The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-10-21
BY WILLIAM EVANS
lin Golfers WeekIy.)


Not caring to parade my opinion
on the judgment of the nine other
men who make up the American
League staff of umpires.
On five of the positions of the
mythical All-American team there was
unanimity of opinion. On four po-
sitions--first base, second base, catch
er, and shortstop-the judges of play
differed to a certain extent. Three
arbitrators looked on Oscar Stanage
of the Detroit club as the best re-
ceiver, while Edward Sweeney, John
Henry and Bill Carrigan had two UNI
pires each who espoused their cause.
First-base honors were divided be-
tween Johnny McInnis of the Ath-
1etics and Hal Chase of the Highland
ers Five of the arbitrators leaned
toward McInnis, while four favored
the peerless Chase.
Shortstop honors found "Heinie"
Wagner of the Red Sox, Jack Barry
of the Athletics, George Mcbride of
Washington, and Bobby Wallace of
the lowly ST. Louis Browns with their
champions. Four liked Wagner best,
three regarded Jack Barry as the lead
er, while two favored Mcbride and
Wallace Third base also had it's
champions. Five of the umpires could
see no one but Home Run" Baker,
while Larry Gardner and Eddie Fos-
ter had two each on their side. On
the position of pitcher, second base,
and the outfield, all the umpires
agreed on the same men.
When Connie Mack offers an opin-
ion on any subject pertaining to base
ball, you may rest assured it is worth
while. Anxious to know what short
stop Connie looked upon with most
favor, l asked him to whom he thought
the 1912 honors belonged.
1.-The American League is rich in
shortstops," said Connie. Barry,
Wallace, Mcbride, Bush, and Wagner
are brilliant performers in the veteran
class, while Weaver, Chapman and
Mcmillan appear to be youngsters OF
much promise. To Wagner, however,
belong the laurels of the present sea.
son. His work at shortstop has been
simply phenomenal. No one has been
a more prominent factor in the sue.
cess of the Boston club than he"
Great catchers are wonderful as
set to any ball team. In baseball it
is often related that no club ever won
a pennant unless it was rich in
catching material. A research of the
records will bear out this statement
to a large extent The wonderful
work of those two great young catch
ers, Henry and Ainsmits, ably assist
ed by Williams, was great aid tc
Clarke Griffith at Washington. Jake
Stahl will tell you that Carrigan, Ca
dy, Nunamaker and Thomas were OF
great aid to his club in the fight fol
the pennant.
Oscar Stanage, who was favored by
a majority for the stellar honors
among the backstops, is an idea
catcher. Endowed with a splendid
physique, he is an excellent mari
for the pitchers to shoot at. 1t il
surprising what part this plays ii
a pitchers control. His judgment O.
batters would be hard to improve up
on. He has a grand throwing arm
and is very fair hitter. His onl!
fault is a slowness of foot.
OF the star pitchers, Walter John
son is the master twirler. l hav'
never yet heard anyone closely con
nected with baseball deny the won
derful prowess of the Washington
speed merchant He has terrifi
speed, a good curve, and nice SLOW
ball.
Huey Jennings comment on John
son, in relation to the great Amo
Rusie, is of interest.
Most of the old-timers will tel
you that no one was ever as fast a
Rusie, but 1 will take issue with m
former comrades on the field. l be
lieve Walter Johnson is the specifies
pitcher that has ever stepped on tn
rubber. l have batted against Rust
when he was in his prime, but Amo
never showed me such stuff as l hav
seen Johnson dish up to my players
, You must remember that Rusie pitch
ed from a distance considerably clos
er to the plate than Johnson. whic
of course made him look faster"
Johnny McInnis of the Athletics
! wonder. No one but Connie Mac
would have tried to make a first base