South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-10-21
ALEXANDER, IDEAL
BASEBALL PLAYER
Says Biggest Factor in His
Success is the Support OF
of His Teammates.
BY Frank &. Menkc.

Pat Moran once said:
Grover Cleveland Alexander I!
the ideal ball player-and tbs
model man"
And those who know Alex on tbs
ball field and off. chant an amen
Alexander typifies all that is gooC
and great in BASEBALL; all that i.
good and clean in man. Praise
never has turned his head He IL
the same modest. unassuming char
now i'm the days of his pitchins
reign that he was on the day he
broke into the big league back il
1911
What has been the biggest fac
tor in your success as "A pitcher p
we once asked him. And Alex re
piled:
THE support of my teammates.
But you. yourself have been 2
big factor in all those games yoJ
have won" VIC persisted
Not a big one; only a cog in the
machine that has gone through t.
victory" was the reply. When q
team wins game. the majority
give the credit TO the pitcher. Tha'
is unjust 10 the other players. Fol
instance: What would il avail me
If I pitched shut-out ball and the
boys supporting me didn't hit enough
TO drive in runs2''
Alex Praises Mates.
when a pitcher gets away Will
"A low-hit game he is praised fol
what is called his achievement. Blu
why should he be given all TN,
credit? His mates have been equal
ly responsible for the triumph
fielding that killed off many seem
ing hits? Wasn't IL their fast. clear
fielding that saved the pitcher a
critical moments.
"A pitcher always gets the best Of
IL in the records. His good work i:
perpetuated. while that of his mates
who helped 10 make his showing
possible is ignored. For instance
the records Of 1916 will show thai
l established a new mark in shut
out victories. But there isn't a line
TO show how the boys helped me tC
do it. not a notation that will tel
the future generation who 1t wa!
that made it possible for me TO beat
the old mark.
1T is unjust to the other boys or
our team that / should monopoliz,
the honor II never would have
been possible for me TO do what
was done if l hadn't been accorded
perfect support--if the boys behind
me hadn't played superb base ball.
Mates Idolize Alex.
II is this spirit of Alex. the un-
selfishness. this modesty that has
made him loved by his teammates
And il is because they hold him in
such high esteem-almost venera
tion-that they play almost super.
human baseball behind him. With
Alex on the mound, the Phillies PLAY
a game beyond themselves; Ale,
inspires them much as washington
inspired his men in rs: Stonewal
Jackson, Grant Sheridan anC
Dewey inspired theirs.
Oftentimes fans have gone TO tn,
Phillies' hotel when the team wa.
on the road. They have wanted e
see Alex at close range But rarelN
have they done so. Alex never /,
conspicuous in the Hobbies. Usually
he is in his room on the few oc
casiOns when he is abroad" h,
usually is in some secluded corner.
Alex not only does not court tn,
spotlight, but he shuns il.
4 Word To Youngsters.
What advice would you give {,
young pitehers?" we asked.
'Watch-and work" was the re
ply. "A youngster has much t,
learn in the big leagues, no matter
how much natural talent he ma,
have. He must watch how tn,
older men do it-and watch then
closely. Ana he never must stoJ
studying his profession.
A pitcher must be willing I,
work. not only in turn but out. n,
should be ready-always-to Civ,
the best that is in him to his club.
And there's one thing more tina
is necessary for pitchers success
That is good habits. Ball playin,
Is a business. Nc man in business
can make a success OF himself i
l..