New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-17
Felsch Eager
ToCain Fame
AS a Batter
Star Outhelder of White Sox
on Trail of Iris
and Ty

Oscar Felsch, outfelder Of the White
Sox. at the tender age Of twenty-three
has established a reputation as one Of
the games leading outfelders. Out
Chicago way the fans believe that
Felsch is destined to wear the batting
crown when Ty Cobb and Iris Speaker
have run their course, if not before.
Felsch to-day is one of the best field
ers in the American League. He seems
the nearest approach to the great
Speaker as defensive gardener. Like
Iris, he can go back almost any dis
lance for line drives and he has the
knack of planting himself just right for
the various hitters. Felsch, too, like
Speaker, is very certain on ground
balls. These he plays with the grace
of an infelder. He is possessed OF
strong and accurate throwing arm.
A Happy Disposition
Oscar Felsch is more popularity known
to his club mates and the baseball fra
ternity in general as Happy" or Hap"
This sobriquet is self-explanatory. The
nickname is well deserved. for Felsch is
possessed of an even temperament and
a wonderful disposition. Felsch is quite
as popular with his American League
acquaintance as Laughing Larry Doyle
in the older major league.
The present is Felsch's third season
with the White Sox. If Happy contin-
ues TO develop the next two seasons as
he has during his career in white hose
he is very likely to give both Iy and
Iris the run of their lives before the
champions, past and present, are laid
on the shelf For Felsch to-day is a
much better hitter and player than Joe
Jackson, his team mate, and that is
saving a whole lot. 1t must be remem-
0ered that every year Joe Jackson has
been right at the hip Of the batting
champion of the American League.
I'D like to lead the American League
Just once" said Felsch the other day.
That's an accomplishment that any
player may be proud of with such great
hitters as Speaker, Cobb, Jackson, Col
Inns, Baker and Sisler shooting at the
old alley.
"There's nothing | like better than
baseball" Felsch continued, "and | in
tend TO keep on aiming for the top so
long as | remain in the game. II was
Ty Cobb's wonderful enthusiasm and
persistence that made him the ball
player he is. ,
81 think | have learned a great deal
in the last two years. | am sure am
a much better player than when |
Joined the Sox. I'm young and should
easily last eight or ten years more. A
great deal can be accomplished in eight
or ten years. IL took Speaker nearly
that time 20 head Ty Cobb, but Iris
had the satisfaction of realizing his
ambition at last"
Right-Handed Hitter
Unlike the great majority OF the
American League sluggers. Felsch Is a
right-handed hitter. This makes him
ali the more valuable TO the White Sox
because the other two heaviest guns,
Jackson and Collins. hit from the first
base side Of the plate.
Felsch is one Of the strongest men
in organized baseball. He is stockily
built, standing only feet inches in
height ana weighing in COnultlOh dD-
proxmately 1870 pounds. The young
ster has a powerful pair Of shoulders.
Indeed, he was clever wrestler some
years ago.
Felsch was raised in Milwaukee, 2
city that has always been pretty strong
for the mat game. Young Felsch for
number Of years held the wrestling
championship of the Turnverein, OF
which he was member. Indeed, be-
fore he began 10 make his mark on the
ball field he had serious intentions of
engaging in the graphing profession.
"At one time" declared Felsch, my
friends had me kidded almost into be-
lieving that ! had chance for the
heavyweight wrestling championship.
They thought ! would be heavier than
| am when ! fully developed. Once
made an opening in the baseball pro-
fession, however. soon lost much Of
my enthusiasm for head spinning. I'd
sooner be batting champion of the
American League than the oonqueror
Of Frank Gotch."
Fslsch is one Of the best investments