Evening star., 1916-12-24

him his man is worth the price. 1t Is
certainly not the averages. nor the per
centage column. nor apparent perform
ances which tell the players worth to
the scouts eye.
Clark Griffith once sent Mike Kahoe
to Minneapolis in the American As
on that club reported to be a wonder
full player. Although the PLAYER IN
question made FIVE hits out of nVe
times at bat the day he was watched,
he was passed UP as being useless.
Right on the back OF that kahoe went
to Montreal. watched Gandii In one
game. and. although he failed to hit
safely. advised his club to pay $lo.ooo
and in addition give two pitchers and an
infielder for him. either of whom prob
ably could have been sold for 5000 or
$4,000. Gandii was bought. and pc
came one of the stars of the American
League. Can you explain IT!
If an infielder, minor Lacquer must
be fast and able to run bases with
judgment. must be quick thinker
cover much ground and hit fairly well.
The prime requisites of an outfielder
must be consistent hitting ability
without that attribute there is not
much chance for the player holding
down a garden position to get trial in
either the American or National League
The outfielder must be fast, good
fielder and an accurate thrower Then.
there are two other things which gov
ern a selection-whether or not the
Some men quail and fail to perform
creditably under the TRADE of jargon
that Is hurled at them, and such men
are not wanted. They would soon be
driven out of the league. After a man
has passed a certain age he has little
chance to get a job in the highest class
of base ball. The hunt is ever for
young men. and they are the ones who
receive the consideration of the scout.
Several scouts may be in town
be passed up by all but one. who recon-
mends that his club buy him. The club
does SO. and the man passed up by the
majority becomes a great performer.
They all saw what he apparently could
do. and yet only one thought him good
enough to buy. Why did they not all
think him worth while? There is but
one answer to the questionable per-
sonal equation, that indef1nable factor.
the possession or lack of which makes
or unmakes the man who is being paid
| salary to find ball players commen-
surate with that received by United
States senator.
Such men. as those who are absolute
successes as scouts are few and far be-
tween. and when found by big league
managers are held, no matter what the
cost. They get big salaries: SO do any
other sixty seventy-five men who are
the only ones in the world really capable
of accomplishing what is wanted by big
business institutions. 1t is well paid
profession, but the men who are success
full in it are worth every penny they re-
ceive.
1t is upon the work Of the scout that
the success of the major league ball club
in great measure depends. If he is un
failing in his Judgment, and shrewd
enough to get options players before
others ge. the opportunity. there is not
much likelihood that the team for which
he Is working will be without good new
| material to take the places of veterans
when they fail.
And Notwithstanding the difficulties of
his profession. the scout is generally in
the background. There are few times that
he gets the credit due him when big deals
are consummated, and ii is most al
| ways the manager who is lauded for re-
placing the worn-out cogs in the ma
chinery which must be near perfect to be
| a success The scout is the man behind
the throne in base ball