Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-07-08

JENNINGS MAY BE CRAZY BUT HE GETS RESULTS

II
Many of the thousands who have
seen Hnghie Jennings out on the
coaching lines acting like man be-
reft OF his reason have asked them
selves, why does he do it," Many
times has the fan said to his neigh
Dor, That man Jennings is certainly
bug" without thought of the deep
reasoning back of his antics.
But, although he places the eminent
Mr.. Jennings as the genus bug. isn't 1t
true that he delights in his pep and
the swing he imparts to the doings
out there on the diamond? And here
in is the secret of Hughes coaching
box manners. The reason this mem
Der of the Pennsylvania bar goes out
there and acts like a crazy man is be-
cause it adds to the afternoons en-
| joyment-and that is his business.
Hughie Jennings is student of
social economy He has reasoned out
that mans financial worth is direct.
ly proportional to what he gives to
society. And he gives to society
amusement. This is the way Hughie
puts it:
Il go out there and try to instill pep
in my men because it will help them
TO play better-make the other fell
lows play better to try to beat them,
and therefore increase the attractive
ness of the game to the people who
pay money to get in the park.
fIt is my aim to make the Tigers
the most popular team around the cir
cult. They are not going to be popu-
lar if they go up to the plate in list
less manner; if they field as though
fielding were task. The public does
not like to see cold baseball. even If
it is technically perfect They go out
there for amusement, and 1t is my
business to give them amusement
That's why go out there and coach
with all the energy have.
Result Of Antics Factor.
Il don't mean to say that all the
fans enjoy my antics, although a per-
centage undoubtedly do. But do
mean to say that every man inside the
park gates enjoys the result of my
antics.
Take two teams. One plays base
ball that is technically perfect, good
baseball, fast baseball. But the play
ers are cold. their game is cold. They
are simply part of machine that
grinds out baseball The game they
offer is not human, and they do not.
give the spectators the excitement and
thrills they pay for.
THE other team plays good base.
ball, but they make mistakes ut is hui
man to make mistakes). At the same
time they are warm, full of pep, gin.
ger. They go at their work as though
winning was greater than receiving
the semi-monthly check. This is a.
team that gives the public what it
pays for-baseball, excitement, thrills.
In other words. amusement.
That's the sort of team / want
Detroit to be. And to make them
that sort | go out there on the
coaching lines and show the old pep
People sometimes wonder why 1
frequently go to the outfield before a
game and kid the folks in the bleach
ers. Well, in the first place, / believe
the fans enjoy it, and in the next place
enjoy it myself. 1t all helps to keep
things moving and the public amused. .
Hughie Jennings wiped his red and
perspiring face, for the day was hot
and he had been emphasizing his re-
marks in the same manner he urges
Bush to tax ali lead. old boy, tax ali
lead" or Crawford to ''hit er out,
Sam1Ebust at apple.
We found the Detroit pepper box in
the hotel lobby surrounded entirely by.
husky ball players, and explained our
business. Hughie led us to one side,
with parting injunction to his play.
ers to stay in the shade until game
time" and q sort of .'is-everybody-
happy" glance around the lobby. 1t is
a characteristic of Jennings to want
everybody comfortable and contented.
He is a gloom-dispeller par excellence.
Jennings has a sunshiny disposition,
which may account for the fact that
he looks like sunbeam.
That describes Jennings appear
ance about as well as anything else.
His red hair and ultra-red face bright
en- up the entire landscape. The red.
ness of his face accentuates the blue
ness OF his eyes And Hughes eyes
are about as blue as they make orbs.
One has an idea they never saw blue
eyes before when looking at Jennings.
They are his most striking feature
the constant barometer Of his moods
or, perhaps, it would be better to say
his mood, for Jennings is usually bub-
bling over with cheer and good-fellow-
ship. i.
When Jennings talks he gesticulates
hard and often, and always with his
hands clenched as they are on the
coaching lines. The gnarled and
twisted fingers naturally clench to-
gether when he becomes enthusiastic
ever point.
Its my idea that big league man.
,Io,,Il ho1,o f;,ck e4r,,oI