The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-07-28

still remains with the club directed
by Moley.
The jinx of losing the old ball games
was shaken for time and while the
Barons were free from it they played
great ball. climbed within striking dis
lance of the first division. And now
when good opportunity waits US, the
old jinx reappears. Well, such is life,
and we have to take it.
Eddie Mcdonald had a bad day yes
terday and Eddie's off-day in the field
cost the Barons ball game. Follow
ing the game, discussion was free on
the topic. Practically every fan that
could be heard to express his opinion
on the matter was strong against Ed
die. The two wild throws of the Baron
leader practically defeated the Moleys.
Eddie knew it as we'll as any of the
fans who were so hot on his trail.
Eddie regretted the incident more
than any of the fans. He has the
Barons at heart, and defeat to the
team means lo5 to a fellow playing
every day. Eddie is the sort of fell
low that would risk his life if he
thought that ball game could be won.
He's got the spirit of the game
throughout and now that he's getting
a little stale, the fans hop his neck
at the slightest incident.
Eddie has spent his prime days in
Baron uniform. In 1913 he was rated
as the best player in the league. He
fielded grand, and hit the ball hard.
That was his best year in the national
pastime. In 1914, Eddie was again sta
toned at the hot corner, and was
largely instrumental in the Barons
winning the rag. He showed but slight
decrease in hitting or fielding, but his
contract expired and he went to At
lanta for bigger salary. Last year
he had a fine season with the Crack
ers under Billy Smith, almost as good
as in 1913. This spring President Smith
and Moley in looking for competent
field leader selected Mcdonald.
Eddie's arm is slightly weakened
from the long years of service on the
diamond. Eddie's errors have cost the
Barons but few games this season, and
yesterday was one of the very few
Just take a glance back over the
games this season. Mcdonald is vet
eran at the game He's the very man
needed on an infield of youngsters like
the one Moley has at the present.
Fans in knocking Eddie don't re-
member how many games he has put
In ha win 90
player in the league who can work
the hidden BALI trick successfully.
He has saved as many As half
dozen games for the Barons this sea-
son by using this play on the opposi-
ton. Other incidents where Eddie
has been of value to the Barons could
be named, but what's the use. The
majority of the fans like Eddie. 1t
takes a close follower of the game to
understand his play.
The greater part of Eddies play is
never seen by the fans. The average
spectator can't see through his play
ing simply because they don't under
stand the fine workings of the game.
Any manager in the league will readily
name Mcdonald as one of the most
valua BILE players in the league. Moley
knows it, and the grouchy fans that
receive no aid from the mana cement.
The fans don't know what they want.
Last year, the bleacherites and fans
of the grandstand as well, insisted on
the canning of Roy ELAN. Now they
are calling" Moley and Boss Smith
from letting him go. If Eddie was
fired and went to some other club in
the league, the chorus of I'VE ought
boI 1-an inn would Of q T.
Fans should show their appreciation
of the invaluable services Eddie Nc
Donald has rendered the Birmingham
club and cease the hammering. 1t
won't do any good as Eddie is on
third for the remainder of the season.
Dick Robertson. the star Baron spit
ter, did not return from Toledo yes
terday, as expected, but will remain
under the care of Bonesetter Reese
until Saturday when he reports to the
Barons. Dicks arm showed some
slight tendency of developing into a
serious stage, and Moley deemed it
advisable to allow Dick to remain
under the specialists care until cured.
Dick will join the Moley squad to-
morrow, but will not get into the
game until the Nashville SERIES which
starts sunday. LICK may leHS lHol
his stay in Toledo by reporting to
Moley at Nashville Sunday intsead of
coming to Birmingham tomorrow and
then going to Nashville with the team
Fred Derrick is playing under a big
handicap these days Sir Fred was
seriously spiked in Tuesdays game in
Atlanta, the third toe on his left foot
being almost cut completely off. Mo-
ley Is a wonder when it comes to
handling this sort of injuries. and has
the injured toe on the road to recov-
cry.
A peculiar incident happened in the
fourth inning of yesterdays game.
Mcdowell was safe to open the in
ming on Kid Caton's error. Schmidt
then forced Mcdowell Swacina forced
Schmidt and Wilson forced Swacina
Three fielders' choices in one inning
seldom happens.
Pug Cavet. the star performer of
the LOwly Gulls, was the joke of
yesterdays game Pug, who is the
star twirler of the Schmidtmen, and