The Washington times., 1912-05-19
STUFFY M'INNISIS
BEST FIRST SACKER
Oucasses Hal Chase and Jake Daubert in Performance
at Initial Station" "Stuffy' Plays Deep Field-ls
Ex-Shortstop.
BY JAMES C. ISAMINGER.

PHILADELPHIA, May l9.-It will not
do we'll for America to crown either
Chase or Daubert the Emperor Of first
basemen. Surely one "Stuffy' McInnis
cannot be overlooked in the premises
Phil beetles will tell you that they
wouldn't give the Gloucester Goldsmith
for either OF these chaps.
McInnis is far more valuable play
er than Chase. and has the box scores
to prove it. For one thing, MCInnis is
harder hitter than the Highlander
star. There is not much difference in
the fielding. Chase. perhaps, will make
more brilliant plays in season than
his younger rival. but for steady. sure
and conscientious work. game in and
game out, there is nobody who has
anything on the New England boy
''Stuffy" has this advantage over
Chase in that he Is more adaptive to
to the last. McInnis impresses a spec
tator as playing more for the love OF
the, game than the fortnig htly check
Chase, brilliant as he is, sometimes
winning he looks like the best player
in the country. but as soon as they
slump Chase becomes morose and his
game suffers He is not q leader. but
essentially a follower
His habit of leaving his team in the
lurch once or twice a season further
reduces his value to the club; so, when
all these points are considered, he is
nearly so desirable a player as the
able. earnest, and ambitious McInnis.
Youngest First Baseman.
Chase today isn't playing as good ball
AS he was two years ago. McInnis is
coming. 1t must be remembered that
"Stuffy" Is the youngest of the good
first basemen. He did not take the post
until the season of 1911 was we'll under
way. Davis. Is slowing up, and Mack
needed more agile player at first base.
1t happened that Mack was without
reserve first baseman. He had either to
buy a new man or convert one of his
other players into. first baseman.
Mack Is a master in shifting a player
from one position to another and max
ing a star out of him. He made a Won
derful center fielder out of "Rube" Old
ring. an ordinary infielder. He made
the greatest second sacker in the game
out of Eddie Collins, who failed as
shortstop and right fielder. He added
years to Dan Murphy's career by
switching him from second base to right
field, and his tinkering with McInnis
brought just as good results. McInnis,
a utility shortstop and third basemdn.
in few weeks at first because the talk
of baseball
He played a wonderful game at the
bag, and with his batting ability gave
the team another live wire that enabled
1t to collar Detroit and win the cham
pionship. Unfortunately, near the end
of the season, Mclnnis sustained
broken bone in his right hand and was
unable to take part in the world series,
although in the ninth inning of the last
game, with two out, 'Stutfy" went to
the sack and had the honor of making
the final putout in baseball's grand
prize,
McInnis is a natural hitter. In 1875
games last season he batted. .32l better
than any other first baseman either IN
the American or National Leagues.
That McInnis Is no One-season bloomer
is revealed by his heavy clubbing this
year. Up to date he is batting above
the 400 mark, being the best hitting
performer of the worlds champions so
far this season.
Plays Deep Field.
"Stufty," an cx-shortstop. covers a
vile range of ground at first base 1t
is hard for a batsman to shoot a hit
between him and Collins The clever
pair work together perfectly. McInnes
PLAYS a very deep field and is clever IN
topping scorching ground hits along
the foul line These stops are boon
10 a team, Cor they cut Oft doubles or
triples.
Although shorter than most first base
lEeI., 'Stuny" has Il pair of rubber
feet. and can get high In the air for
wild throws. Digging throws out of the
ground comes as naturally TO him az
Stopping grounderJ when he played
McInncs will be twenty-five years Old
neXt september Today he Is one of the
most valuable PLAYERS in America, and
constantly impT owing. He is one Of
MaCks most valued Co-strategists. He
WAS Dubbed "Sutty' bv his mates he
cause, while utility inhelder. he called"