The Alaska citizen., 1916-02-07

as players express il; anything, that Is. except velocity. Mccormick, a big, ruddy Irishman, with an ingra- tiating smile. had both great speed and sweeping curves. Dropping for a moment into tatistiCs-whiCh all true fans despise-I believe it is on record that in one season Mccormick pitched 72 games.
 John ClarkSon was as much the idol of the National league fans, 25 or more years ago, as is the mighty MathewSon the idol of the fans of all leagues today. And it is true that he was much the same kind Of pitcher. But in these days of big pitching corps on every team, Christy never is asked to bear the entire burden of his club, day after day for weeks, in the heat of championship fight, as was Clarkson. But like "Matty," Clarkson put brain above brawn. They called him Handsome John.' and hand some man he was. It was a waste of good money to fix Ladies Day" on occasions when Clarkson was to pitch The ladies came, whether or lot the gate was free. He made 1t point always to walk out on the field in spotless attire. And always there was tucked away in the front of his uniform an im- naculately white silk handkerchief
 One sultry afternoon, John was facing a big, uncouth batter who. between his futile swings at the ball, would draw his redflannel-en- closed right arm across his eyes to wipe away the precipitation. At intervals, John would pull the silk kerchief from it's nestling place and also clear his vision. He had Te- peated this performance several times. when the man at bat snarled at him: Come on and pitch you department-store counterju jumper"
 The Retort Forcefu.
 Clarkson made no other reply than to wind three sharp curves around the perspiring batter's neck. As the man with the red sleeves flung down his bat and moved toward the bench Clarkson, in the gcntlest of voices, called out to him: Better get one of these hand kerchiefs, Jake They are a lot better than red flannel for improv- ing the sight"
 One evening in Boston after he had pitched and won a 12-nninS game, which was his fourth victory for the week, he said to a friend:
 Say, old man, would you mind taking this comb and brush and strengthening out my hair? Honestly, cant lift this right arm of mine up to my head" Right after din her he went to the room of the clubs trainer to have his arm mas saged, and tie next day he was in the box again. Yes, and won his game, too.
 Not a few of the more than 150 veterans to whom the nearly halfa- century-old question was aimed, would hear to none other than the mighty Amos Rusie as the greatest pitcher of all time. For his mi raculous speed he is famous in the minds of the fans who watched for this speed and nothing else. But ball players say that his sharp curve ball, that broke almost direct ly over the plate. was even harder to hit than was his fast ball. They are willing to go on record as say ing that on two occasions Whe1 Treadway, of the old Brooklyns, was at the plate, his feet far apart in his customary position when bat ting, this amazing inshoot thrown by the mighty Amos darted swiftly from the plate and whizzed between the batter's legs.
 Give Rusie a dark day and lit tie ball, and woe to the team that was seeking better batting ave rage. In his day the league balls were made In two sizes. Often, too, in those days, one ball only was used throughout the game. It Was part of the official scorers duty to toss out the ball. and 1t was op- tional with him whether the little ball or the big ball was put in play. When the old New York team ap- peared on the field at Pittsburg for a series one day. the sun was obscured and storm clouds hung low over the diamond. The man who was then captain of the Pitts burg team told the story. eff it's Amos today I said to John Gruber, give him the big ball. If it's any body else, it don't matter
 "The score card said German, or Rusie for New York So out came the little ball. But when the game