The Washington herald., 1913-09-23
PLAYING FIRST
REGULARHOODOO
Managing and Holding Down
the Initial Cushion Do Not
Seem to Hitch.
STARS MAKE FAILURES
Chance and StahI Have Shown Best
Form, Both Having Won Pen
nant Title and Series.
STARS MAKE FAILURES

First base is beginning to look like a
hoodoo (spelled with a capital D. The
initial sack is fine and dandy when 1t
comes to playing thereon and dragging
down the salary. But
Managing and holding down that cush-
ion don't seem to hitch. Or, rather, those
who try the stunt are apt to come to a
bitter end.
Glance hurriedly over the following list,
and then see If we aren't on the right
trail:
Frank Chance-Summarily ousted from
the management of the Cubs last fall by
President Murphy.
George StovaIl-Politely deposed from
the leadership OF the Browns by Col
Hedges, president
Jake StahI-winner Of a world title his
first year with the Boston Red Sox and
handed the hook by Prexy McAleer during
the midst of the present season.
Harry Davis-Elevated to the mana
gerial reins OF Cleveland. unable to hold
them for any length Of time. and now
back with the Athletics.
Hal Chase-Boss of the New York Yam
KEGS for a spell, and mighty glad TO get
from under.
Are Not Failures.
You can scarcely call any OF these men
failures as ball players. The reverse Is
true. In fact. we doubt if you can name
FIVE higher class first sackers in the
history of the national game.
Consider them as actual workers (aside
from their careers as managers):
Chance-One of the best men who ever
guarded the station; a wonder on low and
8aan
derfully fast and heady base runner.
StovaIl-Possessed of all the attributes
given TO Chance, except he wasn't quite
as fast
Stahl-His fielding and batting were
largely responsible for the Red Sox tri-
umphs last year; a cleanup swatter.
Davis-Connie Mack's chief lieutenant
during his many years on first for the
Athletics A cracking fielder and there
with the bat when in his prime. He was
reasonably fast in addition.
Chase-A first sacker who needs little
comment Today he leads the field in ef-
fective work-fast, heady and consistent
in all branches.
why the HoodOO.
This puts the question squarely up to
US. Why the hoodoo?
First base seems to be the best Of all
places 10 Watch the pay ana olEecI lhe
game. The custodian Of that station can
tell-neXt to the catcher-just how the
pitcher is working. He can direct the
whole play by signals, having all in sight
except the right fielder.
It's a hard problem to answer.
Mayhap it's a manner OF luck-some-
thing firmly believed in BY ball players.
Perhaps it's something else.
You can scarcely call Chance and Stahl
failures as managers. Both won league
and world titles-Chance number OF
them.
Many lay the hoodoo on temperament.
That may have something to do with II
in a couple of the cases. But it won [
hold water with the rest
We think accident cut some ice. Chance
was beaned a number OF times and Stahl
hurt his foot. Neither of their presidents
wanted bench managers. So they passed.
First base is a dangerous spot to play.
One is always open to injuries there.
But the final analysis is something ws
wouldn't dare to attempt. 1t brings us to
those unanswerable words-hoodoO and
link.