Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-01-23
FOUUNIER is SOX MYSTERY
Pants Rowland Finds 1t Problem
What~to Do with French Boy
Who Slugs Three-Sackers.
BUT JACQUES CANNOT FIELD


For the last two years White sox base
ball fans have had arguments regarding
the ability of Jack Fourier, the sturdy
and heavy hitting French boy OF Comis-
keys squad of warriors. They all agree
that he can hit and they all agree that
he is poor fielder and the argument
starts when some one says the sox would
be bette. of TO keep him out OF the
game except as a pinch hitter.
AS q matter of fact, Manager Row.
land has faced the same problem and
tried Il both ways, and Indications are
that he will. face Il again next spring and
perhaps try both ways again. The fans
like Fourier because he always shows a
fighting spirit and they know he Is try
ing desperately TO win the bali game and,
a the same time increase his batting
average. -@' rf
After many stories had been printed
exploiting the batting prowess OF Four
nier and deploring his weakness in the
field, the young player grew self-con-
scious and for time last season was
- nervous that his fielding became even
worse, in fact, so bad that finally Le
was taken out SO that he might gain
peace OF mind ap
There was ono day hat the French
boy had a comeback. for things went
quite the reverse. The team was play
ing in Philadelphia and Jack Fournler
went to bat lour times and got nary
blow. He famed twice and popped UP
couple OF weak flies and as batter
looked. I'll only fora class ID leaEdes
r 4H- the~fteld--thatl ray -hevwas sensa-
ton. He nabbed several wild throws 10
first base. some of thom necessarily with
one hand. He scooped hot grounder
and pegged a runner out at the plate
and he stabbed roller shot to sec
ond for force play and completed a
double play at first At all times he han
died himself in a way that would have
made Hal Chase jealous
Loves His HTS.
After the players had returned 10 their
hotel and had eaten dinner Jack strolied
out in front. where bunch Of his mates
were gathered. Taking a position near
them he addressed the following remark
to an imaginary companion:
"Do you know Mr.. jacques Fournier OF
the White sox7 He's a great fellow and
you ought TO meet him. He's a rotten
fielder. but he sure can hit that pill"
Perhaps there never was a ball player
who loved a base hit more than does
Foprnier. When he Is hitting IN his regu-
lar stride he's as gay and happy as a
school boy. But II he gets into a slump
and goes a couple or three days without
blow, II is unpleasant TO be in his com.
pany
Once last spring the Sox were engaged
in four days session against1the Tigers
ir Detroit and Fournisr went hitless for
the first three days When the fourth
day arrived he was all unstrung and any
one who crossed him was in danger Of
being punched IN the Jaw. Three times
that afternoon he went to bat and failed
to land the ball 10 safe. ground. Finally
the fourth time up he hit one on the nose
right over second base. as pretty a line
drive as one would care TO see.
BiE story Spoiled.
The sox left Detroit that night for st.
Louis and after the train was we'll under
1 way Fourier Jeined a group Of war
seribes in the smoking compartment
Well, fellows" he said. IT nearly had
great story FOR you to send 70 the Chi
cage papers, That blow I got the last
time up spoiled II. When I walked up 70
the plate that time had made up my
mind that II didn't get a hit I would
end It all tonight by diving through the
car window after the train got up speed.
I'm sorry had to disappoint you ON the
story"
When the war broke out in Europe