Evening journal., 1916-09-02
BASEBALL IS BETTER
With FEDERALS OUT
Players Get Away From
Disorganizing Effects, Not
Afraid of Averages
NEW SECOND BASE
STAR LOOMING UP
By HAMILTON.


baseball TINS year ~ ''lhPhi -" N
game put up in 1915 and 1914, has
shown a vast improvement, not only In
the major leagues, but in the smaller
organizations.
prominent manager of the big
leagues. discussing this condition, today
declared It is due to the demise OF the
Federal League.
"The disorganizing effect Of the Fed
eral League upon ball players Of all
classes was remarkable he declared.
"A good baseball player, unless he was
most conscientious, would not give his
beet efforts a year ago. He figured that
any time he got dissatisfied with his
plsce on a certain club, or If the man
arer Of the club threatened him, he
could 20 70 the Federal League. ms
was to a certain extent, true.
GAS a result of this condition we aad
loatinr players who dragged their play
until the spectators were thoroughly
disguised They wouldn't go after a
hard chance. for they were afraid they
would make an error and spoil their
averages
"rhis year everything has changed.
The old competition has returned and
baseball again has assembled the pm
naole il slipped from, or from where u
was pushed by the Feds The players
again are hustling and fans are getting
run Tor their money.
Apparentlv this manager, who would
NOT allow the use of his name, knew
what he was talking about. Certain It
Is that the games have been played IN
quicker time this year than in the two
nrecedinr ones. and IL Is certainty
that baseball is enjoying prosperity IN
the two big leagues 1t hasn't known Tor
two seasons.
The defeat of the Federal League also
has removed competition from the two
major leagues, and this has helped swell
attendance. Also many touted stars IN
the Federal League have taken their
places among the American and Ma
tional League players and this has help
ed 10 revive interest.
Next year will probably see baseball
arain established az the height OF the
prosperity and popularity It enjoyed IN
1912.
A new star has flashed among the
great second basemen In the Ameri-
can League.
Buried among the substitutes on the
bench Of the New York Yankees and
used as an outhelder. a first baseman
and a pinch hitter. Charlie Mullen, a.
short time ago got into the game as a
second baseman after he had formed a.
habit Of breaking up games with hits
in the pinches.
Niullen's hitting during the conval-
escence of number OF the New York
stars was the real bright spot in the
playing of that club. He first jumped
into prominence in gene against
Detroit. when he doubled with two
runners on and tied the score. Event
ually New York won that game
Again. in New York. two runners
we're on the sacks in a game with
Cleveland and New York needed two
runs 10 tie the score.
Mullen was sent in TO hit for the
pitcher and responded with a double
against the left field wall which sent
the tieing runs across.
Mullen was sent TO second base
few days later to supplant Joe Gedeon,
whose hitting since the first few
weeks of the season has been practi-
cally nil Mullen's first days work as
a regular consisted OF three hits, one
OF them sending the winning runs
across the rubber That game helped
send Chicago down in the percentage
column.
Mullen has been generally regarded
as a first baseman No one knew he
could play the central station until
last winter. when the All Stars made
their trip west He played regularly
at second base on that trip and did a
fair Job of il.
He was discovered" by Charles
Comiskey when he was playing first
base on the wonderful Seattle High
School team, which made a trip across
the country several years ago. Comis-
key signed the youngster. and when
he showed up the following wear at
the Chicago Park Comiskey sent him
TO Lincoln, Neb., where he played
couple Of years and then became man
ager Of the club.
Mullen managed the club all OF one
year. and was starting on his second
season when Arthur Irwin recon-
mended his purchase by the New York
club. Mullen was hitting $40 at that
time and leading Westedn League bat
tiers. The owner Of the Lincoln club
didn't like to part with his manager.
but deal was finally arranged, the
Yankees stipulating that Mullen
should hit $50 or better TO being a
certain price Mullen's last dav OF
play boosted his average 10 exactly
$50.
The advent of Wally Pipp as a ma
jor Lacquer beat Charley out Of the
Yankee out OF basing job. for Pipp
Immediately showed such class as a
matter that he was given the initial
sack to guard His hitting this year
however. has been far below Mullen's
average and his blows have not beer
so timely. Mullen is considered T;
frst-olass fielding first baseman.
At second base, however. he has be
gun TO shine. and IL now appears h'
will have the call on that station I
the Yankees succeed in winning
their way back to leadership in the
American League race II will be large
ly through his efforts. The fans II
New York are proclaiming him one
Of the most popular players who evel
wore a Yankee uniform.
n-4 /.