New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-23
Prospective Giant Feels
Sorry for National
League Twirlers.
WILL MAKE TY COBB
LOOK LIKE BUSHER
"if Doyle Hit 1920" the Ex-Fed
Star Declares, "rll Hit 400;
They Must Go Safe"

There are two sorts Of ogoism-tho
sort which attracts and that which
repcls. Benny Kauf, who may be tho
centre fielder Of the Giants if he comes
to terms with the club and then man
ages to make the team, Is an egoist.
Whether he would attract or repel de-
ponds on your disposition. But he Is
an eRoist. To talk 70 Kauf. or. rather,
to listen to Kauf. for you must listen,
would be most convincing that in the
mind Of Benny Kauf Benny Kauf Is
the centre Of everything, and that IL
nothing else exists he does.
Not long ago Benny called at the
Offices Of tho Federal League and told
the baseball writers Just what he in
tended to DO when he joined the New
York Giants. At that time Benny was
still the property Of the Federal
League, but he knew that the Giants
were bidding for his services. He
knew, too, that he would be the great
est ball player who ever joined the
National League. He admitted that he
was the king of all outfelders and the
greatest slugger who ever lifted base
ball bat.
Benny, do you think you'll make the
team II you are bought By the Giants? 2
Mr.. Kauf was asked. The QUITE der
snorted, gurgled and made inarticulste
noises. Then he recovered his com
posure and his vocabulary simulta-
neouslv and burst forth in wild
panegyric on Benny Kauf.
"Mui | make that team p he de-
manded. well, III make them all for
get that a guy named Ty Cobb ever
pulled on a baseball shoe. III make
them think that baseball never was
played until Benny Kauif stepped into
the game. III hit so many balls into
the grandstand that the management
will have 70 put screens up In front to
protect the fans and save the money
that lost balls would cost
iii stand a. the home plate and bust
them into the centre field stands. They
say that Joe Jackson hit the longest
home run ever made on the grounds
when he lifted one over the right field
stand. III make that drive look sick.
and III do it so often that 1t will be
commonplace.
you guys (he referred 10 the news
paper mem have never written good
baseball story in your lives. Well, III
keep you busy. There's going TO be
many good story written about the
Giants next summer, and most OF them
will be about Benny kautf"
well, seriously. do you think that
YOU will hit .3i4 in the National
League? You know. they have some
good pitchers up there"
"Hit theml" he exploded; "ITl muir
der them. Say, Larry Doyle led the
league this year with an average Of
800. II he hit 1920 I'll hit 400. They
all look alike 20 me-left- handed or
right-handed; step up there and slap
them on the nose. They go safe
they've got to go safe the way bust
them"
But you must have some weakness.
There must be some ball you can't hit"
we ventured.
weakness ?" he said with a depreca-
tory shrug of his shoulders, sure I've
got weakness. When they don't put
the ball over the plate walk to first
base Then | get only one base. But
if they put them over, or nearly over
crown them. If they try curve
ball | poke it, swing on the fast
ones. If they put them low. | golf
them out Of the lot, and line The high
ones into the stands.
"Why, say" he went on. never stop
ping for breath. 81 remember one day
when we were playing the Fielders out
in St. Louis Big Dave Davenport was
pitching. and he shot a couple at my
bean. Hey | yelled to him. here's
my beam and he fell for the game. He
shot another at me. and | pulled back
and hit it right over the fence. Yes, sir.
laced the old bean ball right out of the
lot That's the kind of a guy am"
Have you any particular weight Of
bat? One that you favor?" he was
asked.
"Say." he replied, 81 could take a
broom straw and bust those pitchers.
Any old stick looks good to me. And
as for those pitchers, ! could take the
bat in my teeth and hit 300. They're
all alike 20 me.
81 had three dozen bats turned for
me last fall. and they will be ready for
delivery this spring. III make three
dozen hits with every one OF those bats,
and figure that ought TO give enough
to lead the league.
81 belong with the Giants" he per-
sisted. "McGraw is great manager
I know he is a great manager | am a
great udAl p9agci' anu 'iSNA"" h''N'S
am a great ball player
"And I'm not going to conhne my
efforts to fielding" he ambled along
81 can get those drives no matter where
they're hit, and when | throw them in
almost take the hands off the tielders
They won't 20 from first to third on
me. No. sir"
4 statement Of that sort from any
other man but Kauf might turn one
against him. but Benny's record JUST
ties his confidence in his own ability
He has been playing in the North since
1910. and has hit over 300 four times
IN 1910, with Bridgeport, he turned in
a card of .29i. and in 1912, with Hart
ford. he beat the leather for .32l.
Kauff did not play the entire season OF
1912 with Hartford, but worked ir
twenty-nine games with Brockton.
where he had his worst run Of luck.
He averaged a paltry .20S. In 1913.
however, he came INTO his own, ard
with the Hartford team he Clipped
the fences and hit .345. With the Ind
annapolis Feds he hit 1866 in 1914. aud
last year with Brooklyn he hit .3i4.
His fielding and base running are Of
Lio,b order "a we'll and he may be the