El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-09-16

M time when little leagues all
= over the country are ending
their scheduled seasons and the majors
are taking star players from the min
OTIS Many a heralded phenon is prov
frg a bust in his first days in the big
show, but not all OF them. One youth
who has just two weeks experience
with the New York Giants has proved
already that he has the goods
Three weeks ago. when John Nc
Graw traded Fred Merkle away. send
ing him 10 Brooklyn in exchange for
Lew McCarty, the big catcher. it looked
to many Gotham fans as though the
Giants would present a pretty weak
front at first base. Several substi-
tutes tried the post but failed utterly.
At this juncture. young Walter
Holke. who had been playing with
Rochester. Joined the Giants. The New
York club had Kept a string on him
ever since the fall of 1914. when HoIke
got a brief tryout with the team.
HOlke reported TO the Giants two
since.
He's the Whole Key.
The name Of HOlke is pronounced
whole key" and some punsters declare
he Is the whole key to the situation.
He has played like a Hal Chase at
first base and has slammed the ball
Ike Cobb He is crack base run
ner, too.
In one respect this Holke IS unique
He is the only man in the big leagues
today who can bat as well from one
side of the plate as the other Sucn
actors are 50 rare they are regarded
almost as freaks. Whenever a right
handler in pitching. Holl1e is a left
handed batter. With a southpaw on
- he efd n he
really can bat During his first week
IN the National league he rang UP an
average Of -5e6, or managed 70 get a
hit more than half the times he faced
Hes Sensation for Fair.
George SiSler Of the Browns and
Rogers Hornsby Of the Cardinals were
the sensations among the years crop
OF youngsters until this boy happened
along. They still remain sensations.
rated as stars Of the first calber by
ROW. but the surprise incidental TO
their work has passed since they are
known quantities
Holke is a big German-Americal
youth who halls from St Louis, where
he learned the game on the back lots.
Following a brief experience in the I
sticks. he came up for inspection BY I
McGraw in late September two years I
ago He looked like most promising I
newcomer but lacked polish. Exper- /
fence was needed badly in his case, 50 /
McGraw shunted him into the Inter /
nauunaL league n TN teOcueSLeIs d
Holke had been doing so well that 4
McGraw decided he was ready for use. /
Hits Them Any Old Way.
This lad seems to be without a (
weakness At the bat he is versatile I
beyond the more ability to operate /
from either side Of the plate He can I
lay down a bunt like a veteran can Z
hang them against or over the fence +
occa sionally, rapS out those ringing :
butts that tear through or Just over I
the infield and can start like q blue 4
streak from his half crouch position !
when bent on beating out an infield I
roller. Moreover, he hits to all fields {
alike. no matter from what side he IS I
batting The fielder don't know where I
TO play for him No two or his hits /
q bout every different kind that is N +
the book On top of all this he is a 1
good judge OF balls and strikes. sell (
dom biting at bad ones and earning 4 4
good share Of free transportation. I
Spectacular in the Field.
Holke is just q efficient in MS work 4
IN the field and just as balanced 1
PLAYER The first requisite Of a first 4
aseman-Wherein a first baseman I
differs from other players-ls an aoll- !
hold II firmly and at the same time /
keep his foot on the bag ~ this i'm
nOrtant trick HOlke has proved every
hi as speCta cular as Merkle and Is 3
perhaps better because his greater
height enables him TO take some
throws that Merl1le could not quite
reach He handles grounders TO his
POSITION nicely. has q good snappE
throwing arm and is swift at speeding
10 his bag after being out Of post
wheeling Was over the Limit.
A little item printed recently about
the Central league TO the effect that
TIE president declared forfeited two !