Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-17
REAL TEST FOR
JOHNSTON WITH
CUBS NEXT YEAR
Chicago Magnate Anxious to See
Former Southern League
Star Make Good.
Bv Bill Bailey.

4 = I'll IN ~
sters coming into the major
- leagues from the minors GER
..,rlv should envy Jimmy Johnston,
,ba recruit secured by the Cubs from
49, co, Francisco club Of the Pacific
u. aague. Before playing with
&C., francisco Jimmy was a Southern
League star. 80 hasa r,n
riro abiiity2 That's partly the reason
f gar he envy. But 1t isn't the big rea-
sor Then what is? Simply this
I Itr,,ov Johnston will have a trial, a
~ooi trial and if there Is anything In
lin, he will have the opportunity OF
showing II.
Won know what happens to many
| ,,fnor Lacquer. He boards the train
| hat carries the majors to the training
,amn They get out on the field and
sorething happens to the youngster
II he a pitcher maybe he has a sore
arm II he's a slugger he hasn't had
lima to gain his batting eye before
thew tell him to be on his way, that
The boss has Just concluded a very
| advantageous deal that will send him
N some minor. Away he goes. He
ia sore all the way through for the
raason that he hasn't been given a
1 chance
Not so Johnston.
Sox Once Had Chance.
It's like this with the little fellow
| who stole 1913 bases this season. There
Is considerable feeling between the
Cub and the Sox officials as a result
1 of his requirement by the West Side
team. President Comiskey and Man
aver Callahan will look bad If John
4 ston comes through with rush and
develops into a major league star for
4 they had the opportunity of grabbing
him and didn't exercise the option.
You can see how 1t is. Surprising
that Johnston reports and looks good
enough to keep and then plays sensa-
tonal ball in the National League.
What the fans will say about Man
ager Callahan will cause him no JOY
and you can wager on that. They'll
become very sarcastic and demand
to know why he didn't keep an out
fielder when he had one.
Which would make a tremendous
hit with President Murphy. Because
while he and the South Side manager
always find room to pass when they
happen to occupy the same side Of the
pavement that is about all they do
just pass Ii isn't on record that they
halt and indulge in any love feast
Even of the verbal kind.
Cal Can't See Johnston.
And you can wager that Callahan
VIII indulge in many outlaws should
Jimmy Johnston fail to make good on
the West Side. 1t is the opinion of
the South Side boss that this very
thing will come to pass. This for the
reason that Callahan gave Johnston
an excellent trial on the coast last
prlng and the recruit didn't look any
.hlng like a world beater.
He certainly was a whale on the
| oaSes even then. He also had one Of
the prettiest fadeaway slides that a
man ever looked at. The trouble was
that it was never on exhibition save
when the fellows were working at the
sliding pit. The slides there don't
show In the averages and fail to score
any runs. Johnston handicapped him
self considerably by his inability to
get on base.
Callahan permitted him to become a
member Of the San Francisco club
because Of his light hitting. Nor did
ne look sensational fielder. He
wasn't particularly fast and his arm
"'4 VI IIe type LldL CAUSES Lle
IanS IN the grandstand to crane their
0ecks at his throws.
Shows Vast Improvement.
Gut on the coast they say that he Is
better hitter a better fielder than he
was and that he is one of the most
promising ball players ever turned out
IN the far West.
Its this difference in opinion and
Inc feeling which has entered into it
winch will result in Johnston being
even mighty good chance. If he
CCines through as the Cubs believe he
WI the laugh certainly will be on
al II he falls down and returns to
me minors Cal will do much laughing.
p Johnston is certain to be the gamer.
because about all that minor Lacquer
van, u@n demand is a real trial. The pre-
'"'4'hs conditions insure him that.