The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-04-14

CHASE STANDS ALONE.
None can deny that Chase in his art
stands second only to the sensational
Cobb. In many respects the former
leader Of the Yankees is superior to even
Ty. Chase is the greatest first baseman
Of baseball history. He Is the greatest
fielder and the quickest thinker. He Is
wonderfully fast on the bases. He Is
able 70 break away quickly. and pos
sesses that keen intuition Of just when
to start so as 20 get the break on the
opposing battery Rarely is he caught
stealing. and he pliers third more often
than any rival Before he sets forth on
q purloin trip Chase Is absolutely sure
that he holds the winning advantage.
Chase Is a good hItter-a wonderful bat
ter. In fact-and one OF the best men
before the public when II comes to pro-
tecting the runner. Hal is almost In
fallible on the batting end Of squeeze"
play.
Just one thing heretofore has stood be-
tween this wonderful player and the all
around championships fault. you might
call It. but II has more the appearance
OF a virtue. Hal has been handicapped
by his charming personality. He has
shown II in every movement on the field
and IN his every attitude Of base steal
ing. He has always slid head frst. not
because he cannot progress as cleveriy
and quickly with the spikes In front Of
him, but through fear OF injurins an
opponent.
In his big league career Chase has
never cut down q player. In this respect
he has always been fair to a fault against
himself Cobb. on the other hand. ex-
acts the last ounce Of flesh. He will not
relinquish one inch Of his right TO base
lines. even II the career Of an opponent
Is the price OF a stolen base or an extra
base hit.
Such genuine earnestness as Cobb dis
plays might have placed Chase on a par
with the Georgian the past several years
Hal has never been fired with the lust
for glory that prompts Ty to climb up
and up, even at the expense OF others
Indeed. the peerless first baseman Of the
H1litoppers has always looked upon the
national pastime lightly.
New Chase This spring.
Hal seems a new Chase this spring. He
stiH is boyish and light-hearted in his
actions both on and on the field But
there is a seriousness in his playing man
ner never before evidenced. He has as
EIred wolverton Of his heartiest cooper
alton He declares himself delighted to
have been relieved OF the responsibilities
Of management. For the first time he
displays deep interest IN his colleagues
Of the infieId and coaches them and
schools them in his little mannerisms so
as to effect the best possible working
harmony.
I've arrived at the conclusion" said
Chase the other day, that IL Is high
time for me to do something with myself.
There Is no reason that can see why
any one should have anything on me
as a ball player. I've always given the
ether fellows a shade the better OF II.
but that got me nothing. Now I'm going
out to see just what can do.
II have always played my hardest.
but / do NOT think 1t was my best did
not look upon the game seriously enough.
I have given my word to Wolverton that
IL do not show New York this year the
real thing in first-sacking, then I'm ready
to step down and out. And. you know,
I'm no millionaire. need the money
Just as much as the next one"