The Washington times., 1917-02-22
SISLER SHOULD Be
STAR This SEASON
Experience Ought to Make Him
One of the Leagues Best
Drawing Cards.
By JOE VILLA.

expressed the opinf9h that George
sisIer was the best first baseman In
the American League. Jones also
declared that Sisler was in the same
class with Tyrus Raymond Cobb, and
that at the end of the coming season
the Browns first sacker would have
batting average that would COM
pare favorably with the record Of
both Cobb and Iris Speaker.
Sisler played 140 games at first
base last year. He made twenty-four
fielding errors and his percentage was
1885, He was excelled in this respect
by Pipp, Of the Yankees; Gandil, Of :
the Clevelands; McInnis, Of the Ath-
letics. Hoblitzell' OF Gamer OF the
Red Sox; Judge. of the washingtons,
and Heilman, of the Tigers.
Led All I'm Batting.
SisIer, however, led all the Amer.
ican League first basemen in batting
and base running. He hung up bat
ting average OF .305 and stole thirty
four bags. Sisters fielding at times
was sensational. In fact, Jones said
the other day that he frequently saw
Sisler make plays that Hal Chase
could not have excelled-
Sisler. a left handed batsman,
pounded the best pitchers in the John
son circuit and displayed 50 much
natural skill with his war club that
Jones predicted last fall that the
former University of Michigan star
would be one Of the greatest hitters
in baseball history.
Sisler played eighty-one games in
1915 and his batting average was
.2S5. Inasmuch as he batted .305 last
season, Jones believes that he will
continue to improve until he Is rated.
on a par with Speaker and Cobb.
whose 1916 percentages were .3s6 and
81, respectively.
OF the regulars who played In Q
majority Of the games Speaker, Cobb,
Jackson, Strunk, Eddie Collins. Gard
ner, and Veach were the only ones
who topped Sisler in the batting aver
ages.
Can Play Anywhere.
Jones' contention that Sisters val
ne to the Browns equals that Of Cobb
and Speaker OF the Tigers and CIeve-
lands, respectively, Is based on the
fact that the st. Louis star. can play
every position on the field except be-
hind the bat.
Sisler is a first class left handed
pitcher. In fact, Jones had an idea
OF using him regularly in the box
last spring, until lac discovered that
Borton, an experimental first
baseman, was weak at the bat Sisler
has covered second, third and short,
and also has done splendid
work in the outfield, but his best
position is at the first corner and he
will be stationed there permanently.
Best YOungsser I'm sight.
1t is freely admitted that sislsr
is the greatest player that hfs been
developed in the American League
since Cobb, Speaker, Eddie Collins
and other high salaried men WOE
their spurs. Yet the Browns star
ioes not receive a $4,000 salary. He
accepted an offer OF $500, it Is said.
when he signed with the Browns and
turned his back on the Pirates who
had a moral claim on his services.
Sisters rapid improvement has to
suited in several raises so that this
year his salary will reach $500, II
not more. He will be a powerful
in the Mound City and
'n the road during the approaching
PIpp should Advance.
Walter Pipp, of the Yankees, is an
,ther young first baseman who Is ex-
,ected to make rapid strides this
Tear.
Pipp's batting average was 262 in
rs games last season, but he led
he American League in home runs
With twelve, also cracking the bah
or twenty-five baggers and fourteen
riples.
Pipp's only weakness with the stick
vas displayed when he faced left
landed pitchers. Frequently DonO-
an, on those occasions, supplemented
'ipp with a pinch hitter. But il -
believed that IL Pipp is
to play in every game, bar
ing accidents, this year he will
gradually get the hang OF southpaw
deliveries.
Few Hit Harder.
I doubt il any other American
league player can hit the ball hard
II than Pipp. He is liable to break
ID any ball game with a great drive
or extra bases. The experience he
,ained in 1916. therefore. would seem
o indicate a much better record with
he bat Bill Donovan said yesterday
hat. in his opinion, Pipp would get
nto the 800 class beyond a question
4 doubt.
Pipp played brilliantly at first last
eason. He covered much ground
nd took care OF all kinds of wide
egs. lie handled batted balls with
lacrity, and his throwing was we'll
Ugh perfect. Yet Pipp. in Donovsn's
pinion. will cover the bag with great
r skill in the future.
GandII May Lose Out.
Gaudil was the best fielding first
aseman in the American League in
916, but his batting average was only
80. For that reason he may be sue
eeded by GuistO, a hard-hitter from
he Pacific coast.
Mclnnis, after a poor start finished
he campaign with an average OF .259,
tanding second to Sisler. George
turns, of the Tigers, batted .2S6 and
led Sisler in the fielding percentages.
HoblitZell and Gamer, OF the Red
OK, splendid fielders, batted .259 and
80, respectively. but they did some
ir1ely hitting.
Judge, of the Washing tons, wound
p with .226, for which reason Grif-
ith will try to supplant him with
Toward Shanks.
ALUMNI WIN GAME.