Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-12
SPEED COUPLED WITH BRAINS
PLAYS BIG PART IN BASE BALI
Excellent Work on the Bases Was Big Facto,
in Success of Washington Team and
Practically Won Pennant for Giants.

1t possible for the Nationals to win
many game by his deeds on the base
lines. When the season opened it is
doubtful if Milan for moment thought
about breaking any records, he was
simply working for the best interests
of his club His Willingness to take
chances on the bases often threw the
opposition in the air, and before the
season was half over it was common
gossip that Milan had a great chance
to break the stolen base record of the
American League. He accomplished
the feat by pilfering eighty-two bases
,, during the season OF 1912.
MilanS performance last summer, in
my very humble opinion. was a Won
derful feat. 1t simply goes to show
what Il bright ambitious chap can ac-
complish. Milan when he Joined the
Washington club had just as much
speed as he has today, yet at that time
no one would have regarded him as a
classy base runner. He had the speed.
but was unable to get results. There
are many players in both majors and
all the minors, who don't put their
natural ability to its best advantage.
Base running has always been hobby
of Milan's, and he has made a study
of that end of the sport. Naturally
his work has shown constant improve
ment, and last summer he capped the
climax of his efforts by establishing
Il new American League mark for stolen
bases.
Much improved Playef.
The game Milan broke into the big
leagues as a player, 1 happened to be
the umpire. / marveled at his speed
the first time 1 saw him step down to
first. One day last summer 1 happened
to be making a long trip west on the
same train as the Washingtonian. l
reminded Milan of his debut, and re-
marked what wonderfully improved
ball player he was in every department
of the game, base running in particular
Not until j realized that there are
other things to do besides simply run
ming wild. did / begin 20 get results on
the bases" said Milan. when L broke
in, l thought all man with speed had
to do was to get on in some way, ana
then throw in the speed clutch. L noted
that ! was getting thrown out at sec
ond with regularity, and that every now
and then the pitcher or catcher would
| pick me off some base. l watched with
disgust other players much slower than
me steal with ease on the same catcher
that had thrown me out 1t finally got
| through my Uranium that 4 fellow had
| to do a lot of things besides run wild
| to be a good base runner. When get
| on now, I try to- outguess the men VINO
| are trying to outguesS me, the pitcher
and catcher.
Watches Battery Closely.
Just as soon as hit first base 1 begin
paying a little attention to the battery
men. l pay particular attention to the
feet and the shoulder of the man pitching.
There are few pitchers who do not give
away their intention of pitching or
throwing to first by some peculiar move
ment When the base runner gets wise
to these little movements the chances of
stealth are bettered and the possibility
of being caught mapping lessened. Some
pitchers invariably bend the knee q trifie
when about to pitch. yet never do this
when intending to throw to first. Other
pitchers always strike a certain attitude
before delivering the ball. These little bits
of knowledge are of invaluable aid to the
runner.
on the second pitch. The catchers soon
got wise to it, and never failed to waste
| that second ball. much to my disadvan-
tage. I soon got over that habit. Now
| tly to fool the catcher by going down any
| old time. l try to steal whenever the OPP
portunity looks best to me, usually dis
! regarding other conditions.
Changing my style of slide has also
helped me steal many base that would
have otherwise resulted in an out l used
| to go into the bag too straight, making 1t
! an easy matter for the fielder to put the
| ball on me. 1 soon realized the value of
the hook side. and kept plugging away
until / developed a slide that makes it
more difficult to touch me- l guess I'm
| q little BETTER concluded the modest
Milan.
Milans advancement from an ordinary
| base runner to the champion base stealer
of the league shows what player who
seeks to advance can do 1t is proof posi-
| tive that brains must be coupled with the
speed to get the best results Speed alone
will not suffice.
(Copyright 1913 by W. G. ENans)