Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-08-27
LEFT HAND PITCHERS RARE
OF All in Big Leagues Less Than q
Dozen Are southpsws.
FUCKER MOST POWERFUL ONE
Connie Mack Has Three of Best on Hts
staff-PIank H. Wearing Out and
Growing old, but stan Able
to Puzzle Good Batsmen.

NEW YORK. Aug 26.-Less than dozen
first-class left handed pitchers are drawing
salaries in the big major base ball leagues
As a matter Of record good southpaws al
ways have been scarce, no matter how far
back you may go in the history Of the ma
tional game. There are numerous left
handed throwers and batsmen. but com
paratively few boxmen.
Napoleon Rucker Of the Brooklyns is
generally considered the best modern left
handed curve artist. II Rucker was mem
Der Of the Giants, Cubs, Philadelphia,
Athletics or Detroits he would probably
win as many games as the best of the right
handlers. But handicapped by an inferior
team. he is compelled to plod along doiHg
his best against discouraging odds and los
ing games that under other circumstances
should be recorded victories.
Rucker has everything that makes a star
pitcher. speed. change Of pace, sharp curves.
perfect control and a wise head. He lie
pitching wonderful ball this year and is
envied by all OF the rival club owners
Every team in the National league fears
him and whenever he takes his place on
the mound Brooklyn's chances for victory
are increased twofold. Because Of the iron
clad agreement that governs organized base
ball Rucker Ia doomed to devote his useful
ness to the Brooklyn club until he becomes
ineffective. although there is no doubt that
some club owners would jump at the chance
TO buy his release for at least $4,000 II
President Ebbets would sell at that figure.
McGraw has veteran left handler in
George wiltse. and a coming southpaw in
Rube Marquard. wiltse is pitching superby
this summer, but he is not so strong as
Rucker In physical makeup and lie not able
90 accomplish the results that placed him
in the front rank several years ago Mar
guard is developing effectiveness because
OF constant work and in the opinion Of
many base ball sharps ne will rival some Of
the best left handlers OF former years.
Slim sallee Of the st. Louis Cardinals has
been groomed by Roger Bresnahan this
year with remarkable success and Roger
insists that the lanky finger will soon be a
star. The Pittsburgs have q good south
paw in Leifield. while Bill Burns. discarded
by several big teame has suddenly dis
played skill with Dooin's Quakers. Another
effective left handler in the National league
Is Mattern OF the Bostons, whose services
may be secured by the Giants some fine
day and then he will have an opportunity to
show his true worth.
J Gregg f. Sensational.
In the American league good left-handers
are even more scarce than in the Lynch
circuit. The most sensational winner this
year is vean Gregg of the Clevelands. He
was secured in California last winter and
arrived in the Forest City an unknown
quantity. But once he received a fair
chance to display his wares Gregg made
} good with a vengeance. He IL the main
stay OF the Clevelands. and to his phe-
nomenal pitching the teams rapid climb
is due. Gregg is only youngster, but he
pitches like a veteran and has a brilliant
future.
Connie Mack has three left-handers--
. Plank Krause and Russell The first
named made a name for himself several
years ago. He has not yet reached the
end of the rope by any means and has
pitched some great games this year, but
he Is getting along in years and cannot
stand the amount of work that was asked
! of him whes he was the star of the league
Krause was a newcomer in 1909 and set
! the base ball world on fire with his won
derful achievements. But II was evident
that he was overworked that season. for
last year he was practically useless. He
has shown flashes Of his old form during
the present campaign Of the Athletics. but
he is not the same. Russell who was
bought from Baltimore for $4,000 last year,
has been a failure 80 far. but Mack still
|
TO the required standard
Big Jim Vaughn of the Highlanders Is a
puzzle. He is strong enough to be a horse
, for work, and he possesses a delivery that
looks unbeatable. Yet his work is of the
In and out variety and continually keeps
the club guessing. If Vaughn would settle
down to real hard grueling work it is be-
. lieved that he would easily earn the title
of the American leagues champion south
paw, but for some unknown reason he has
failed to deliver the goods this year and
liz one of the most cratic members of
: Chases pitching staff
Conceding that all of these left-handers
have merit old-tlmers refuse to believe
. that any Of them excel the celebrated Rube
Waddell when the latter allowed himself
to be led around BY the nose by Connie
Mack. For the Athletics Waddeu pitched
: peerless base ball for several seasons. A
disturber and rule breaker, under other
. managers the Rube was as meek as a lamb
under Mack. and without word of com
: plant he did an enormous amount OF work
: Though painfully eccentric Waddell showed
! headwork and skill. He held the leagues
= strikeout record for a single season until
> II was topped by Walter johnson of the
! Washingtons. His control was especially
good and he had the number of practically
% every batsman who faced him
!, Tom Ramsey OF the old Louisvilles was
another left-handed world beater. For
. many years he was rated as the king pin
: and his ability earned a big salary until
he fell by the wayside because of his
. habits. Kilroy of the Baltimore American
association team of more than twenty
= years ago was wonder. The Bostons In
{ the old days had corker in Kid Madden
l. Then Pittsburg boasted of ED Norris and
e Detroit won worlds championship chiefly
4 through the southpaw work of Lady Bald
e win.
l. Probably the first really great left
y handler in the National league was Charley
I Burlington, who helped Boston 10 win a
e pennant In 1883. Burlington had drop bali
that haffled the heaviest slugKers He
used II necessarily, together with curves.
that finally wore out his pitching arm.
But as veterans remembered him, he was
4 one Of the greatest pitchers that ever wore
toe plate. st. Louis. in Won der Ahe's
A reign had a star In Theodore Breitenstein.
J. a little sorrel topped fellow who never
n knew when he had enough With great
e speed and beautiful control Breitenstein
It did splendid work. and finally Won der Abe
> sold him 20 Cincinnati for $4,000 That