Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-06
|INC|DEN7S0F
MAKING OF
BASEBALL
HISTORY

Detroit, Mich. March 3.-Ohcial
announcement recently that the De-
troit American league baseball club
will meet the New York Nationals in
exhibition games, at Dallas, Texas.
March Is and 26. is causing much in
terest among local fans. A diamond
duel between two famous ball players
one whom fandom generally has
crowned King and the other who was
the champion batsman Of the Federal
league-will probably take place when
the Tigers and Giants clash.
Ty Cobb Detroit's centertielder, who
has grown to regard the premier bat
ting honors of the American league as
personal property, will have his first
opportunity to match his skill and
wits with those Of Benny kauff. The
latter's great record at bat and in the
outfield for Brooklyn, caused numerous
baseball writer's to refer to him as the
Cobb Of the Federal league
When the independent organization
went out Of existence, kauff was pur-
chased by the New York Nationals.
Although he has had differences over
salary with Manager McGraw, it is
generally believed that Kauff will be in
the New York lineup, not only during
the training season. but as regular
during the 1916 campaign. Manager
Jennings, of the Tigers, granted Cobb
permission to report at the Waxa-
hachie, Tex, training camp this
spring, whenever he felt like it. 1t
seems certain that Cobb will not do
much spring training as he has said
that such conditioning WeakenS him
during the crucial autumn games but
some Of Cobbs closest friends, who
live in Detroit, assert that he will be
in that Dallas series, if he has to walk
from Georgia.
Kauff has never played in Detroit
but numerous stories have come to the
Tiger camp concerning his ability
Former Detroit stars. who were with
Federal league clubs last season. have
generally declared that kauff is one of
the greatest batters they have ever
seen. They have not been inclined to
class Kauff with cobb as base run
ner; they have said that Cobb prob
ably is bit more dangerous at bat
because of his versatility, but they ALL
seemingly, have been ready to take is
sue with any declaration that kauff is
not the greatest natural batsman in
the game.
Local writer's and followers of the
Detroit club. who have regularly
watched Cobb in action, have pointed
out that his greatest feats have been
achieved against clubs or individual
players of championship calibre. a
few Of these, which have helped make
baseball history. follow:
Scoring from first base on single
and scoring from second on sacrlhce
fly to center field, in the same series,
against the Philadelphia Athletics,
who then were worlds champions.
Scoring from first base on single
at the expense of Hal Chase, playing
first base for New York, Chase thought
Cobb would attempt his usual trick OF
turning third and then returning to
third base. Chase. after putting out
the runner coming to first. threw to
third. cobb out guessed him ana
sprinted home.
In close game against Boston,
Cobb took a long lead off third base.
Cobb deliberately stood on the base
line until the catcher started his throw.
Then he turned and sprinted FOE third
base but. being accidentally" mt by
the ball. scored-and the catcher was
charged with an error.
Walter Johnson Is quite generally
referred to as the most effective
pitcher in the American league, when
the game depends upon single play.
An American league umpire delights
in telling story of a close game, when
Cobb faced Johnson in one of the last
innings. Detroit had the bases hlled'
two men were out. Cobb, it is claimed
walked toward johnson. and SAID
well, Walter. here's the chance
both of US have been looking for NO"
we can decide who has the most
nerve.'
johnson pitched. The 1.-THE body OF
the Georgian hurled itself forward.
The ball flashed to the outtield. Three
men scored.
Cobb pulled up at third and noticing
that johnson seemed rather downcast'
used his hands as a megaphone, ano'
according to the umpire, said:
"Never mind. Walter, old boy. You
pitched that ball so fast I never saw
IT. l lust shut my eyes and slammed.