Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-18

Scattering" with Eddie Plank prob
ably in the lead.
Rucker Most Accurate.
Jack Ryder, of The Cincinnati En-
quirer, favored the Georgian as the
most accurate left-hander in base
ball"
He has the most perfect control
ever displayed by a left handler" says
Jack, "and his judgment also is uni
formly accurate. What a team he
and Walter Johnson would make!
They would be a practically invinci-
BILE pair!'
Yes-something like that has oc-
CURED to most of us, at one time or
another
Better Than Plank or Gregg.
Bill Peet, of The Washington Her
aid, while seeing much more of the
prowess of the wonderful Eddie Plank
and Vean Gregg, of the American
League still pins his choice on Ruck-
er, whom he has seen in action only
a few times.
He is head and shoulders above
the, rest Of Them says Bill. Il be-
lieve that in couple of years Joe
Boehling, of the Senators, will be
classed with Rucller, but right now
the Brooklyn slabman is in a class
all by himself"
All He Lacks Is a Team.
The game knows no more willing
or cheerful worker" said E. F.
Younger, of The Chicago Record Her
aid. Had he first-class team be-
hind him, / doubt If half his de
feats' would be charged against him.
He has speed, control and experience,
and is at his very best in a pinch.
h. hay IF no
delDhia Athletics, or even of the Gil
ants, | think he would be practically
inVincible."
Plank His Only Rival.
The same opinion is shared by Paul
II. Shannon, who says that with
really good ball club Rucker would
speedily stand alone in his ability to
deliver consistent victories.
''Rucker is a cool, competent work
man." says Shannon, with splendid
curves and fine control. Without
doubt, he is the best southpaw in
either league. ] consider Eddie Plank
his only rival, and Eddies advancing
years keep him out of a peerage with
the grand Georgian"
Palm for Consistent Work.
Thomas S. Rice, of The Brooklyn
Eagle. says that Fuckers work. year
in and year out, should justify his
choice as the greatest of southpaws.
He has GOODNESS, skill, control.
curves, the knowledge of batsmen's
weaknesses, and all the qualifications
that would entitle him to selection as
the games greatest left-hander."
HE Has Everything"
James Jerpe, of The Pittsburg Ga
zette Times, says that Rucker is his
choice because he has everything"
nfh
the most puZzling and exasperating
change of pace of any pitcher in the
land, and he knows how to use it.
He mikes up that tantalizing slow
ball with fast one that is simply
dazzling. and when he switches to a
curve, it is amazing TO see it. Nap
Rucker will show an opposing ball
team more stuff oftener than any
other pitcher living"
Hand It to Nap.
So they all hand it to our old
friend Nap, who used to pitch (bare-
footed) for the Marietta town team
and Gainesville and other town teams
just north of Atlanta.
Atlanta. by the way, had two
chances to land Rucker back in the
days of Abner Powelps regime. But
Abner couldn't see the gawky country
lad who actually asked him, on the
occasion of one try-out, if he couldn't
take off his shoes.
IF you'll let me, Mr.. Powell, I'll
pitch you some baseball" Nap plead
ed. But Abner was obdurate, and
Atlanta's chance to get the greatest
of all southpaws went glimmering
when Nap, stumbling about on I'M
accustomed spikes, couldn't pitch with
any accuracy. or field his job al all.
And now-well Maps the greatest
of them all.