Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-26
HANS WAGNER GOOD LESSON
Big Dutchman Would Make a Good
Model for Recruits to Big Loop
to Pattern After.
DOES NOT CHASE EASY MONEY

Volumes have been written around the
name of Hans Wagner by enthusiastic
base ball scribes, and yet It is doubtful
IL full justice has ever been done to the
subject. Players have come and play
ers have gone. others will come and
they, too. will depart from the lime
light. but Il Is doubtful IL the national
pastime will ever produce another
character so picturesque. $50 interesting
as the Flying Dutchman of the Pitts
burgh Buccaneers
Honors galore have come to the big
Teuton and he has worn them all grace
fully. He is the same Honus today that
he was when he first broke into the big
league--quiet, unassuming. detesting the
fawning adulation Of the base ball bugs"
and thinking only of how he can best
serve the man who pays his salary.
There Is certainly big lesson for other
athletes in the career Of the first citizen
of Carnegie. Pa. and an example in his
life which any man might well emulate.
The official fielding averages of the
National league. recently issued, brought
out the fact that Wagner led the short
stops of the parent organization during
the campaign Of 1915. 1t is true that the
old boy didn't accept as many chances
US bOfIlo Oh ln0 yOhuBtT AichA AhAiAb NhV
position, but his percentage of chances
per game was great enough to show that
he was on the Job all the time.
He took part in 1s1 games. had 29s put
outs. S95 assists and thirty-eight errors,
total Of 7S1 chances. and an average Of
.94s. Davy Bancroft, the young sensa-
ton with the Phillies. was classed as
one OF the niftiest short fielders in the
league last season, and yet in 1883 con-
tests Bancroft handled only 500 chances,
practically the same aervage Of chances
per game as Wagner had.
In the averages Honus ranked higher
than Charley Herzog OF the Reds; Walter
] Meanwhile Of the Boston Braves and
others who were classed as great work
ers In their own department.
However, the cold figures fail to come
anywhere near showing the real value OF
Wagner to the Pittsburgh team. 1t is
doubtful II there Is another player In
base ball today upon whom his team S
chances for victory depend so largely as
do Pittsburgh's upon Wagner.
Team IL built Around Him.
| For years Fred Clarke built his defens,
and much of his offense about the bis
| German. II has become an axiom will
local fans that the Pirates go as goei
| Wagner. That Is, Honus exerts such al
| Influence upon his mates that they arr
| only normal when he Is among them
Eliminate him from the lineup and thu
whole outfit acts like a flock of los
sheep, not knowing where TO go.
During the last two years Wagner's bat
ting has fallen off. That is, he has no
been able to break into the select circles
Of 800 hitters. but no pitcher in the league
will be willing even today 10 admit tina
Wagner is an easy batsman to dispose Of
Indeed. during the last season. he wal
Intentionally passed on a number OF oc
casions when runners were on bases.
However, there's no getting away from
the fact that slowly but surely Wagner
lamps are becoming dim. He does no
show the old-time ferocity at the bat, snC
does not take the chances against oppos
ing twirlers that he did when younger
man.
On the other hand old Father Time hai
apparently been unable as yet to SLOW
Wagner up In his fielding. He still covers
lot of ground. and handles with appar
ent ease chances which would make al
ordinary shortstop look like dub.
Honus Is A. and off the ball field HI
looks his age He is a gTiEzled veteran
with more than a tinge OF gray in hi
hair. and weatherbeaten lines I'm his face
but ON the field he is the same old fier!
performer. forgetting everything but tn,
game OF the day. and never thinking tina