The Washington times., 1913-07-30


framed for the often referred to pass
ing of the red man is the quartet of
Indians now shining with considerable
brilliancy in the major leagues The
Indian may be passing, but those mem
toned here are, as far as can be dis
cerned, passing rapidly forward in the
national pastime.
There are probably no more promi-
nent figures in baseball today than the
Indians in the National and American
Leagues. John T. Meyers. better known
to the fans as Chief" the formidable
backstop of the Giants, is likely the
best known of them all, because he
happens to be with a team that is al
ways followed with great interest and
because also ability as a batter is one
of the assets of the team and a matter
Of deep concern to opposing pitchers.
Chief" Bender. of the Athletics. whose
pitching has helped to win two cham
pionships and as many world cham
pionships for Connie Mack. is a big
figure. and James Thorpe and George
johnson have been placed in the list
this year to add to the prestige of the
Indian in baseball.
Has NOT Been Given Chance.
Thorpe. who Is the worlds best athlete
even II he has been stamped as a pro-
has not had a chance to give
much Of an account of himself in base
ball, but George Johnson. who is on
the payroll of the Cincinnati Reds, has
proved his prowess as a pitcher by win
ming almost all the games that Tinker 8
team has amassed this year, among
them being one from the Giants.
With the fans the Indians are always
popular. Although Meyers has been
and one would think that the fans had
become used to him, he is always greet
ed with more or less correct limitations
Of the warwhoop when he comes to bat.
The Chief" smiles at II. He probably
never emitted a warwhoop in his life or
heard one except on the stage or in a
Wild West show, but at the same time
he knows that the warwhoop has the
same relation TO an Indian as water has
to ducks, and therefore gets a greeting
when. he goes to bat.
Meyers Is From California.
Meyers is a member of the old tribe
OF Spanish Mission Indians OF Califor-
MIA. He is. among other things. a grad
uate Of Carlisle, lover of art, and one
of the most dangerous batsmen in base
ball. The Chief made his profess
sional debut in the West. He played in
the Northwest League for season
with the Butte team, and his ability to
get home runs led to his being drafted
by st. Paul in the American Associa-
ton. He served there and improved
until McGraw got hold OF him. When
the Chief" first came to the Giants,
Roger Bresnahan was doing the back !
stopping, and the CHIEF did not fit
into a regular job until Roger went to
St. Louis to manage the Cardinals. !
Under the tutelage of McGraw he had. !
however made big improvement, and !
when the chance came he was ready to |
fll a regular place. Meyers has never |
broken any records as a base runner, |
but he fell only one hit shy OF leading |
the National League in batting two |
years ago and was right up among the |
irst few last year. He is always ca
Dable of hitting 300 or better.
Bender a Dependable Pitcher.
Bender. Of the Athletics, is not only a |
star pitcher, but he inherits much OF |
he craftiness OF his race and has used |
I to good advantage in baseball Ben
Ter. who is also known as Chief in |
Is one Of the most depend !
,bIe OF Connie Mack's hurting staff |
IaSt season ne eApcrleICeu his HTSt pad |
,ear in the game, and II was due large |
v to his lack Of form that the Athletics |
allied to win the pennant. But he Is |
back in his old stride this season. and i
he Athletics likewise are up at the top |
lgain, apparently intending to stay |
here.
Bender exemplifies his craftiness in |
he manner in which he handles op- |
,osing batters. He is cool, deliberate |
md stoical. He Is exceptionally keen |
we'd and seldom misses a chance to get |
he better Of a situation. He is a mighty |
.eIiable pitcher under trying circum- |
,tances. It was said after the worlds
Ieries between the Athletics and Giants