The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-25
HANS WAGNER
HERE SUNDAY
RENOWNED PIRATE sHoRTsToP
WILL PERFORM ON LEAGUE
PARK
Manager Shriver Has Been Assured
That Regular Lineup Will be
Used In Exhibition
Game.

] Tue rams OF TINS city are BOlng 10
have the privilege. for IL really is a
privilege. OF greeting on their home
grounds tomorrow. II all goes well. the
greatest ball player Of all time-the re-
doubtable Hans Wagner-when the
Pittsburgh Pirates hook up with the
local team in a game on that day, at
League park. Martins Ferry.
There are Ty Cobbs and Nap
Lajoies, stars OF the greatest magni-
tude. but there is only one Hans Wag-
ner. IL the opinions OF most baseball
critics may be relied on and President
Barney Dreyfuss OF the Pirates has
promised that Wagner will perform for
the local fans unless accident should
happen TO prevent the big Dutchman
from playing. For nineteen years the
wonderful Dutchman has been cavort-
ing around National League diamonds
to say nothing OF the several odd years
he was serving his apprenticeship in
| the minor leagues. but age seems to
have laid no touch upon this magnifi-
cent arthlete and this season. as in all
seasons past he is putting up the same
grand exhibition of the National pas
time as only he can put up. and swat
ting the ball better than the average
player.
4
I AS a rule. the partisanship shown
by fans for their home team blinds
them to the good work done by players
on the opposing. team. but Wagner
seems To have become a National in
stitution-the Booth of baseball. and
all over the National league circuit,
: and elsewhere. he is greeted with APP
plause every time he appears. and the
fans take as much delight in his work
as they do in the work of their home
favorites. II IL a great tribute TO a
great player and one that is well de-
served
In all his years in the National
/ League this grand player has only
I twice failed to finish the season with a
3 batting average OF 800 or better. and
In this respect he has established a
worlds record For 16 consecutive
seasons he was within the charmed
circle OF 300 batters. thus beating the
former record held by that famous
swatter OF olden days. Captain Arson.
OF the Chicago National League Club.
who batted over 300 for fifteen consec-
3 utive years. II is more than likely
! that Wagner's great record will not
be beaten for many years. II ever. as
} few men last long enough in the big
show to make such a record.
Dehes All Traditions.
/ Eight times he has led the National
b League for the premier batting hon
ors. which. by the way. is another
worlds record to the credit Of this
! marvellous performer. and all this the
I great Hans hes attained in a batting
way in spite of the fact that according
to most critics. ne defies all the ira
ditions as 10 how a player should han
die himself IN the batter's box. But
handsome is as handsome does. they
. say. and so whether the great Johan-
mes disports himself al the bat accord
ing 10 the most approved mode or not.
there can BE- no question that he hits
the ball and that is what makes bat
ting averages and wins ball games.
Unlike Cobb. who stands up TO the
plate in the most approved fashion.
Wagner has an awkward. almost IN
calmly. position az the bat. and stands
so far back from the plate that II
seems almost impossible for him to
bit balls going directly over the rub
Der: but Notwithstanding this. he hits
balls high and wide on the outside OF
the plate that other players. who
stand close up. would not think OF
Wagner has no weaknesses At the bat
Whether the ball is high or low. close
In OF far out. It makes no difference
10 him; they all look alike and re-
ceive the same terrific treatment from
his prolific bat. and still. when the
occasion demands hunt. Wagner can
lay the ball down as cleverly az any
player I'm the game
Fielding Also Wonderful
In his fielding this superlative
player b. as wonderful as AZ the bat
and in bis position al shortstop has
never bad o superior since the game
began. and q IS doubtful II the world
Will ever again see bis equal He r.
a great player. the best Of ALL Il has
not inflated him In any way. and ne
Is a. modest today as the vcriest
tushleaguer making his debut n 10
this trait. probably. more than any
other. that has endeared him 20 the
baseball public ell over the country.
and caused Fred Clarke. manager or
the Pirates. 10 say recently. after 81.
t0illng Wagner ability as q baseball
player. Wagner is a grand man In
every sense OF fhe word On and or