Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-01
FIGHT AHEAD FOR
SOx SHORTSTOPS
Exciting Battle for Place PROM
ised by Weaver, Berger
and Johnson.

Chicago. Jan I--There win be an
exciting and turbulent contest next
spring among three athletes TO deter
mine which one will be the regular
shortstop Of the White Sox. This is
the most impressive bit Of gossip we
heard on the baseball beat YESTERDAY.
-AeEer an absence OF six weeks from
things relating to baseball, it was
sufficient To enthuse one.
Jimmy Callahan, the south side
manager, announced officially tina.
Joe Berger had signed a contract. Joe
IL an aspirant for the job that was
filled by Buck Weaver most of last
season. Weaver is after the place
again, and the third competitor is
+ Ernie johnson, who filed in at the
position for a while last year.
They are all young men and ambi-
tious. One of the old timers thinks
! johnson the best fielder OF the trio,
Berger the best hitter. and Weaver
the best all around man. II the
strong points of each could be assem-
bled in one athlete he would lead
tr,l OF them.
IL had been rumOred that Berger
was a holdout, but this proved mis-
take when Manager Callahan an
pounced that his contract has been re-
ceived. Along with the contract came
a letter from the aspiring infelder
saying he was wintering at Laguna
Beach, near Los Angeles, and would
be in condition TO play ball when the
Sox arrive in california the latter
pat of February
Berger was among the recruits in
the Sox camp at Waco, Texas, last
fspring. but reported a bit overweight.
and before he could get into fightine
condition he had been transported to
t0s Angeles. In the Pacific Coast
Neague last summer he was a whirl-
wind shortstop, making such show
'1g that he was reclaimed by Gala
han. Consequently this young Ger
man is expected 10 draw some con.
federation il the selection of Sox in
fielders next spring.
Callahan disclosed an added ac-
! Complishment OF Buck Weaver which
may overcome this expected prowess
on the part OF Berger and enable
E Buck to hold the regular Job on the
4 Sox once more. Every south side fan
knew that Weaver's weakness was at
the lat A smart pitcher could fool
" I'm With a good curve ball Weaver
a knew his weakness, too, and for the
last month or more Of the playing sea
sol he practiced batting left handed
iagainst right handed pitchers.
Weaver did this at the ,~orning
workouts. so the fans had no Chance
TO see him, and before the last game
was paved he wits handling the stick
4 almost as we'll from the left side as
from che right IN this way the curve
1all q right handed pitchers did not
bother him. Callahan says he thinks
Weaver will adopt this method for
all games this year. and by so doing
will increase his batting streagth by
90 points.
The Sox manager pointed to Ownie
Bush, shortstop of the Det-oit Tigers;
1 Bob Bescher. outhelder OF the Cincin-
: natl Reds. ID George Davis, former
snortstop OF the White Sox, as nota-
/ BILE examples of batters vino switched
on pitchers and overCame the weak
ness OF swinging at curve balls. II
trNeayer can be as successful. in the
enture as any Of the others he should
able 10 hold the position OF short
4 Top on the Sox In spite Of the aspira-
Cns and prOwess of Berger and
ohnson.
While these two athletes are bat
ling for the position they cannot az
ord to forget that Johnson is trying
Or the Job too. No one IS neater
elder in the position than the young
outh side boy, and although he has
been q trifie weak in batting, many
ANlelieve he has never acquired his
gular stride Johnson is left hand
ID hitter and faster on his feet than
,ther Weaver or Berger, SO has tive
points in his favor even II he falls
own in others His performance ia
he city series against the Cubs after
Weaver had been retired because OF
njurv stamped him Of major league
capabilities
Manager Callahan and owner Com
'key OF the White Sox are the only
laEnates in Chicago ct present. Presi
ent Johnson of the American league
III is in the wilds OF the Caroliaa'
king up the schedule OF games fo'
ext season It is said there is plen
OF game in that section.
In New York-Dr William o. mellow
j. -, ot Newark. n. j., was nominated