El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-03-14
DOpngt the 1916 Baseball With Hugh S. Fullerton
VII-Amercan League Third Basemen
Bv HUGH S. FULLERTON.
Third Basemen.

of the list they are many points strong
er The securing Of Pick, who played
third for Richmond last season. makes
the Athletics so much more promising
than they were that it is encouraging
the entire league
Baker No Great Player.
The big trade, of course, was in the
Yankees securing Frank Baker. Now
I have figured this as carrying Goals
to Newcastle. Baker is not, never was
and never will be great ball player.
He hit some home runs in a worlds series
and became hero He is not smart
man. not a good man for a ball club.
and the only thing you can say for him
is that he can hit 1t is even a question
whether he will hit much this season. I
think he will hit pretty well. As third
baseman he is rather a joke He Is flat
footed. anchored to the base. not good
at cutting in on slow Founders. and
only fair in coming forward after hunts.
OF course he strengthens the Yanks be-
cause il gives Donovan chance to use
Maisel. who is far the superior OF
Baker as 4 ball player, in some other
position, perhaps at short
I don't know whether Maisel can play
short or not. But I do know that with
Maisel batting ahead OF Baker and get
ting on and running the bases, the
Yanks will be one dangerous ball club.
Let me interpOlate Two years ago the
Yanks were rather joke under Frank
Chance. Last year we considered them
better Yet their defensive work two
years ago was better than 1t was last
year II they can get the defensive
work that Chance got out of them cou-
pied with the offensive strength they
ought to have now-the punch" they
bought Baker to get-that team ought
to be way up.
Chicago shows Improvement.
Chicago is the other club showing
big improvement in the third base line.
II only I could be certain that Rowland
would size up the situation in correct
proportions and decide at once to play
McMillen at third all year. would add
q number OF points to the third base
strength Of the Sox. McMillen is the
best youngster, in view of the want he
fills, that is coming into the major
leagues this year. This fellow is one of
the best young ball players in the coun-
try. The SoX must nave new third
baseman, yet it seems they are not yet
seriously considering McMillen. Here is
\ confession: If 1 were manager Of the
White SOX today. I would rather have
McMillen than Frank Baker. Is that
strong enOugh2 1 have figured this
kid to play 10 games at third, and
the others ] have given to George MORT
arity. who is a world OF strength be-
cause of his steadiness and experience.
Further, I expect Moriarity to be one of
the first to boost McMillen as the regu-
lar third baseman of the SOX.
Gardner Has Gone Back.
Gardner. one of the finest fellows in
the game, has slipped considerably from
n mechanical standpoint He has slipped
so far. in fact, that l am calculating
that JanVrin will play 40 games at third
for the Red Sox. Larry Gardner is a
transformed second baseman who found
third basing so easy that he became a
world beater Last season he slipped
on coming forward after hunts and
seemed to lose his speed and keenness
l know part of the cause but the cause
does not matter. We are seeking ef-
fects.
Foster Ranks Second
Foster of Washington, must be ranked
second among the third basemen and
perhaps he might he rated first, depend
ing upon the way in which Donovan
solves his third base problem. If Eos
ter plays third all the time and looks
upon il as his regular job. he is the
most effective man. save Maisel. in the
American league. It is rather surprise