New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-12
Charles the Red Weighed
Only 1877 Pounds When
He Began Game.
By FRANK O'NEILL-

Charley Doom, for years the star
catcher Jl the Phillies, and now one OF
McGraw's mainstays behind the bat
does no. subscribe TO the popular
opinion that catcher must be a NAM
meth in mould and strength in. order
TO become q star.
Ia DoOin's opinion a man OF light
stature who is possessed OF strength
and agility will outlast the man who
is bigger and glover. He cites numer-
Gus instances TO prove his point, and
lays esp, cial stress upon the case OF
Charles Red Doom. IL is known to ali
real baseball fans that Charles is 1.-the
~ built. but is tough and durable as
hickory sapling.
81 nav. heard fans argue for hours
on just how catchers should be built,
quo,h Doom last night. 1t IS popu-
lar belief among the latter day fans
that a catcher must be some sort Of a
dray horse, with hands like can
vassed ham, and chest like Normal
orse. This belief has been fostered
by managers and scouts, who have
secured the woods for giants. and a
man WAS often signed because he was
Zig while some smaller chap OF
greater ability WAS passed up.
This, Ct course, | believe TO be q
fallacy. have seen few ball players
In my fifteen years of major league
work, and some OF the best catchers
were little fellows ! won't 20 into
the details, but ! will tell you little
of my own case, and let that serve as
an example. To-day. in my bes, con-
dition, | weigh only 1913 pounds, yet
there were many keen critics who have
rraised the work | did while with
Philadelphia and elsewhere.
when | came up from the old ST.
Joe team ! weighed just l27 pounds.
and the critics in writing Of nv WORK
said tina, y Dung Doom. the youngster
now with the Phillies. has all the ear
marks Of being a star. but his lack
OF size will no doubt prove an insur-
mountabie handicap TO him
yet the seasons came and the sea
sons went, and remain in the big
show, and believe that am far from
finished, yet Indeed. look forward
to helping the Ginats capture the pen
nAnt in the 1916 race. So | believe
that what one man has done another
ELY being wesned away from the idea
or one must be big
Doom. be il said in passing, Is one
Of the leading entertainers on the trip.
lie has a delightful tenor voice, and Is
most agreeable with IT. He is always
willing to sing for the boys, and he
7pecializes in the good old Irish bal
lads. Not even John Mccormack has
much on Charley singing "A Little Bit
of Heaven" or Mother Machree."
Roesinger may not be able TO play
ball a lick, but he certainly can play
the piano.
Lew Wendell. the Mayor OF High
bridge. is one Of the most popular men
In Camp with the walters. Some OF the
bows keep the guardians Of the trays
Whiting until late in the mornings, but
not Lew. lie has nice little alarm
clock in his room and has il set for 5
o'clock in the morning. So far he has
no. missed a single meal.
Ferdie Schupp was pitching the other
afternoon and caugh; one Of the re-
cruits aat-footed of first base with a
snap brow 10 Kelley. That's a pretty
move Schuppie has toward first base"
said one OF the war correspondents to
Matty. who was sitting on the press
bench. Sure" said the Old Master.
but you ought to see his move toward
the dining room"
Jim Thorpe has changed his stance AZ
the plate. and is nov batting left-hand-
ed. He is bit awkward, to be sure.
but when he gets those big shoulders
b.. I'LL IL aoaa n