Omaha daily bee., 1914-01-18

johnson as a catcher, even in
time, has q false ring to It,
Shestak may in time to come
prove a better catcher than Hickory; We
do not know, neither does anyone else,
One thing we all know now is that Hick
ory Johnson was q very fine catcher.
the best evidence of which is furnished
by the fact that very astute scout in
the employ of a very astute manager of
the New York Giants chose him out of
all the catchers of the Western league
for second string man next year at the
Polo grounds. AS to Hicks not thinking,
that is not a correct statement of the
case. He may not think as quickly or
as accurately as men of the Gonding
type-who are exceptions-but he needs
no defense as to his ability to think. He
thought we'll enough last year to do
nearly all the catching for the fercest
bunch of untamed pitchers ever herded
at one time in the Rourke corral and do
it up in brown syle. It's a gross injustice
to Johnson to say he doesn't think, or
to jump to conclusions as to an undevel-
oped young catcher out-thinking him.
why does it occur to so many to resort
to invidious comparison simply to boost
a man? We can see excellent possibili-
ties in Shestak without decrying the
proved achievements and power of john
son, Shestak, of course, ought to fall
into the work laid down by johnson, and
fortunately, like Hickory, only in lesser
degree he has the natural ability to hit.
He will, after he acquires the finished
art of catching. of course. cesSe expos
ing his signals to opposing players But
speaking of invdious comparison, It seems
from some strange reason to be the'Wa
in the base ball world. The man who has
gona.s even though TO higher company az
the result of excellent work, never seems
quite as good to the magnate In charge
and some fans as the fellow who is to
take his place. For our part we like to
think of johnson as great catcher as
Gonding as greater, as Shestak as a
conner, the exact measure of whom 1t
is impossible as yet to lay down.
Clark Griffith is about the first Ameri-
can league magnate to break over the
traces with a proclamation of doom for
he Federal league. The "Old Fox gives
n until June or thereabouts to die. That
Is really very unlind in Clark, who ought
to have a very clear and distinct recol-
lection of the fate Of another celebrated
"outlaw" league. Maybe the Federals
will go to smash, but what pray tell US
Is there on which to base such an as
sumption? Certainly not the lack OF
players. The American league started
with nowhere near the command or call
ber as this one has at the outset sun
there is many a slip 'twixt cup ana III
In base ball as other things. AS we nave
said before, IL the newcomers nave tht
money back of them that they claim
they are there to stay, for base ball pat
ronage has grown until 1t is as easily
equal to three big leagues today as j
was to two when the American broke
into fast company.
Old Bob Fitzsimmons not only staid 10
the count; he made the civil court snow
him before he would quit at the ripe OH
age of 81. And at that he is appeahn'
the case.
Emil Klank tells the waiting public tina
Gotch cannot keep off the mat and VII
soon be back, despite protestations L
the contrary. Perhaps the mat IS VIVA
lures Frank, but the thing that Keep
alive and fresh the spark OF enthusiasm
in the big bosom of Emil is the big gat
receipts which he can make as IN
manager" of Gotch.
We are glad to note that Pa Rourke 1
going TO have the best club house on IN
circuit. up-to-date and classy in ever
respect. His entire plant Is of that sor
and now IL he lands team to mate
there will be nothing lacking for 1914
60 pa "a 10 go back on the bench, c
come back"
or course, many OF the National an
American league stars who were slate
for the Federals win not go, but man
of lesser magnitude who are announcin
their intention of returning TO the hon
fold doubtless still have their attentN
ear out for the siren voice OF the outla
tempter TO name a larger figure
The very fact that il ever becan
necessary for the players in organiz'
base bali to fight for the right OF u
days notice before being released
otherwise disposed of Is impressive eV
dence In itself Of the fact that much
the rhapsody INDUCED in as TO 'orsa
lied base ball" is the purest tommy-rc
Why should ball players be treated mo
unfairly by their employers than al
other class of labor? Why should u
magnate have right 10 ''can" man al
second il popped into his mind TO do
and give the man no recourse at all! Al
all it took TO make the magnstes see 1
untenability OF such a deal was I'LL
backbone on the part Of the players
represented by Dave Fultz, head OF I
fraternity, himself a former star play'
The organized" powers backed do'
before Dawes organization so fast a
completely as to give the merry ha-ha