Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-12-14
BY BILLY EVANS.


is a batting slump? No one has ever
explained the real reason for a shrink
age in hitting, which happens every
now and then, to even the best OF bail
teams. The average baseball manager
In response will quite readily tell you
that a batting slump is the best ex-
cuse in the world to offer when Your
team can't hit the opposing pitchers.
Seldom does a manager give credit to
the opposing pitcher, invariably he
discredits his team.
Early in the 1914 season the Bos-
ton Red Sox we're unable to win with
any regularity. There was no ques-
ton as to the ability of the club, it
was a team with a punch, but some
how the Bostonians couldn't get start
ed in the right direction. The Boston
pitchers were going far better than
the average, but the sluggers on the
Red Sex team were failing to come
through with the timely hits. Natur'
ally much was expected Of iris Speak
er. the brilliant Boston outfielder.
Prior to the start of the season Speak
er was widely advertised as the high
est saIaried athlete in captivity. Per
haps this feature had much to do with
the fans in expecting so much more
from him. During the first five or six
weeks Of the campaign Speaker, al
ways a. 300 hitter, was nearer the .2OU
mark Time and again he had chances
to win different games with hit, but
the break never favored him.
Speaker isn't hitting" That was
invariably the answer last spring
when anyone expressed surprise owe:
Boston's failure to be up in the race.
That 1t was logical reason for the
failure of the Red Sox to win consist
emily was proved by the work Of the
club later in the race. Suddenly
Speaker started to hit the ball. The
box score on each day would show a
single and a double for Speaker; tw"
singles and a triple; single, double
and home run. Just as soon as
Speaker began to whale the ball to all
corners of the lot did the Red SoS
start their winning streak. From a
second division berth the club rose
slowly but surely, until 1t was the
only contender for the pennant hon
ors with the Athletics. incidentally
the work of Speaker seemed to have
its effect on the entire team. Other
good hftters at once ON the club began
to bat to better advantage. = s..-.I- =
Just what caused the spring batting
slump OF Speaker remains mystery.
Some will perhaps blame it on condi-
ton, others will insist it was due to
the excellent spring form Of the pitch
ers, while many Of them claim it was
over anxiety, because Speaker real
lied how much the public expected of
him, because of the immense salary
he was drawing for his services. No
doubt Speaker was worried because OF
his failure to get a flying start. In all
his work was affected by
MS great desire to deliver the goods.
In this connection / recall game |
played at Boston early in the spring. |
Despite his efforts Speakear couldn't
10 thing at the bat, and in the field |
ne also failed to shine. Harry Hooper, |
n right field, had big day of 1t; he
made several sensational catches, and |
1y his batting Boston was able to tie
Up, then win the game. 1t was Hooper |
Who looked like the million dollar
Ieauty. -.
,Iayers Like rhelr Base Hits. - !
For the time being many of Speak
RS sensational performances we're for |
gotten. Some OF the fans insisted that
le should splitspar of his salary with |
hooper; others told him the Federal |
eagus wouldn't have been benefited
my with him, and so on down the |
inc. Speaker took all the remarks
rood naturedly, for he knew he was
o strike his gait sooner or later. and
hen the same fans would be saying
lice things and taking back all the un-
lind remarks. One would imagine
hat Speaker would be in the best
,ossible position of any one to explain
lis failure to hit. Before the start of |
'ne OF the spring games in Boston
vas sitting on the bench talking with |
iris. He was worried because of his
allure to hit, more so than the fans
Who were Gliding him for his inability
o get them SAFE "
Am / hitting at bad balls, Bill?"
Isked Speaker. " ~
No, you are not" replied. Every |
lall you struck at yesterday / would
rave called strike If you let 1t go by.
That isn't the trouble, but you are
'opping up the good ones that you
Usually murder" : 49,. -. +
Good Hitters Have Keen Eye.
Speaker appeared relieved. for good
lftters who have keen eyes at the
late always hate to be hitting at bad
Dalls. Fellows like Cobb, Speaker,
crawford, Wagner and the other good
filters always look them over with
judgment at the plate, and
s rule offer at mighty few bad balls.
they work the pitcher to the limit.
he only explanation Speaker could
fer was baseball's oldest reason for
allure to hit them safe, the hitting of
very ball right at a fielder Believe
ne, Speaker made many a pitcher suf-
er for that spring slump.
Very often an entire team will
trike batting slump That is, of
curse, one of the reasons offered for
he failure of the Athletics in the
Torld's series. Other critics will say