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.
By Bill Bailey.

~HrCAGO, ILL, Nov. 17.-Young-
sters coming into the major
- leagues from the minors GER
tainly should envy Jimmy Johnston,
the recruit secured by the Cubs from
the San Francisco club of the Pacific
Coast League. Before playing with
San Francisco Jimmy was Southern
League star.
Because of his speed and base run
ming ability? That's partly the reason
for the envy. But it isn't the big rea-
son. Then what Is? Simply this
Jimmy Johnston will have trial a
real trial, and If there is anything In
him he will have the opportunity of
showing it.
You know what happens to many
minor Lacquer. He boards the train
that carries the majors to the training
camp. They get out on the field and
something happens to the youngster.
If he Is pitcher maybe he has a sore
arm. If he's slugger he hasn't mad
time to gain his batting eye before
they tell him to be on his way, that
the boss has just concluded a very
advantageous deal that will send him
TO some minor. Away he goes He
is sore all the way through for the
reason that he hasn't been given
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 result
of his requirement by the West SIDE
team. President Comiskey and Man
ager Callahan will look bad if john
ston comes through with a rush and
develops into a major league star, for
they had the opportunity of grabbing
him and didn't exercise the option.
You can see how it is. Surprising
that Johnston reports and looks good
enough to keep and then plays sensa-
tional 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. 1t 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
will 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
spring and the recruit didn't look any
thing like a world beaten.
He certainly was a whale on the
bases even then. He also had one or
the prettiest fadeaway slides that
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
he look a sensational fielder. He
wasn't particularly fast and his arm
wasn't of the type that causes the
fans in the grandstand to crane their
necks at his throws.
Shows Vast improvement.
Out 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.
It's this difference in opinion and
the feeling which has entered into 1t
which will result in Johnston being
given a mighty good chance. II he
comes through as the Cubs believe he
will the laugh certainly will be on
Cal. If he falls down and returns TO
the minors Cal will do much laughing.
Johnston is certain to be the gamer.
Because about all that minor Lacquer
can demand is real trial. The pre-
Vailing conditions insure him that.