Omaha daily bee., 1917-06-24
Giant Leader Errs Badly When
He Figures Robertson Su-
perior to Rousch and
Ships Latter to Cincy.
By JACK VEIOCK.

GIdW Is COHScucu 10 DC OHe VI tHe
smartest managers in base ball, and
there is no doubt about his ability.
but even Jawn boots one now and
then.
Evidence tending to show that Nc
Graw kicked one when he permitted
Eddie Rousch to get away from the
Giants in the deal which sent Matty
to Cincinnati may be found in the
batting and fielding averages of the
National league. And when the base
running returns are printed there is
no doubt on the part of the writer
that this lanky young speedboy from
Oakland City, Ind, will be numbered
among the base runner who pile up
the greatest number of thefts in
season.
Rousch became the property of the
Giants through sale when the Federal
league tossed the sponge into the
ring and threw up its fins. He stuck
with McGraw's team until the middle
of July and was traded to the Cincin-
natl club with McKechnie and Ma
thcwson for Buck Herzog.
McGraw couldn't see Rousch as
compared to Davy Robertson, and Ed
die was sent on his way. But today
Rousch stands out head and shoulders
above Davy as an all around ball
player, and unless injuries keep him
out of the game this season there is
little doubt that he will top Robert
sons best efforts in all around play
ing.
Mercury on Wings.
Rousch, though it is not generally
known, is one Of the speediest players
in the two major leagues today. He
is Mercury in the outfield and on
the bases he runs like deer. In a
field meet during the life Of the Fed
eral league Rousch equalled the rec
ord for getting to first base after lay
ing down a bunt. The record was
made in 1908 by Shaw, of St. Louis,
and the time was 3l-5 seconds.
!, Rousch was clocked in the same time.
y As hitter Rousch has natural abil-
ity. He does not hit as hard as his
former team mate, Benny Kauff, but
he has habit of banging the ball on
line past the infielders at rate of
about steen miles minute, and he
often gets two bases on hits on which
the ordinary player would get no
further than first base.
Rousch's experience in base ball as
a professional began i'll 1912, at
Evansville, and he played with that
club nearly two seasons. He was
sold to the White Sox in July, 1918,
for a price reported to have been
$4,000, and later released to the Lin
coin club of the Western league. In
1914 he refused to report to Lincoln,
jumping to the Indianapolis Federals
under Whoa Bill Phillips. where he
banged the pill for an average of
1888 in seventy-fovr games. With the
Newark Feds Rousch hit .298 in 1915,
and in 1916 his hitting fell off to .267
in l0S games with New York and Gin
cinnati. But Rousch is just coming
into his prime as a player and he is
only "a years old. So it looks as
though McGraw overlooked bet
when he traded him.
Willard Now Circus Owner.
1t cost Jess Willard just $10500O to
keep his job with the wild west show
that he has been part of for nearly
two seasons.
Jess had to buy the show to hold
his place in the sawdust ring, for the
former management was on the point
Of letting him out and taking on
Carl Morris when Jess blocked the
deal.
Willard's popularity as boss of the
heavyweights has been falling off bit
by bit ever since he defeated Jack
Johnson for the title. His refusal to
get into the ring for championship
battle has ruined him as an attrac-
ton, and as owner of the wild west
show he will probably find out for
himself just how much the public
thinks of him.
Willard could have been popular
idol had he cared to do the right
thing. He has a sunny smile, and
the good nature to make friends
easily everywhere he goes. But his
inactivity in fistic circles has reduced
his popularity average to 900, and
unless he gets into the ring soon he
will have to depend altogether on the
cowboys, Indians and sharp-shooters
to make his circus a paying PROPOSE
ton.
Tough on Heilman.
Harry Heilman, Tiger outhelder,
had an experience recently which will
stick with him for while, and which
will keep him glued to his seat in
the Pullman when travelling about
the country.
The Tigers were going from Bos-
ton to Baltimore to play Sunday
exhibition game. The train hesitated
at New London, Conn, and Heilman
jumped off to get some sandwiches,
running out of the Pullman car with
out coat and hat. While he was pur-
chasing the grub the whistle footed
and off went the rattler minus He'll
man.
Harry had the change from FIVE
spot and couple of sandwiches to
last until he could catch up with his
ball, club, and when he reported
wearing coat and hat he had bought
from pawn broker he came in for
kidding that got his goat-hoofs,
horns, whiskers and all