Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-10
'STARS ARE THE BACKBONE
OF INTEREST IN BALL CLUBS
But One Team in the American League
Without Luminary, and It Is IMAM,
nously Picked for Last Place.

not. conhne himself to any. particular
stunt. Tyrus is versatile He does things
that compel publicity. 1t is impossible to
get away from them or from the Orietna-
tor. He springs something at the psyche
logical moment at all times. Since the
balmy days Of Theodore Roosevelt the
star OF the Detroit team has proven him.
self by far the greatest publicity man In
forty-six states united.
This constant advertisement which
Cobb secures, and which he backs up by
spectacular feats. easily draws more peo-
pie to the park than the work OF any
other player. Tyrus pulled of one stunt
last spring which showed his genius
I The team was In Monroe. Ty Joined
late. Little publicity preceded his COM
Ing; for Tyrus had signed his contract
something which always brings publicity.
Ty logged around the race track at Mon
roe. La. where the team was training,
batted little, fielded little. but paid
more attention to running than fielding
or batting.
The team started north, and in practice
Hughie Jennings ordered his men to run
from the plate to first. He wanted to
instruct some Of the youngsters In get
ting quick start and he also used the
stunt in practicing bunting.
While this was going on some one sus.
gested that the players be timed In going
from the plate to first. This was arrang-
ed. A comparison Of figures showed the
startling. fact that at least four men on
the team were getting to first faster than
Tyrus..
Another trial was ordered and Cobb
was closely watched. The Georgian was
putting forth his best effort In sprinting
from the plate to first, but again four
men beat his time.
A third trial showed Cobb unable to
beat his previous efforts. What was the
the conditions-Cobb was losing his speed:
he could no longer sprint as he did in
other years; he was going back.
Big sensation! Stories spread over the
entire country that Cobb's star was set
liant flashes Of speed and his legs were
giving way. The stories continued and
they were lacking '3O'' on Tvs career.
Cobb said nothing. He took it all calm
y and s. silently: He , did not try to de;
for Tyrus. and It was the only weak spot
in the entire plot, but the fellows who
were spreading the rumors could not be
deferred; they were certain.
A few days before the training trip
ended Ty announced that he would show
as much speed as he ever showed In the
afternoon game. Going into details
Cobb explained that he thought the mat
ter Of training over during the. winter
months and decided on an original way to
increase his speed. He had pair OF
heavy shoes made. He also adjusted
strips Of metal to the soles OF the shoes.
adding nicely to the weight. Cobb cal
culated that the weight would strengthen
the muscles Of his legs. Training with
those heavy shoes should harden the
muscles and would better equip him for
the playing season. After accustoming
himself to the weight Cobb would substi-
tute light shoes and. according to his
way of figuring, he would be able to run
faster than before.
The exhibition that Cobb gave that at
ternoon will long be remembered. He
pulled or nearly a dozen different stunts
on the bases. He ran like q scared deer.
He caused general upsets on the infield.
Cobb was himself again. as brilliant
performer on the base paths as ever and
he looked even better that afternoon
after the blanket had been removed
his various feats on the bases can be
taken as proof that he did not 20 back
nor slow up in the least.
Outside Of securing an immense amount
of publicity out of the stunt. Tyrus re-
ceived invaluable training. Had he an
nounced his plan of procedure in pre-
pairing himself for the season he would
not have received half the publicity that
he got by cloaking 1t in mystery.
Detroit does not depend on Cobb and
jennings alone Sam Crawford has always
attracted attention. The big fellow from
Wahoo. Neb., can slug ball as hard a.
any player in Bans league. His healthy
wallOps are good to look at. and II he
keeps his speed lever in the notch
where II rested In 1911 Samuel will have
other pleasing attributes besides those Of
smashing the ball to the far corners Of
the lot and out Of 1t. Il
For spectacular playing no shortstOp
is the equal or Bush. His sprints behind
thu pitchers box. over second, into short
LETT and center. near third: his lightning
pickups and throws made in the same
movement. have made him popular Hei
has q style that thrills. and thrills are
great assets OF any form Of amusement.
People always like to see Bill Donovan
and his smile. and Oscar Stanage's eleva-
ton 70 the ranks OF stardom have brought
him cut N II 1NoA atfra cfioY GtaNaRe