The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-04
JIM BASKETTE is
SERIOUSLY HURT BY
STAB IN THE FACE
WHEN ARE PLA YERS
AT THEIR BEST?|
CONNIE MACK SAYS AT BE-
TWEEN 35 AND 40-VARI0US
FIGURES ARE PRESENTED ON
THE SUBJECT

"a baseball player ought to be at his
best between 50 and 35," said James Il.
AtcAleer, land he ought to save $4,000
while in baseball" The author of the
Aforesaid ought to be some authority on
the subject because he was playing the
game about that age. Moreover, being
chief mogul of the champions of the
world, his observations concerning dia-
mond athletes ought to carry weight. II
McAleer's remark is actually true, then
baseball is unquestionably the best of all
outdoor sports. SO far as the players
thereof are concerned. In no other branch
of athletics can man, as rule stand
the strain after, say. q or 2s. and nearly
ali of them begin to go back at about
b. And how many men have saved $780,
coo at the age of So? ''Of course a man
isn't so fast after 80 as he was before,
added the Red Sox president. But he
has learned to think by that time, and
he should be more valuable to his Clue
after 30 than before-always provided he
las taken care of himself.
as evidence McAleer might mention
jimmy Archer. the Cub premier catcher.
who is regarded as one of the best there
der. who will be 30 next May, and who is
still some chief" Notwithstanding he
hasn't taken such good care of himself
as an athlete should; Al Bridewel, who
is 32: Mordecai Brown, 81; Jimmy Calla-
tii-n, SO; Frank Chance, 81; Hal Chase, 80;
Fred Clarke, Al. and who was playing
rtanager of the Pirates until after he was
49, "Clif' Cravath, 81; Sam Crawford, 3S,
Birdie" Cree, 81; Harry Davis, who has
gust gone back to help put the Athletics
ton their feet again al 40: Red Dooin, 3d.;
Pat Dougherty, who was doing things
at 35; kid Elberfeld, who is 81; Johnny
fivers, 80; Russell Ford, 30; Artie Hof-
man, 81 Hughie Jennings. 4S Johnny
King, SO; Tommy Leach, 36; Lefty Lie
field, 80; Larry Lajoie, 49, Christy Math-
ewson, who pitched the best game OF
lps career last October, when he was JUS
past 80; Mcbride, 32; Matty Mcintyre.
g. Mike Mitchell, 80; Earl Moore, "a; Mike
Mowrey, 80; George .Mullin, 33; Eddie
Plank, 50; Ed Reulbach, 81; Lew Richie,
30 Frank Schultz, 81 Jimmie Sheckard,
credited with "a years, but who, they
say, is two years older; "Gabby" Street.
&c. Jake Stahl, "a; Ira Thomas, 80; Joe
Tinker. 80; Honus Wagner, 49,
McAieer might mention these, but he
would Immediately start dispute, if he
djd-a dispute as to whether all, or the
most of these, were not better before 80
were not 'going back" In fact, it is very
likely that without mentioning names.
NcAleer has started a winter dispute al
ready. Let's see what happened now tina.
he has opened a little argument for the
fans" rs a baseball player at his best
between 80 and esp
The Sox president made this remark
during conversation in which he asked
how much he thought a big league base
ball player ought to save during his ca
reer on the diamond. McAleer put the
figure at some $4,000. The average life
of ball player, who takes care of hinl-
SELF in the big leagues, is not much
more than 10 years. Most of them enter
about 22 or thereabouts. A good player
ought to make about $500 year; an ex-
ceptionally good one more-~up to from
$1,000 to $1,000 or ssO00-after he becomes q
star. There are many frugal ball players,
and McAleer's figures must be based upon
the ability of those fellows to save two
thirds or three-fourths of their baseball
salaries. earning enough in the winter to
make up the balance of the cost of l'v-
ing. A hustling ball player-one of the
lind who gets into the big leagues and
sticks-ought to make $40,000 or 50000 dur
ing his career, even if he never partici-
pates in any worlds series and never be-
comes star. McAleer's belief that he
can save $4,000 is based upon the fact
that a players necessary expenses are
sight in the playing season, and he ought
to be able to make enough during the ST.,
rsonths' lay off to allow him to save two
thirds or three-fourths of his salary.
President Navin of the Detroit club
says: II am sincere in my belief that