Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-17
BY BILLY EVANS.

The loss of star ball player does not
necessarily wreck a team. The acquisi-
ton of that same player very often
makes a pennant contender out of some
other club.
In this connection / have in mind the
case of iris Speaker. The Boston club
had enough reserve strength to rally
after the loss of so great an athlete
and win without him. The addition of
Speaker to the Cleveland club actually
added enough punch to make that team
a strong contender.
That Mr.. Dunn. the owner of the
Cleveland club, was tempting fate
when he put through the deal at an
immense outlay of money is proved by
a glance at past performances. The
deal which gave Speaker to Cleveland
put new life into the base ball situa-
ton. Speaker was the most-discussed
individual in the country. 1t was clear
ly up to Mr.. Speaker to make good.
The marvellous ability of Speaker as
a player is too well known to be even
briefly commented upon. However, it is
fact that iris Speaker in the base
ball world always has been known as
late starter. He invariably did his
poorest work in the spring. Usually he
began to find himself about the first of
close of the season he would travel at
top speed. The spring prior to joining
the Cleveland club Speakers batting
average for the first six weeks of play
was only a trif1e better than 200. AL
most every year he has had that handi-
cap TO overcome. / venture to say that
poor spring has kept Speaker from
topping the American League batting
averages any number OF times.
Good Start by Speaker.
1t is therefore an easy matter to
figure what a good or bad start meant
to the Cleveland club. If Speaker had
gotten away slowly the enthusiasm
which had been stirred up by SEN
sationaI deal would have slowly died
out. Incidentally the showing of the
club would have suffered greatly,
which means the attendance would
have been equally affected. 1t was
long gamble for the owners OF the
came through with them in most
miraculous style He got away to
flying start, enjoyed the best
spring of his career. rekindled enthu-
siasm among the Cleveland fans. made
a pennant contender out of the ball
club. and incidentally realized a cher
ished ambition. the leadership among
the American League batsmen.
The sale of Speaker was much re-
scented by the Boston players at the
time. They felt that Speaker was
necessary for them again to win the
pennant. which meant cut in the
world series to the extent Of about
$4,000. For time the club seemed to
be waverng, but the spirit of Manager
Carrigan and the courage of the en-
tire team overcame the loss of the
Speaker punch. lust to show how
Speaker was regarded by the other
players am going to repeat a number
of conversations that i overheard on
the bench.
George Foster. who was such tower
OF strength to the Boston club in 1915.
had trouble getting started last season.
An injury to his arm robbed him of
much of his effectiveness in the spring.
Nerve is a great asset to a pitcher and
Foster has a great deal more than his
share of it, He refused to take the
count and kept trying to show his old
time effectiveness. despite the lame
arm. After being driven to cover early
in one game on his way to the bench
/ heard him make this remark, and he
did it with all seriousness. 1t was some
compliment to Speaker.
When they sold Speaker he took so
per cent of my stuff with him."