Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-01-08
IS FEARED
MORE IN PINCH
THAN COBB
BY Harry CHASER.

81 a
TT was hardly necessary for the
Cleveland club to deny the re-
cent report that Nap Lajoie
would be permitted to seek pastures
new. Few Of the fans familiar
with the big Frenchmans prowess
on the diamond believed it, and
Larry's fame stretches far and
wide. 1t is said that he is gradual
ly slowing up, but so long as he is
able to bat as he did last year and
for many seasons previous, there
is no danger that he win have to go
back to driving hacks.
With Hans Wagner Lajoie en-
joys the distinction of being the
two hardest propositions big
league twirler has to face. Neither
led their respective leagues in bat
ting last season. still they are
feared more by pitchers than many
a batsman who occupies a more
prominent position in the batting
records. Ask any twirler In the
Johnson circuit who he would rath-
er pitch to in a tight spot, Lajoie
or Cobb. and the chances are he
will pick the Detroit star without
hesitancy. The same applies to
Wagner as compared to other nota-
BILE batters in the National league.
They would sooner pitch to the
others. because there is a chance
to pass them purposely. To do this
to Wagner and Lajoie requires a
deal of caution and a great amount
of skill.
The pitcher is never sure that
they will agree to take four balls
in preference to a swing If he
does serve them wide they have
to be so far out of reach that
there is danger Of a wild pitch.
With their long bats and keen eye
sight, these stars cam pickle a
waste ball as hard and accurately
at times as one In the groove.
Have Thrown Their Bats.
Many instances are on record
where they have thrown their bats
at a wide pitch and scored wins
thereby when the pitchers tried
their best to walk them.
Russ Ford, among others. has a
wholesome respect for the big
F'renchman. The Yankee spitball-
err has had several sad experiences
with him. The most recent oc-
CURED in a game at Cleveland last
season. The Yankees were bump
ing the bumps and Ford's winning
percentage was dwindlng at d
rapid rate, despite the fact that
he was pitching good ball
This day, however, the cripples
backed him up like a flock of cham
pions and the Yanks were in
fair way 10 victory
The score was close. but Ford
was at his best, In the eighth =
man got on the paths and worked
his way around to third at the eN-
pense OF a couple of outs When
Larry came up there was no need
for Sweeney to signal for four balls.
That was what Russ intended to
serve, nap let TWO go DN. IdlIlS
threw his bat at the third, which
was so high and wide Sweeney
would have had difficulty in get
ting it, and sloughed a three bag
ger Needless to say, the Yanks
lost
But Larry does this sort of
thing not once, but innumerable
times every season. and so does
Honus. II is doubtful though.
whether Wagner is as skillful in
this respect as the Cleveland slug
ger
Second in Driving Home Runs.
Lajuie was rated second best in
driving runs over the plate last
season. He did not bat i'm as many
as some Of the players rated below
him. for he was out of the game a
good part OF the season with in
jurieS but his average per game
was higher than amy excepting Thar
uf Frank Baker the Athletic lnrd
~ackrr Who led tine league .n this
department