The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-01-07

players are becoming too ambitfouF
Ambiuon = n great thing during the
shamplonship season. hut i believe NAM
blg especially pitchers. are
3neruoing II by Playing ball all Winter
Ihey may get more money each fiscal
ear this way. hut they won't last a.
long You take the wise boys. and you
won't find them playing much winter
This notion was put in my head when
observed the way "Reb" Russell, OF
the " mite SoN, has been workin for the
Fan Diego club this winter. He famed
- batters In four games recently and
Is not easing up az all at the one time
IA the year when he should. Russell Is
me kind OF a pitcher who Is oozing am
bltlon. too much OF 10. 1 know his type.
Tor ! made the trip across the continent
IN the worlds tourists party with him.
ne - a Zine young fellow. and a great
pitcher, but he should watch out, III he
Big League.
You don't read about any ~strikeout re-
cords being compiled by Walter johnson
In the off season. lie IS n great believer
IN akin his comfort for his salary
wing during the period OF rest. The big
washington tWirler puts fn his winters
on his farm and forEets base ball COM
pletely. lie even refuses TO read a..
ohnson is very proud of the live stock
he raises In Coffeyville, Kansas. and n
enters his stock in all the local shows
and fairs. He oversees the farm him
SELF. and this keeps him warmed up dur
ils the or season. and in the open. 1
have often thought / would like 10 get
"A farm 81 I knew how 70 make the soil
do the right thing by me. The trouble
Is that a man must keep reading agricul-
tural journals and taking post graduate
courses now TO make money in the farm
ing business. and / don't see the use OF
any business ~ you are not going to
get a Profit out OF 10.
Wants TO Stay Long Time.
II Is JOhnsOn's ambition to stay IN
ne game Tor a long time, When the
way north from the spring training trip
last year. I had "A little talk with John
son. lie complimented me on having
lasted Tor twelve years In the Big Lea
que. and then said.
You know. made up my mind two
years ago to stop burning them over ex-
cept when the tgh tness OF the situation
made IL necessary. 1 used TO put on all
my speed all the time when / nrst broke
into the league. but IL doesn't get yc,,
any thing except a s~triNeOut record. ana
records don't keep YOU in the league
when the old soup bone begins 20 skid.
and you have. n possible"
Johnson Is = very sensible pitcher. lie
took me for a little ride in his automo-
bile around Washington at this time
aud, not having a self-startcr. / noticed
that he ranked II with his left arm. lie
saw me watching and explained the
reason.
- always used to twist her with the
right until last season" he said. "One
day had the spark up a little too rar.
and she made "A kick that gave my wrist
Billy Evans. the umpire. happened TO be
vim me when this came on and noticed
! had hurt my wrist a little.
What do you use your right arm
Tor, Walter? he asked me. 1t seems 70
me you are taking a terrible chance
Il thought II over after that. decided
did not want to be put out OF basebalIt
by n kick OF a motor. and have cranked
with my left hand ever since. Which
wing do you use. MattyG'
81 twist with the salary wing" said 1.
hut I'm careful never 20 pull down o.
her or spin her
Il wouldn't take that chance II I
were YOU cautioned Johnson.
walter Was Right.
Johnson. IS right about this. too. He
ming temperamental motors with that
arm OF his which is worth. I'm big league
circles, at least 100000. according 90
my estimate OF values.
There are "a lot OF ball players with
valuable arms taking ChauceS with them
every day they crank automobile. 4
fastest base runner ia the Big Iearue
but. without a good arm. he is Of little
Valuo IN any position OF a first class
team. lie won't hold a Job as a regu-
lar. either. with n weak wins
What Is the use OF having n PLAYER
IN the outheld who can spear any fly
hall he can reach. N who a. fast and
death on ground hits. n he cannot cut
OF runs at the plate with his throws
lie would lose many a ball game Tor
~ a managers were foolish enough 10
keep bin ~ the outheld. II rs the same
win infelders 10 might be coutcndcd
that n second haseman does not have
10 throw the ball FAR to yet o. 70 first
hut how about tho times he has 90
shoot ~ 70 the plate TO break mp a
double steal on "a short throw As a1or
az the opposing clubs discover that "a
PLAYER has "a weak arm. they run wild
ON him when hc has tho ball There is
mo- place ir tho big League fnr tho
weak armed except tho pinch hittera. ana
that j. not q very satisfactory job for
an active man.
But look nt the players who are take
ing chances with their arms. During