Evening star., 1913-02-16
PREFER REGULAR BERT THIS TO
POSITIONS OF PINCH HITTERS
Facing Walter Johnson or Joe Wood in a
Pinch Is Some Job, But Pete Comp
ton Twice Delivered the Goods.

would tell you he would much prefer
playing every day than sitting on the
bench waiting for the call TO step to
the plate. If You deliver a couple OF
times and turn defeat into victory you
are hailed as a great hero but few
failures and YOU are classed as dub,
JeeTs usually greeting Your march to the
plate.
Lost Batting Eye.
In this connection l recall the case of
Dode Cr1ss OF the st. Louis Browns. If
there is one thing in the world that Criss
seemed able to do 1t was to hit the pill.
In 1908 1 believe he hit safely in some
thing like fourteen ont Of seventeen trips
TO the plate. Nearly every one of those
hits made il possible for the Browns to
win, and incidentally keep in the running
for the penaant. Criss was considerable
Of .irst-ball hitter il the first ball de-
livered was near the plate he generally
had a good swing, and was lucky in get
ting it safe. Pitchers then got into the
habit Of working on Criss. and it devel-
oped he never hit well under other
conditions. Then Criss slumped in his
pinch hitting. in 1909 lie failed almost
every time he stepped to the plate The
crowd quickly forgot his other deeds in
an emergency ana hooted the big Texan.
lie was later released TO Louisville. Here
wcs player who had been a sensation
oilS cd, Jill. tO De released tle IOllOW
ing year for being unable to do the very
thing that had made him valuable
Pete Compton OF the ST. Louis club was
called upon twice last year to face eX-
traordinary conditions. | hardly think it
would be possible 10 place (. batter in a
tougher situation than that twice slipped
to Pete. Pete did the unexpected EIe
didn't fan on three pitched balls, or foul
out. or send weak srounder to the in
fielder, but he came through with two
SlJSninE singles that nlaVpd
part in both games.
Hits Cause Trouble.
Both of COmptOn's hits came in very
important games. The first one was made
against Walter Johnson and broke the
wonderful winning streak of that pitcher
after he had gone through sixteen success
sive games without defeat Up tn the
seventh inning Washington enjoyed a
To / lead. In the seventh. with one down
st. Louis got runners on first and second
Al this stage Griffith yanlied Hughes and
substituted Johnson. believing that the
speed phenom would be able to hold the
visitors SAFE. with darkness fast ap-
proachinS. The tlIst man to face John
son struck out. and things looked rather
bad for the Browns. johnson made a
wild pitch on the first ball delivered to
Compton, advancing the runners a base.
With two strikes and two balls. Compton
came through with q single over short
that scored beth runs and won the game.
Pretty fair work, when suddenly thrust
into the breach and -acing Walter
Johnson.
A few weeks later Joe Wood with four
teen straight to his credit. was sent
aE"+,-st the Browns. For seven innings
he enjoyed one to nothing lead. In the
last OF the seventh The Browns got a man
on second. with two down. Manager
Stovall decided 10 put it up to Pete to tie.
the game: In this connection 1 recall a
conversation that ensued between Bobby
Wallace and Pete as Compton was walk
ing to tie plate. Wallace followed him in
the batting order 1t was very dark al
the time. ard any hitter will tell you that
II is difficult enough to follow Smoky
Joe'S speed on bright day.
Wood Was Disguised.
Nice and light 10 hit against Wood
said Bobby, with smile.
I'D give two bits right now If they
would turn on the electric Ights,' an
swered Compton.
Bet you wish it was all over" said
Bob.
1T is going. to be presently" answered
Compton. but L m not going to be called
out on strikes. Watch me take three
healthies. Bob"
Wood was depending On his speed en-
tireiy. Compton swung on the first ball
missed It and turned clear around. The
next bail resulted in a Ions, foul He hit
the next ball 10 center field for a single.
tying up the game and seriously threaten
ing to break up Woods winning streak
Naturally when Pete reached first lie was
delighted to have come through in a
pinch Wood stood in the center of the
diamond the picture of disgust.
You know, Joe. I busted Johnson's
record, and I promised Walter I'd look
after you" said Pete. with broad grin.
That hit tied the score, but In the next
inning Hamilton uncorked a wild pitch
that allowed the winning run to cross tie
plate. If you think pinch hitting is a
pleasant task, If You regard 1t as a. de-
light TO face walter Johnson Or Joe Wood
in semi-darkness. Just ask Pete Compton
iCopyri.ht l3lS. By W. @. EYansl