Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-29
WHY DO THEY CALL JOHN EVERS
"FIUMAN CRAB" OF THE DIAMOND!
Captain of Braves Discusses His Nickname.
Thinks Reputation for Kicking Has
Made Him Suffer.

"why do they cali me the Human
Crab""
Johnny Evers wore a quizzIcal express
sion on his face as he ''bit off, the above
sentence-''bit off, is about the proper
way to describe the utterance of SEN
tence by the king Of National League
second basemen. He puts fire and vim
into his words, just as he puts those same
qualities into his work on the diamond,
writes Stoney McIinn in the Philadelphia
Ledger.
Evers appeared uncertain Just what to
nickname, Human Crab" Probably he
never had been asked the question in the
same direct way But it was not long
before it struck the sense Of humor that
is prominent in the makeup Of the Braves
captain. And he laughed with the afore-
mentioned fire and vim.
well, I'll tell you why I think they
call Johnny Evers the Human Crab "
he said, when he had halted his laughter.
1T is because Evers goes on the ball field
to win games and to play as hard as he
knows how every minute. He has no
friends when the battle is on. He's fight
ing, in a sportsmanlike way for every
point, and he continues to fight tomorrow
just the way he fought today.
Il am telling you why l believe they
call Johnny Evers the Human Crab.
Possibly l am not a competent witness.
since l happen to be the same Johnny
Evers But I'll be glad to explain to you
just what I mean by fighting for ball
games, and l think it will be clearer to
you. In fact, ] appreciate the opportunity
to let the public know few facts about
Johnny Evers."
To digress for the moment, did you, Mr..
Rooter ever meet John J. Evers of Bos-
ton, Mass, and Troy, N. Y, off the ball
field? If you did not you have missed an
acquaintanceship that you would value.
A perfect gentleman. an interesting taiker,
a good fellow in all that the words should
imply, the Trojan is the antithesis of a
human crab" For, as base ball men un-
der stand it, a Grab" is person who
possesses a disagreeable nature; who
snaris, who bellows. who continually picks
flaws in the work Of his mates-in short.
a fellow who makes life miserable for
himself and all those about him.
Is Johnny Evers that type of man
on the ball field? We think not. That
he is not when he is wearing his straw
hat, business suit and Oxfords Is GER
tain.
When we visited Evers in Philadel-
phia last week he was seated on the
veranda of his hotel. smoking cigar
and chatting with George Whitfield,
Sherwood Magee. Eddie Burns, Bobby
Byrne, Rabbit Meanwhile and other
players of the Phillies and Braves.
Their conversation had base ball for
it's topic, but, although two rival clubs
were represented in the company and
they were In the midst of critical
series, they were talking it over with
all the sangfroid and good fellowship
with which millionaire clubmen dis
cuss the playing of a billiard tourna-
ment.
The "Crab" Was the Central Figure.
And remember that the central figure
in the group, and the man who was
listened to most attentively. was
Johnny Evers. Wouldn't you expect a
human crab" to be in his hotel room
or off by himself somewhere, Stunned
by his fellow players?
However. Evers quickly separated
himself from the group and we re-
tired to a corner of the veranda 10
delve into the human crab" subject.
II suppose about five or six years
ago, when 1 was with the Chicago Cubs.
1 did get in wrong with the fans quite
often" Johnny began. I'VE made it
point to go after everything in the
way of technicalities. and I still insist
that is a good thing to do. ! watched
for every opportunity and was quick
to tell an umpire when | thought he
was making a mistake. Now, the UNI
pire doesn't live who likes to have his
attention called to the rules. He is
supposed to know them, and once his
decision is made, he won't change it
in fact. it would be a bad policy for
him to reverse himself.
Naturally, / was in arguments with
umpires and players on opposing teams
almost every day. 1t got SO bad that l
couldn't open my mouth; the instant I
did an umpire would yell. Get out o.
here, Evers! But that didn't stop me,
for my heart and soul were in my
game. and could not stand it to see a
decision made which technically might
be wrong. I realized that the umpires
would not reverse 1t. but believed that
they might remember my protest and
give 1t my way the next time.
Nov, as have said, this put me in
wrong with the fans. They put me
down as continual kicker. an umpire
batter, a crab Why, there were mon
on our club who did more kicking and