The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
1912 WILL BE THE
YEAR OFLONG SWATS
| AND RUNAWAY RACE
BY WALTER MARoHAND


Copyright. 1912. by Publishers Press)
New York. June 23.--It is probable tina.
the baseball season of 1912 will go into
history as the season of the long swat.
For some reason, the psychology of which
Is beyond the ordinary fan, home run
hits have been so common this year that
they have ceased to cause comment, ex-
cept when they are made with the bases
full and thereby break the games. or
when as was the case ahthe Polo grounds
during the recent charm-visit of the Cub
four homers were bofted in the Same
game.
e always had home run artists
= sa anne, men like Baker, Myers.
s4raaaes altn and the like, but just now
sss asa are merely leaders of great
asfes 'our-base hitters.
81 ese home run records the most
fssassa was that made at the Polo
oefs4 game after game, for weeks
eigf aH1 one exception, every game
f1assa rush stadium was marked by
- 3Ha e homer.
80 as4 grounds the home run habit
mly fixed. but 1t is true that
sas ea doing it,
Is ana parts of the country more
parIlculary down about the National
Capitol. the season has a still higher
title to a noted place in the history
OF the game The great western trip
of the Washington team, in which they
gave a close imitation of the Giants, Is
really a most remarkable, not to say
unique, performance for the Senators.
In a baseball way all is not quiet on
the Potomac, not by several parasongs.
In fact, Washington fandom has gotten
to a point of enthusiasm when, If the
democrats should nominate Clark Grif-
fifth for the presidency next week he could
depend upon carrying the District of Co
lumbia solid.
1t has been so long since Washington
has had a first division team at this
stage of the season--come to think it over
] don't recall they ever did-that at first
the Inhabitants were dazed, now they are
crazy.
While talking over the remarkable fea-
lures of the season. 1t will not do 70
leave out Rube Marquard. Even Hugh
Fullerton is now willing to admit that
the Rube is a pretty fair imitation of a
pitcher. In his great record, 1t is true
he has been backed up by the best club
now playing, but Marquards pitchine
would have brought him victory with al
most any club of big league calibre. With
Walter johnson of the Senators, he Is
fairly entitled to the proud pitching hon
ors of the season so far.
The Giants still have so long lead
In the National league that nothing short
of a train accident which would kill of
half of McGraw's players seems likely
to be able to stop them. In the American
league, however, II Is horse of diff
ferent color Any one of the first six
clubs may take a squirt and go to the
front at any time. / still have a sneakine
suspicion that Connie Mack has the class
of the league, and when the final squirt
comes will go TO the head, giving Nc
Graw a chance to. regain his lost laurels
Ever stop TO consider what the Smiths
Jones, Sweeneys, Browns, O'ESiens, Col
linses and a few other players of the
same name group have done for baseballf
There have been players of these and
other familiar names In the game ever
since there was any baseball. Memory Is
no encyclopedia, but recalling names off
hand many a famous player comes I,
mind. Take the Smiths, for instance
there was Charley Smith. the old tins
Columbus third baseman; Germany Smith
the shortstop. and a cracking good one
George Smith. the second baseman
Smith, the pitcher. and Frank Smith, the
pitcher; George A. Smith. pitcher and firsi
baseman for Harrisburg back in 81
Catcher Broadway Alex Smith, Rec
Smith, the Brooklyn third baseman, ant
Waiiy Smith, the Cardinals infielder.
The Joneses too are numerous. They
include Charley, Davy, Jimmy w. u
and Fielder, all outfielders of bygone OF
modern times Tom, the first baseman
Oscar Jones. Jumping Jack Jones and
Bumpus Jones. all pitchers. Collinses
more or less illustrious. have been Jim
my. the king of all third basemen; Eddie
the king of all second basemen; Hub
at one time second baseman for tn
Broollyns: Ray. the Boston pitcher an'
the Collins now playing the outfield TO
the White Sox.
Among the Browns, with or without th'
final e. are Bill. the old time catcher
lew. another old timer: Tom. the fas
outffelder; George another speedy out
fielder. and three of four pitchers now il