The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1911-05-26

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broke into the major leagues, but tn,
record made by Sam when he frs
butted into fast company has go
something on the brilliant side OF tn,
famous Tyrus. Ty was 20 years ole
when he Joined Detroit in the latter
part OF the 1905 campaign and battet
.24O for forty.one games. He did not
become a regular till the season OF
1906 was well advanced. Crawford
was one year younger than the mighty
Ty, hit over 300 his first year. started
In as a regular and has been a reg
ular ever since. Batters OF
the Crawford type are the sluggers
that count In winning games. There
are some good old clouters in the big
league, but many of them are the
weakest sticksmiths on the team when
a full house stares them in the face.
There Is no man In the country who
Is more feared by pitchers with men
on bases than the smuggling tonsorial
artist from Wahoo, Neb., and further
no man playing ball today has a bet.
ter general average, year in and year
out, for driving In runs than Samuel.
AT the close of 1902 Crawford was
considered the most brilliant star on
the Cincinnati team and one of the
premier athletes OF the National
League. He was one OF the last to
succumb to the offers of Ban John
sons new organization, which offered
all colors of money for the cream of
the National. Detroit offered Sam an
amount that was far in excess of what
he drew from the Reds, so he natural
ly wandered into the automobile city.
In his first year as a Tiger Sam maui.
ed the American League pitchers to
all corners of the lot and pushed out
an average Of 1892, his highest figure
since becoming an American Lacquer.
Last year Sam was rumored TO be
having trouble with his legs and it
was reported that he was almost ready
Tor slide to the minors. Sans legs
did bother him a little in the 1910
campaign, but you can bet your last
nickel he's long way from that slid.
ing board. He should have a great
. NH'o oeoSoii, anu WutH IUe IlDal
averages are counted up, it will be
found that Sam will not be SO many
stops behind Cobb. 1t was rumored
recently that Cobb and "Wahoo Sam"
couldn't hit it nohow, down at the
Tigers southern training camp at
Monroe, La, and that President Navin
mad to make a special trip to the Dixie
town for the purpose of introducing
the Georgia Peach to the Wahoo bar.
Der. There is little doubt that there
was some truth to these tales, but the
Tiger team never was strong for har-
mony. Some scribes write that har-
mony Is the best player a team can
have, but the Tigers have won three
remnants in row, while half the Jun.
gleites were making faces at one an
other.
Crawford's fielding is not far be.
hind his batting. He is a sure catch
on a fly ball, covers ground, plays hits
nicely and has pretty good throwing
wing. Sam always was a center field
err until last season, when Jennings
switched Tyrus to center and appoint
ed Sam official guardian of the patch
in right field
"One of the most important PLAYS
Crawford ever figured in was at the
close of the 1907 season, when Detroit
and the Athletics were fighting it out
FOR the title. 1t wasn't exactly what
might be called a play, either, and
took place in the famous Thinning 9
to tie game between these two
Teams. 1t was one of the closing in
nings that Harry Davis punched a line
drive to center 1t went past Craw-
ford into the centerfield crowd for a
double. Crawford came tearing in
and insisted policeman prevented
MIN from making the catch. Silk,
OLaughlin sustained Crawford and
was nearly mobbed by the crowd.
followed with a long single,
which would have won the game and
The pennant, had it not been for
Crawford's kick.
Sam is happily married, and has
laughter 4 years of age. He makes
lis permanent home in Detroit, but
occasionally takes a trip to see the
I'D boys in Wahoo. He takes things
Easy in winter, as he deserves rest
lfter hard season. With few excep-
ions he is very popular with his fell
NV Dlayaren