The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-30

In yesterdays game Shortstop KEEL
leher of Denver convinced a number
of fans that he is entitled to consid
Grafton when one goes to pick the
best SIS in the league. He played bril-
liantly, but undoubtedly had his horse
shoes with him.
Eddie Monroe, who has been
wrestling with a tonsilitis demon for
the past few days, was able to be out
at the park Tuesday afternoon. He
is still a bit pale around the gil1s but
says he is feeling better than he has
in some time
Also, Jimmy Jackson, who has been
on the hospital list, was in his uniform
and fuSSing around very much like
himself. The fans are anxious to see
Jimmy back in the lineup because
they think the team plays with more
pep when he is on the job.
Grover won his game with ease yes
terday but his work didn't bear the
brand of Bugs Best. Those who
know Grover know that he can hold
any team to less than hits when he
is doing his best, and it is expected
of him.
Shields, the Denver first sacker, is
a college man from the University of
Mississippi Sammy Mayer is from
way down in Georgia, and Sammy and
Shields were loving each other up
considerably before yesterdays game.
Sort O. brothers from the hookworm
country, they are, you know.
Mayer, by the way, has another ac-
complishment that has not been di-
vulged to the general public in these
parts. He is a gentleman pug, or
what might be called an expert in the
art of using the fists. If it were not
that boxing is prohibited in Kansas,
Jimmy Jackson says he would like to
r,oa tch ga will of
pireS.
baltimore outbatted anything
the ball field Tuesday. Out of four
times up he was on bases four times,
and deposited three hits to the credit
of his batting average. His fielding
feature of the day was made when he
went behind first and snagged one.
story comes from ST. Joe to the
effect that the club owners at their
recent meeting decided to make some
changes in the umpiring staff, but
thought it best to say nothing about
it for while. Some more stuff like
the releasing of the schedule, maybe.
Jack Coffey says Outfie1der Dell
ought to make Topeka a valuable man
if he gets into his stride. Coffey says
he has the natural ability and is a
conscientious worker. He was in his
stride Tuesday.
Also, Coffey says that the pennant
race now looks like it will be with
Topeka, Denver and Des Moines. He
thinks Denver will be hard to catch
when the players come out of their
hitting slump.
With Pitchers WOODBURY. and La
kaff and Outfielder Dell on the Jack
son pay roll the Savages will be one
over the limit andrl some player will
have to be released3n 1t is probable
that the deal transferring Trainer to
Sioux City will come to a head if Dell
proves satisfactory.
Chicago is running true to her
swine industry in try to hog the
worlds championship series. OF
course Chicago is not to be blamed
for her efforts, but fans in general
would be better pleased if St Louis
should nose her out in one of the
races.
For some reason Ham Hamilton of
the st. Joe Gazette is not finding time
these days to kick Topeka and Wichita
out of the Western league. 1t might
not be a bad guess to say that Ham is
too busy figuring out how ST. Joe is
going to stay in.
Chief Bender is not the only one
Of the old stars doing poor work for
the Feds. The Chief has been ham
mered by the batters in the Gilmore
circuit as if he were mere novice.
Rankin johnson is another chap who
looked good in the majors who has
fallen down in the new league. This
youngster flashed across the horizon
with the Boston Red Sox a year ago.
By beating Walter Johnson a couple
of times he achieved a reputation.
The Feds tempted him and he
hoped to Joe Tinker but he is hav-
ing a hard time winning games. Bob
having A
last year, has come back and is one
of Fielder Jones best. Doc Crandall,
too wins games now and then, while
Plank has had good season to date.
Old Baseballs.
Nit White of E,mporia, Kan, is
reputed to have in his possession one
of the oldest baseballs in the world.
1t is understood this ball was used in
one of the first championship games
ever played in the United States 1t is
made with a one piece cover and
ten inches in circumference.
Speaking of this and other old balls,
the Associated Press recently sent out
the following story:
Veteran baseball fans whose mem
cries carry them back to the early
days of the national game, are dis
cussing the recent report from Pitts
burg that the oldest baseball in exist
ence had been insured for $1,000
against loss by fire or burglary. This
sphere, which is covered by one piece
of horsehide sewed in the center, is
said to be fifty-three years old, hav
ing made its initial appearance in
game played between the Eclipse club
of Kingston, n. Y, and the Hudson
team of Newburg, N Y. on June 20,
1862, which was won by Kingston
players 40 to IS.
'fwhile this ball is undoubtedly one
of the o1dtime spheres it is not the
oldest by some years if the records
regarding this department of baseball
can be relied upon. A baseball which