The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1916-08-09
Dawson Proves Supremacy in Big Four Circuit


er, good base runner and a timely
hitter. At all times was he in the
game, and proved his worth by his
keen observation, his knowledge of
baseball and the fight that he instilled
into the players.
Our catching was complete with J.
K. Harper and George Wilkes. Har-
per, although a youngster, was as
cool and deliberate as an old head. He
was in the game at all times and his
display of nerve was remarkable.
One year has made much improve
ment in his hitting, but IL was not in
this art that he was most valuable.
His pegging, his judgment of batters
and his never-dying spirit made him
more valuable than others who are.
more adept in the art of hitting. He
is ripe for class A college ball. and
we predict a brilliant future for him.
AS for the other member of the
catching department, he is an old
head, having played in class G ball,
and his inside knowledge of the game
was help to the younger members
of the club.
First base proved to be a hard po-
sition to fill. Henry Clay Burr was
easily the man for the place and his
hitting and fielding was unparalleled
by any other first baseman in the cir
cult. However, he was recalled to
Atlanta, and after several others had
been tried out and failed to make
good "Tiny" Henderson,. Of Universe
ty of Georgia fame, applied for the
place and added increased strength
to the club both by his hitting and
steady fielding.
Second base was most ably filled
by Rex Sosbee, this years captain
of the Mercer baseball team. He is
valuable fielder and the surest and
most dependable one ever seen on the
| local diamond. He made five errors
out of 200 chances, which is record
| to be proud of.
'Mutt' Rhodes and Gilmore took
care of short, the former playing in
the most games. Mutt was as fast as
CREASED lightning and his squirrel like
| ability to cover territory saved many
hits for his pitcher. He has a good
strong right arm, and it is accurate.
Gilmore is a young player and one
who has the making of a sure-enough
Udl1 prayer. liz 10 al CASSlACII IlClO-
err, but his hitting will have to be i'm
proved upon.
Ike Thrasher's worth was a sure
fact. He is a good first baseman, but
his place was at the heat corner Of
the diamond, where he worked the
mai ority of games. Ike is a sure
! fielder, has an accurate arm and a
321 hitter That he was the best man
in the Big Four at third base will be
agreed upon by all, and his timely
| bingles and long smashes started
many batting rally that eliminated
in a victory for Dawson.
Rucker CHM needs only a few
words. His sterling worth as a man
ager and player has been self-evi-
dent throughout the season and the
Dawson fans appreciate the deep in
terest and loyalty he had for his
team.
By far the most valuable man on
our club was Loren Thrasher. This
| lad deserves more praise and credit
than we have room to write, so we
all know that he is so deeply embedd
ed within the hearts of Dawson fans
that to have a baseball team next
year without him would be like hav-
! ing a house without a roof.
Right field proved to be the most
popular position of all. Numerous
suitors applied for her hand and all
were turned down. Spence of Geor-
gia Tech was the first applicant; then
came Swami, who broke his finger,
and gave way to Moore. The latter
made a most favorable impression,
and as Madame Rumor would say,
wedding bells will soon be heard"
| He was a great help to the club, and
! his batting eye was excellent.
The greatest part of our success
lies in the fact that we had the
strongest hurting staff in the league,
consisting of Wolfe, Wilder, Davis
and Winn. 1t would be hard to name
the best or to rank them according to
| their worth, and we will not attempt
that These men were always ready
and willing to give their best. Babe
| Wilder and Jesse Wolfe won 20 of
the 26 starts. Babe led the league
with nine wins and two losses, while
Wolfe ran him a close second with
II wins and four lost. The former
was never relieved and Wolfe only
! one time Wilder hurled two nO-hit
games during the season.
Davis and VIM did not pitch as
many games as the others, and did
not have as good a record as the 9th
err two, but but they are both above
the 900 mark. These four men had
fine assortment of curves, together
with speed and control, held together
by good heads of nerve and judg-
ment.
These men worked and played to-
gether for two months. They were
as brothers. and the absence of fric-
ton among them was in great part
responsible for their success. May
we have team in 1917, and may the
/ nucleus be formed from these PLAYERS