular and the
work done at first is often apparently
more brilliant, and also that more men
die going to first than to the othc-
bases: and all of this makes the posi-
tion Il better gallery or grand stand"
position than some of the other places.
Bac TX of this is the often-eXpressed opin-
ion of managers that it is far easier to
get good first basemen than it is to fill
second or third satisfactorily.
The first place among first basemen in
point of the greatest number of times
LED is occupied by Dan McGann. For
seven years he was foremost first-sackcr
of the National League, beginning in
l.OO and until Tenney took that place
in 1905. McGann led, except in 1907 when
Bransfield held first place.
McGann's high fielding record of 9o5.
made in 1906. stands as the high record,
although 1894 was made by Tebeau in
1897, by Jiggs Donahue in 1907. and again
1909.
AnsOn'a Six Years.
Next to McGann in number of times
led comes Anson, with six leads to mis-
credit, and those years are widely sep
arated over a period of sixteen years.
Anson led in 1879. 1880 1881. 1883. 1889. and
last in 1894. 1t is not always remembered
that Anson began as a third baseman
and led in that position with the Rock
ford team in 1871 and again with Chicago
in 1877. He played third with the Ath-
letics in 49,, short with that team il
1873. first in 1874 and 1870, and third for
Chicago in 1876, 1877, and most of 1878 in
the outfield. After that he played per-
manently at first. This, with his great
batting for more than twenty-three
Years and his leading fielding, is an un-.
equaled display of endurance, versatility,
and excellence.
Out of the twenty-nine men who have
led first base in fielding in both leagues
since 1871, eighteen have batted over 800
per cent. Anson has twenty years to his
credit over 800; James O'Rourke, who led
with Boston in 1874, batted that figure thir-
teen times: Dennis Brouthers, who led
with Buffalo in 1882, batted 1t fifteen
times: big Roger Connor, who led with
THiidueiplld IN IoSl, Odtteu oScf .ooo iOT
twelve years; Tenny, who led with the
New York Nationals in 1908 and who
revolutionized the play at first, did it six
times; Chance, the leader of the National
League first basemen in 1909, has batted
over 800 five times: John Anderson. who
led American League first basemen in
1900 and LuI with Milwaukee and
again with ST. Louis in 1903 batted it four
times: Pat Tebeau. who led in 1885, 1886,
and 1887, batted it four times; kitty
Bransfield. who led National League first
basemen in 1902. did 1t twiceDDennis Nc
Gam, who led seven times, batted It
twice; John F. Morrill,, who led with Bos-
ton in 1888, batted 1t twice: w. Brown.
with Louisville in 1893; George Carey,
with Washington in 1902, and J. K. Virtue.
with Cleveland in 1880. have batted IL
once each. Right behind these leaders
come such big first basemen as Jake"
with thirteen times; Collins with
five times, and Chase with one such rec
ord. The batting strength Of this de-
partment is surprisingly high when COM
pared with other positions. and that is
q side that has not always received proper
weight when the relative values Of con-
tributions have been considered.
CoIaislkey 1t First.
For length Of service at first base. few
can excel that Of Charles IA.
from the time when, In l9n.
he began at fir1t base With the Dubuque
team. with tho st. Louis Browns until
lssa when he went with the Chicaso.
Players. League; tlen with g. Louis
Browns In NJ: With CincinnaH Redes IN
l2e. ~ enA 11o(ss q 106, ~ ena l05
sith y Pad an1 Anal1y WITH ~ cht-
q ~ = s - :, 3 !.