Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
MOST EVENTFU
YEAR IN BASEBALL
One of the Biggest Wars in
the National Game
Starts.
SURPRISE FOLLOWS SURPRISE
Unexpected Developments at
Many Stages-Braves Make
Spectacular Climb.
SURPRISE FOLLOWS SURPRISE

future get together to reminisce. they
wiz he unanimous in agreeing that
1918 was one of the most eventful
years in the history OF the game. All
along the way. from the very FIRST day
OF The year TO the present time. the un-
usual has been the order OF things.
AS Father Time ushered in 1914. the
Giants and White Sox were abroad on
the greatest world tour OF ball play
ers over Known. Also the Federal
League was just coming into being
as an organization worthy OF atten-
ton, It brought along with il one
of the three biggest baseball wars.
The only ones TO compare with 1t
were waged by the brotherhood in
$50. aud BY the American League in
1900 and succeeding years. This latest
concerned and unconcerned know
Surprise Follows Surprise.
One event that occurred In the first
month OF the year and surprised many
persons was the Official and formal
recognizing Of the Baseball Players
Fraternity by the National Commission
and the granting of the demands OF
President David l.. Futz. 1t was the
first time such thing has been done
Later on came the threat of general
strike OF ball players over the Kraft
case. when the maRnatcs bowed again
another unprecedented occurrence.
The actual playing season OF the
Two big leagues presented unexpected
developments at many stages. The
Boston Braves made their spectacular
climb from the cellar to the p...ant
Of the National League. thereby GUST
ing ;hree-time champion Giants from
the honor. And tho Athletics consid-
cred tnTinciblc in 4 short series, were
beaten By them for the worlds title.
beaten Ia four straight games which
was without parallel in the past
Athletics Rank Near TOP.
FOLLOWING tie close OF the season
came word from Connie Mack that
he was TO break UP the combination
that had ruled the diamond so dcapoti-
cally before they met the Braves The
going of Bender, Plank. Coombs and
Collins leaves only a shell of the old
Philadelphia machine. which in time
: TO come will be ranked near II not
quite at the top. when the greatest
OF Collins alone is almost epochal.
Here Is man rated by II majority
OF critics as the greatest player in the
game. ana his sale to the Chicago
White Sos Is supposed to have drawn
worlds record price. said by one
man. who claims TO know. to be si3-
800 Where is there another instance
OF the greatest player OF any genera
lion being sold or traded to another
team?
Don, forget the passing of Hans
Wagner either. The d-timcr went
through his first season with worse
than 400 batting average.
Yankee Snlc Important.
The sale OF the New York Yankees
is much more important event than
simply an ordinary change In owner
ship. II Is expected to mark n new era
in the career Of the American League
an era OF more general prosperity all
around. In return for promises OF
spending plenty OF money wherever
desirable to do SO. Ban Johnson has de-
clared to the new owners his intention
OF making the wheels revoIve so az to
bring number of star players TO the
New YORK club. and put II i'll the thick
Of future pennnnt fights. OF course
Johnson made similar promises to
Frank Farrell-and failed to back
them up with action. But he and tho
owners OF other clubs In the league
now seem sincere in their profession
OF desire to help the Yankees.
II the Yankees can get in the con-
test for the flag there Is no doubt tina.
they will draw good-paying crowds.
which will help every club in the
league to make ends meet, just as the
Giants success has been an aid to
every club in the National League
Connie Makes Had Mistake.
An official OF the American League
says that Ban Johnson Is making Of
forts to persuade Connie Mack to
change his methods next season In an
endcavor to draw more fans to the
support of his team. Mack. a bench
manager OF the most retiring sort IS
almost unknown to the average man
in the crowd. He is never seen on the
ball feld. and Is thought of more or
less as nothing but a sort of electrical
force that makes things go. There is
nothing human about him, nothing
that would appeal TO the fan. and were
II not for the fact that his clubs have
bh2n up there in the race each wear
II would have only a corporars guard
a. his games. Connie has been MAX
int; big mistake by staying in tho
background thus.
Ban Johnson has come to the con-
clusion that the Athletics would he
better drawing cards If Mack womb
get out In the spotlight n bit and be
seen He wants Connie to become the
style OF manager that McGraw ia
wear uniform and work on the coach
ing lines. 1T might break Comics
heart II he were forced to do this, but
wouldn't n bunch Of people turn out
to see what he looks like in a uniform
Bet your life they would. It Is to be
hoped that johnson will succeed with
his arguments and cause the tall and
lean tactician to show his face a BIT
more during the next season, as we'll
as thereafter.
Mntty Describes Queer Curve.
ChrlSty Mathewson has cleared IN a
few or the mysteries OF the emery
ball for us; That freak delivery,
mrs. tInC lilS year, Is worked quite
q bit differently from what the avrr.
age person thinks. according to Matty.
who Knows. and also knows how to
The ball is twisted and rubbed on
the piece of emery cloth In the palm !
OF the glove until there is n rough SPOT
about the size of a silver half dollar
on IT," he says. Then here's the part
hold the ball when pitching 1t. You !
hold 1t and also throw 1t exactly the
same as any other delivery, either a
straight, fnst inshoot or an outcurye
The important consideration Is to have
the rough spot Mt the position where
II will be on the end of the axis of
turning; in other words, practicnIIv
stands still or Just spins instead OF
"reroivlnE clear around the ball as n
whirls. The rough spot being on. the
same side throughout the whole jour-
ney OF the ball. 1t causes extra com
preston Of air on that side which
makes the ball pail swerve and hop toward