The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-22
Object LESSON
in CHASESFALL.
Furnishes Striking Example Of
Value Of Sincerity Of
Purpose.
ONCE IDOL OF BASEBALL
Many Now Jeer at Former Yank Who
: Did Not Give His Best to
Manager.
ONCE IDOL OF BASEBALL

ihsh very Striking OBJECT lesson 10 the
profession Of organized baseball. 1t should
Impress upon the playing fraternity the
value of sincerity OF purpose.
Chase left New York without one re-
greet from fandom. II Is true that he
has made friends here during his eight
years Of service. But not the stoutest
OF these would attempt to argue that his
departure was mistake on the part of
Frank Chance. The enemies that Chase
has made since the beginning Of the sea-
son-and they are legion-exulted in his
downfall. They were out Qt is TO be
regretted to jeer at the fallen idol of
his local popularity. These loyal few who
tried to encourage Chase when he made
his first appearance with the White Sox
in this city did so fully convinced that
Prince Hal had absolutely outlived his
usefulness as q New York asset. I,
Few there are who heartily wish Chase
Ill In his new sphere. There have been
too few ball players of his caliber. Never
again, perhaps, may there ever be such
brilliant first baseman as this native
son when he was in his prime. Chase
was the quickest man, mentally and
physically. that ever donned a spiked
shoe. He had as great prospects as Ty
Cobb or Joe jackson. But he was cursed
with too much temperament. He simply
would not, or could not. remain stead
fast in the purpose to give his club and
his manager the best services at his
command. For brief periods he would
outshine the brilliant Cobb or the serious
jackson: then he would lose interest APP
parently and slump of into mediocrity.
Think Chase sIaId Down.
New York fandom Is imbyed with the
impression that Chase laid down. on
Frank Chance His work with the White
Sox in this city went far TO explode that
theory. 1t is reasonable to suppose that
he did his very best against the club
which to his mind Inundated him. II
the best he showed here is the best that
is left In him Hal may have been wrong
ly judged. The secret lies in the fact
that he has gone back; gone back so
far that he is but a shadow of his old
self. And IL this Is really so. Hal Chase
has overlooked the golden opportunity
OF shaping the most notable career OF
diamond history.
Be that as 1t may. the truth remains
that Chase never did himself justice
even when he was New York's popular
idol. He was not always true to his
employer, to his club, or to himself His
whole career has been blighted by acts
OF disloyalty-s In 1905, when the team
was hopeless tailender and most needed
him. he jumped his contract and went
to the Coast to play outlaw baseball
He was prompted 10 this action because
kid" Elberfeld. a personal enemy, was
selected as manager to succeed Clark
Griffith. That was the first intimation
Chase gave of managerial ambition.
Later. at the expense of George STALL
ings-who proved his worth despite the
obstacles connived by Chase-Hal gained
the goal of his prescriptions. He was
made manager OF the club in 1911. and
within a season disintegrated a pennant
possibility into a near ruck runner. Be
cause he refused to take himself or his
duties seriously. Chase passed up the
opportunity of a lifetime. Integrity at
that time might have spelled for Hal
the success of McGraw or Chance.
Head Turned at Start.
Doubtless the fault does not lie entirely
at Chase's door. He came into the league
mere boy. and at the same time the
most remarkable performer ever seen on
a diamond. So great was his natural
proclivities that he was the superior
Of all rivals the moment he made his
debut For him there had been no pain
full struggles through the minors. He
was the greatest living genius of his
craft, and as such commanded the ad-
miration of all managers and veterans
grown gray in harness. The adolation
Of New York's millions. the loud acclaims
of every city he visited no doubt turned
the head OF the youth. Everywhere he
went he was made so much of that II
was but natural for him soon to regard |
himself as a being of superior clay
New York spoiled Chase. Unfortunately |
for him. the hero worshipers who sur
rounded him embraced one fan who had |
evil genius sowed the first seeds of sedi-
ton when Clark Griffith failed with his |
seeds which grew into blighted |
fruit when Hal finally got an oppor-
tunity 10 direct the club. Among other /
things, Chase's traducer presented him |
with a house. IL is said, so that he 1
might have him for neghbor. But this !
particular angel was not the only in |
huence that led to Chase's downfall In
New York.
None deserves greater blame than the |
owners Of the club and the powers of |
organized baseball In jumping his con-
tract in 1905 Chase committed the un-
pardonable sin against organized base |
ball Such action has spelled the black |
list previously for major leaguers of the |
first rank. Chase was an exceptional |
player because he was the exceptional
asset. He drew many additional thou
sands Of dollars into the gates wherever |
he went Ban johnson did not want him /
"black-listed:" II would have been a |
serious blow to his American League |
And when Ban was willing to resort to /
subterfuge in order TO have this eccen- |
trio first baseman> restored to good stand |
ing why should Frank Farrell, more !
directly concerned, stand in the way?
Farrell himself would never have sought /
out Chase He declared himself en-
phatically on that point at the time of |
Halls desertion.
Chance ASSERTS Authority.
Now when even the National Com
mission put its seal upon the malcon-
tent as some one beyond the pale OF /
baseball law should Chase be
blamed for subsequent DEVELOPMENTS:
Hardly. That of itself made him more
powerful than any manager Frank Far
FELL ever engaged until Frank Chance
hove in view. The Peerless Leader"
simply would not stand for Halls fndif-
ference. He had to 60 And / guess
10 one was more surprised than Chase
when notified OF his release to Chicago
The beginning OF the end Of Chase
anne in Bermuda during the training
'eason- Halls ankle was badly sprained
n practice game. That same day he
vas out riding a bicycle In the teeth of
he trainers orders to remain in bed.
rhe same night he rode the bicycle
gain. fell OF II. and developed serious
injury fro p one that had been slisht N