Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-05-26
"Gabby" Street Becomes Some Catcher
BY W. j. MACBETH.

NEW YORK. May S.-Manager Harry
wolverton. Of the Hignlanders. pulled
a mighty fine stroke Of business. when
he landed catcher Street flom the Wash
ington club. Scoffers were inclined 70
cia.ly when the veteran backstop go,
away TO a bad start mis- spring. But,
somehow. since Ed Sweeney came TO
terms with the Highland MANAGEMENT a
change for the better has come over
the only seasoned receiver with the Crag
men up 10 the time Of sweeney's appear
anee on the scene.
Sweeney was Just the tonic necessary
for Streets greatest good Far be Il
from any intent to intimate that Street
had loafed. while the club was at his
tender mercy. He was y sick man all
spring-so sick that he often should have
been In bed. when be was sporting the
chest protector and the mitt. He had
just commenced 10 find himself. when
Sweeney bodied up. But probably he
would not have found hImsElf quickly.
but for his rival veterans return.
They tell US that competition is the
soul OF trade. The same holds good in
athletic endeavor, especially so in the
professional ranks. Fortunate indeed, 10
the big league manager. who is well
stocked with capable substitutes Look
at McGraws Giants. He's out there be-
cause his secondstring men are practi-
eally as valuable as his recognized regu-
lara AaA ca. anv.-.oEn.E,,.. 49,. a..
can you for a minute imagine one Of
the veterans letting down an lota from
his topmost speed? He dare not His
best work alone stands between him and
his job. Those substitutes are a prod
the proper kind OF a prod-and one Of
the Giant regulars would play with a
broken leg II he could. rather than give
ground TO his understudy.
Thus 1t is with "Gabby'' Street. Until
Sweeney came he had no worries. he
was the main guy" the whole noise.
The world was at his feet an II were
Street is no longer young and you can.
not blame him for favoring himself as
much as possible until he had rounded
into tip-top physical form. But what .
change when Sweeney hove In view! No
longer any nursing Of the sore plnion;
no longer any sparing of the charley
horse" The shadow Of the younger
man fell between "Gabby" and his
sinecure.
Street win heIp Sweeney every bit 40
much as Sweeney will benefit Street.
They are two Of the finest caich6t In
the American league. Sweeney wsS the
class Of the circuit in 1910. There was
no better catcher anywhere In 1909 than
Street. Rheumatism put him out OF
commission In 1910. Last year he was al
most himself again. Now he Is travelling
as well as at any time in his career.
And with Sweeney at his coat tails all
the time hen have to keep on travel.
ing.
Sweeney and Street should easily prove
tho greatest catching combination In the
big show. Each is a strapping big fell
low capable OF catching practically the
enough to escape injury. Street can hold
any pitcher. For years he. teamed with
Walter johnson. who packs the fastest
ball OF the age. He has also had lots OF
experience with spitball receiving.
Sweeney is the only catcher In the
country who can properly handle Rus
sell Ford's freak delivery. The pair
worked together. since they were kids
In the bushes" They are 90 familier
with each other that often this star
battery works without signs.
The season promises TO develop great
fight in friendly rivalry between street
and Sweeney and the harder they tussle
the better off will they and the club