The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-26

New York, May 25.-Manager Harry N'olverton, of the Highlanders. pulled . mighty fine stroke of business when he landed Catcher Street from the Washing ton club. Scoffers were inclined to dis agree with such a statement especially when the veteran backstop got away to a bad start this spring. But somehow, since Ed Sweeney came to terms with the Highland management change for the better has come over the only sea- soned receiver with the Graz Men up to the time of sweeney's appearance on the scene.
 Sweeney was just the tonic necessary for Streets greatest good Far be It from any intent to intimate that Street had loafed while the club was at his tender mercy. He was sick man all spring-so sick that he often should have been in bed when he was sporting the chest protector and the mitt. He had just commenced to find himself when Sweeney bobbed up. But probably he would not have found himself quickly, hut for his rival veterans return.
 They tell us that competition is tho soul of trade. The same holds good in athletic endcavor, especially SO in the Lfofessionai ranks Fortunate. indeed, is the big league manager who is well stocked with capable substitutes. Look at McGraW's Giants. He's out there be- cause his second string men are prae- fically as valuable as his recognized reg ulars And. fully appreciatlng that fact, can you for a minute imagine one of the veterans letting down at iota from his topmost speed? He dare not. His hest work alone stands between him and his job. Those substitutes are a prod the proper kind of prod-and one of the Giant reedlars would play with a broken leg if 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 as 1t were. Street is no longer young and your can not blame him for favoring himself as much as possible until he had rounded info tip-top physical form. But what q change when Sweeney hove In view, No longer any nursing of the sore pinion; no longer any sparing of the charley horse" The shadow of the younger man fell between "Gabby' and his sine cure.
 Street will help Sweeney every bit as much as Sweeney will benefit Street. They
 
 American league. Sweeney was the class of the circuit in 1910. There was no bet ter catcher anywhere in 1909 than Street Rheumatism put him out of commission ir i.up Last year he was almost him self again. Now he is travelling as well as at any time in his career. And with Sweeney at his coat tails all the time he'll have to keep on travelling
 sweeney and Street should easily prove the greatest catching combination in the big show. Each is strapping big fel- low. capable of catching practically the entire schedule of games if fortunate enough to escape injury. Street can hold any pitcher For years he teamed with Walter Johnson. who packs the fastest bali of the age. He has also had lots of experience with spitbali receiving. Sweeney is the only catcher In the coun- try who can properly handle Russell Ford's freak delivery. The pair worked together. since they were kids in the bushes" They are so familiar with each other that often this star battery works without signs.
 The season promises to develop a great fight In friendly rivalry between Street and Sweeney and the harder they tussls