New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
M'CRAW NOT SURE
JUDGE OF PLAYERS
Has Let Some Valuable
Men Slip Through
His Fingers.
DICK RUDOLPH A
GOOD CASE IN POINT
Pitcher Had Hard Fight to Get
Into Big League After
Trial with Giants.

Among New York rooters the inn
preston has gained ground that as
Judge of players John J. McGraw Is
infaIlible. But this season he Is
little less than that-just middling IN
falIible, as one might say. Dick Hu-
dolpb. of The Branx ond the Braves,
brings anguish to the heart OF NC
Graw and to the fans of New fork
every four days or so. In spite OIL
very light hitting support Rudolph,
according to the latest averages, mas
won fourteen games and lost only
seven. Many of his victories have
been shutouts.
McGraw had Rudolph not many sea-
sons ago, but let him go back to the
international League after an extended
trial. If il had been any other man
ager but McGraw. Rudolph might not
have been in such a predicament, for
he might feel certain that he would
be brought back to the "big show
once more, but the dismissal by the
boss of the Giants was mllstone.
about his neck No other big league
manager would have anything to do
with him.
"If McGraw canned you there must
be something the matter with you, be-
cause he never makes a mistake" was
the retort of every big league scout
when Rudolph sought to press his own
claims as a good major league buy"
1t was only by refusing to sign for an
other season in the international
League that Rudolph managed to get
back into the National League by way
of the Braves. Stallings has no reason
to regret the purchase.
Another Boston pitcher seems to be
the embodiment of another proof that
McGraw is, after all, only human in his
judgments. Shore, who has made such
brilliant start with the Red Sox,
was New York rookie, but got rather
short shrift. Devore is playing fairly
well for the Braves, but this can hard
ly be charged up against McGraw, for
Josh is by no means the equal OF any
of the New York outfielders.
Beals Becker, however, is hitting
hard enough to make it probable that
he would fit in nicely in the outfield of
the team which led him go, and "Red"
Ames is pitching better baseball and
more of it than Arthur Fromme.
Yet it is we'll to remember that
Frank Chance sent Birdie Cree back
TO the minors, that Hugh Jennings got
rid of Archer and that Connie Mack al
lowed Joe Jackson to get away from
him.
Some people can't help thinking that
Jimmy Callahan's threat TO have the
White Sox play special game in honor
of Sir Thomas Upton may have had
something to do with the postponement
of the races for the Americas Cup.
Some close observers profess to see
a change in Nathewson's pitching style
this year. They point out that ne
scored a man on a wild pitch in a re-
cent game and that he has hit several
batsmen this season, and argue from
this that "Big Six" is working hard TO
acquire bad control. 1t is certain that
some batsmen found it easier to hit
Matty because they had every conf
dence when they stepped to the plate
that he would not hit them. 1t may
be that Mathewson would just as soon
lessen this confidence, but he is show
ing the same ability as ever 10 put
the ball across when he neds to do so.
Headlines anent the report that
"Ping" Bodie may be traded to Milwau-
kee say "'Ping' to Become a Brewer"
This does a grave injustice to a man
who has always fought valiantly on the
other side in the continual duel be-
tween the producer and the ultimate
consumer.
The Russian navy and the Cleveland
Maps ought to have a league Of their
own.
Nap Lajoie has grown SO pugnacious
since the war began that he almost
fought with a waiter who brought him
German fried potatoes instead OF
French fried.
The New York Giants intend to take
legal action to take Bluejacket, the
Indian pitcher. away from the Federal
League. The officials Of the club were
not quite certain whether or not TO
take action, but when the big Indian
shut out the Kansas City Feds John b,
Foster decided that Bluejacket was
worth having.
One reason fer the success of the
Yankees in the West is that they tackle
a great many Of their enemies from be-
hind.
Ed Reulbaeh will stay in Brooklyn
after all. Perhaps the request for
waivers was simply means Of fright.
ening the player, but ut any rate Is
soon as he pitched an effective game
Ebbets decided to hang on to him.
dutch" Leonard and Walter John.
son are having keen duel to see whict