The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-03
DIAMOND FLASHES

Although Cleveland has been on the big league map since 1879, the Ohio metropolis has never achieved a pen nant in the majors. The Foest City was in the National from '79 to '84, l and during the six years the best the club did was to finish sixth In 1883 Cleveland was restored to the National and remained in that circuit until l1899 During the eleven years of the second venture Cleveland was the run ner-up in three seasons, but couldn't t grab the bunting. In the Johnson 1 league the best the Indians have ac- compIished was to finish second in 1908 when Napoleon Lajoie was at the helm CIeveland's major league 1 is even worse than that of Cincinnati, for the southern Ohio city did cop a banner in the old American Associa- l tion back in 'S2-
 A lot of experts are predicting that George Sisler, of the St. Louis Ameri- can League baseball club, will prove to be another Ty Cobb.' George is only twenty-two years old and a native l of Ohio. He was a twirler for the Akron club and the University of | Michigan nine before Branch Hickey 1 lured him to the Mound City, but he can do everything there is to be done on a ball lot. and do it we'll
 Nap Fucker, the great Georgia southpaw, has been having a lot of trouble with his left shoulder of late. and the chances are that when. his contract expires at the close of this season. he will return to his Georgia home to stay Rucker developed a very baff1ing- slow ball which was the despair of the swatters when it was going right, but Nap appears to have oF hi 0ffn weapon Uncle Wi1bert has lot of good slabsters left, however, so he isn't worrying about the probable loss of Fucker.
 Fielder Jones has been hailed as a great baseball engineer, and doubtless he is, but it is also evident that he is able to double rear brakeman l Napoleon Lajoie ,- pronounced l EsI.ash-way''-is now the oldest major l Ieaguer in captivity, in point of ser vice, since Rhody Wallace quit the game. Nap started in with Pittsburgh | in 1898, while it was a year later that Honus Wagner got his big show start with the Louisville Colonels. Craw- l ford stands third on the roll of active veterans, breaking into the national | nuisance with the Reds in '99.
 Rupe Mills, the Newark Federal League baseball club, has developed a new idea in solitaire baseball. Rupert had a $3,000 contract with Newark, and refused to compromise, so Pat Powers insisted that he go out to the Newark grounds every day and earn This salary. On favorable days Rupe takes his morning practice regularly,
 and in the afternoons he plays regu- liar games all by himself, covering all
 nine positions as we'll as he is able and also acting as umpire. So far
 Player Mills has never been sent to
 the showers by Umpire Mills for kick ing on a decision. Of course, the at-
 tendance Is very poor, and consists entirely of deadheads. but Rupe should
 worry.
 Former Yankees are very prevalent
 in the Pacific Coast League. Not only lare there two former New York pilots now leading Coast League clubs
 Frank Chance of the Angelic Choir
 and Harry Wolverton of the Seals but Harry Wolter is still cavorting in
 a Los Angeles uniform and Jack War hop, the veteran Tank h1rler, 1s pitching for Salt Lake. Warhop was lgiven his unconditional release by the