Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-06
SOME SPICY
SPORT CHATS
Indians Passing Out as Big
League Ball Players.
BENDER IS ABOUT THROUGH
PhiIIies' Veteran Native Pitcher Has
Been Let Out by Pat Moran-Msyers
Of Brooklyn Also May Go-Thorps
Still With the Giants.

1t looks as II the day of the Indian
in big league baseball Is now passed.
Chief Bender, the great Chippewa
pitcher Of the Phillies. has been re-.
leased by Pat Moran. With the pass
ing Of this once great pitcher the ia.
tional pastime will have come near to
usheriug out from the ranks OF the mt
j0rs every red man Of any note.
Chief John Tories Meyers is on the
verge Of break with tile Dodgers, and
several have been frank enough to cal
culate that. whether OF not he comes to
terms with Colonel Ebbets, the Mission
warrior has about run his course as
big Lacquer Ben Lineup. another In.
dian. who for several seasons or parts
Of seasons drew pay from the PhilIies,
is in the minors Jim Bluejacket. her.
aided few seasons ago as likely
candidate to continue the activities Of
the redskin in big league circles. tiv-
vercd with the Federal league aud van.
ished Jim Thorpe is still on hand. But
.Iim's chances for sIiking seasons
berth with the Giants are considered
rather slim. 1t Is quite possible that
the close OF the coming season may
find both major leagues minus the
services Of a single Indian regular.
An American invasion Of Japan from
the Pacific coast is planned in June.
In fact, the Japanese have invited tue
invasion. which is to be of Il baseball
nature keio university has asked the
University of California to play
twelve game baseball series. starting
on May Is. California has replied that
it Is willing to make the trip IL the
date is moved back a month. That the
laps will oblige almost Is certain. Cali.
fornia already has series scheduled
in Honolulu and wants to play that ON
the way to Japan.
There Is one activity in which the
Jap will concede that America can
teach him something. and that is sport.
However. from what we have seen Of
the orieutals In baseball and tennis
they are very quick learners. In every.
thing commerce and
sport, too-they are remarkable imita-
tors. In sport that ability to initiate Is
born largely OF agility and stamina.
Who is the best batting first base.
man in baseball? Here is an opportuni-
ty for some lively argument. Straight.
way the records Of Jake Daubert und
Hal Chase will rise In the memory Of
the average fan. especially since Prince
Hal topped the batters OF the National
league last season, while Dau1crt has
been well up every year Tor several
seasons. Then. too the work of young
George Sisler of ST. Louis will bob up.
Not one Of this trio, however. cnn lay
claim to top place among regular ten.
ants OF the first bag who are active on
the job today. ~
The hest man with the willow In the
position. according tSscotl figures, is
John ''Stnry' Mclnnis OF Cdnnie
Mack's Athletics. Taking them from
their records since they have been In
regular service. McInnis leads the
ncld. He hus II general average of $40
for SIX full campaigns. Dnubert In
next, with $40 for seven seasons. Sis.
Ter for his short period Of service has
hit Just one point shy Ut 800. while
HUI Chase in twelve years llns aver
aged 100 no other first baseman IN
tue g,lne now has ranged ns high ~
.@N for his full stay Under the big tops.
A.AE knrtltHid hahba,n rcia.
lions between Princeton nnd Rutgers.
wlficfI Impaired stlntnrt.- nave been
strcupktdndi. nnd W klIladst certain
that The New Jersey college once more
VIII uest w the gridlrUu in i0ls.