The Washington herald., 1911-02-06
CUNNINGHAM HIT BETTER
HERE THAN IN MINORS
Nationals Young Second Baseman Has Brilliant Future
Other Baseball Gossip and Comment.
BY WILLIAM PEET.

BY WILLIAM PEET.
There are two mighty strong reasons
why Bill Cunningham looks to he a fix
ture on the keystone sack OF the Ma
tionals this season.
First Of all Cunningham not only has
the natural ability. but he possesses the
utmost confidence in himself, and second
~, he batted better in the American
League than he did in the New England.
The official records show that Cunning
ham hi: for .276 with the New Bedford
team, and while with Washington three
weeks he pounded the ball for 80.
Manager McAlecr and the veterans on
the team could not say enough about
Cunninghams work when the team re-
turned to the Capital from its final whkl
around the circuit. They liked the
youngstcr for his enthusiasm, willing
ness to Learn and to take advice
Many a young ball player has killed
his chances when first joining major
league club by refusing to take advice.
assuming a know-it-au attitude. but not
SO with Cunningham. He had not been
With the team three days before George
McBride's coaching was made apparent.
and Mcbride is a mighty handy man to
have around when yOungster is trying
out on second base
Take this winter for instance. Cunning
ham started in to play basketball. but
was tipped off that he had best take no
chances. 1t was pointed out that a
broken leg, twisted ankle, or dfslocated
shoulder would injure his chances in
baseball next spring. Cunningham
promptly quit the indoor game. although
he had been granted permission to play
from Manager McAlecr.
The writer believes tha: Cunningham
IS one of the most promising young play
ers who ever pried his way into the big
show, and that before the 1911 season
closes CunninSham's name will be in
everybody's mouth. Just wait aud see
Kid EIberfeld during a recent tanning
bee was heard to remark: Il never real
ized until last fall what a great catcher
was Billy Sullivan of the White Sox.
In every one of the Athletics-All-Star
games when EilIy was behind the bat he
nipped all runners, including Eddie Col
Inns, at second base. where I was play
ing and say-the ball came noatinG up to
me as light as a feather. He did not
seem to put much speed behind his
throws, but the ball got there ahead of
the runner and reached me exactly in the
right spot
According to a report from Ioungs-
town. Manager McAleer has signed up
another pitcher for a trial this spring.
The name Of the latest phcnom is Schuer-
holz who is said to possess all the re-
auirements Of big Lacquer:
George Moriarity may be the next first
baseman Of the Detroit Tigers.
When HuGhey Jennings parted with
Tom Jones he did not rely entirely on
the youngsters. Ness and Gaymnor. to
fill the vacancy. He had an ace in the
hole in Moriarity. To the onlooker Jen-
ninEs could founder with great many
poorer first sackers than George Mory
has guarded that corner Of the diamond
before. He officiated there for the New
York Yankees while Chase was on the
hospital list. and plenty of wise ones
believed that he had no superlors, ex- |
cept the peerless Chase.
If the youngsters fall down and like |
wise if Moriarity fails to deliver. De-
troit can fall back upon Sam Crawford
There are a lot of first basemen more !
mediocre than Wahoo Sam |
selection of uniforms for the Speed Boys |
the coming season. The order was q |
duplicate of that of last season. the only |
difference being that this year the shirts |
worn by the Red Sox will have buttons |
instead of lacinss. The home uniforms
will be white. the stockings having the
red stripe or band about the calf of the
res; the travelling suits will be of gray.
n nd hc w
English Il.
President J. I. Taylor made the an
nouncen1ent, adding that the suits would
be ready for the boys to wear at the
opening Of the new ball park at Los
Angeles. Cal. March >. The regular
team will go down from Redondo Beach /
to play the game, leaving that night
for San Francisco. where it plays the |,
following day. l.
Fred Lake. former Boston club man
ager. recently appointed scout of the
-Browns. wires the Post-Dispatch, of st.
Louis. shat he intends to attend the
Amerid3n League schedule meeting in
Chicago February IA. when he will hold
the frs: conference with President
Hedges and Manager Wallace since be-
coming an employe of that firm.
At that meeting Hedges. Wallace and
lake will put their heads together and
devise plans and schemes for pulling
the Browns out Of a deep rut- Wallace
and Lake will also decide at that time
whether il is advisable for the latter
TO accompany the Browns on the training
Junket to Hot Springs
1t is probable that Lake will 20 to
work early. President Hedges believes
It would be . good idea to have the
scout accompany the Browns to Hot
Springs. where he would not only have
4 chance to see what Wallace has and
needs. but would also be in q position
TO see three other big league clubs in
training.
connie Mack can hardly blame Lefty
Russell for holding out for a larger SAL
ary. Any owner willing to pay $12,soo for
a player must expect that PLAYER to i'm
think quite as highly of him
self as does his purchase /
But to tell the truth. the chances are
large that Connie will cut . cropper over
this young man. although he Is said to
have about everything needed by a great
siahman. The prevailing opinion is that
whom Connie Mack has $12,5O0 worth of
in . minor Lacquer that gentle.
man must be little short Of . world
beater. II
Kp..A y Il .