Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-26
CHEWING GUM PUTS
KILDUFF ON GIANTS
Pete Gets Chance to Make
Good When Herzog Kicks
at Cud and Hurts Back
TODAY'S GAME POSTPONED
BY ROBERT w. MAXWELL

| BY ROBERT w. MAXWELL
| Up to yesterday morning Pete Kiduff.
the latest sensation sprung by the Giants
| mad no more job than a rabbit He was
listed as among those present" and had the
| same social standing as the other io,.<ics
| But when Charley Herzog tried TO kick that
piece OF green out of the way and hurt his
PACK Kilduf was eased into the limelght
| ana Muggsy McGraw decided 20 purchase
| MN from the Omaha club in the Western
League Thus we find n person who gained
| fame because careless gum-chewers hurl
their cuds in the public highway.
| Pete was more or less of an experiment
He was discovered by sinister Dick Kin
| sela last year and, after the Yankees turned
| down the prospect, McGraw was given a
| chance. Muggsy seldom passes up chance
but hesitated long time in the Siduff
| case, because omaha didn't ask a million
dollars for his services. McGraw you know.
has habit of outbiddng everybody else and
/ INSISTS on spending huge gobs of coin for
his players.
Muggsy Falls
| Anyway, Kinsella put across the sob
stuff and Muggsy fell like a ton of brick
| He reluctantly consented 20 give Puny Pete
| trial, but what chance would he have
with HerZog and Fletcher In the game? But
the kid was shipped South where he showed
| flashes of form in spots. bN did nothing
that could attract undue attention. The
Omaha club seemed too anxious to get rid
| of him and allowed him to go under an
| optional agreement. The Giants were to
| use him until late in April and If rb didn't
make good. he was to be shipped back to
| the bushes and not one cent would be
| charged for his services. But If he hap
| pened to come through McGraw could slip
the club small parcel of legal tender and
! every one would be satisfied
| Kilduff is the cheapest player the Giants
have purchased in many a day, and his
| debut Is what the picture writer's would call
| impressive. He played wonderful game
! against the Phs and exposed the earmarks
| of future great His fielding was good, but
| the biggest hit was made when he operated
| at the plate He grabbed off single in the
| third inning, but any one is likely to do
| that in the game. In the eighth, however,
| when he slammed that homer into the center
| field bleachers the wise guys sat up and took
| notice.
Crossed the Great
Alex was shooting 'em through and de-
| cided to send the rookie to the bench. Two
hits had been made, and Big Pete thought
it time to call a halt.
A strike went over and the next was
| fast one with a hook attached to the end.
This did not bother Pete He stepped into
lot. Now, any kid just breaking in. who
deliberately steps into one of Alexis
| twisters is a guy who will bear watching.
| No wonder McCiraw is pleased this morn
| ing. He will use kilduff whole, lot this
year and the club is strengthened consider
| ably through the acquisition of utility in
| fielder
| Passed Up by Scouts
Kilduff played with Omaha last year and
although he had been looked over by
numerous scouts. he didn't look good
enough to enter the big show. Every one
| admitted he was swell fielder, but his
hitting was on the blink. In midseason he
| wasn't hitting his weight, and 1t looked as
| if he would remain in the sticks for the
| rest of his days. He took brace in the
| last month however, and finished the sea-
son with a swatting average OF .29o' Even
| this made no impression. as there were
| forty other players who hit 800 or better
| in the league.
Sinister Dick Kinsela entered the picture
| one day last summer and he fell for kildun
| from the start. Sinister Dick wasn't reg
| ular scout-that is. he didn't have job
| with n big league club. He was travelling
! on business and did his ivory hunting on
| the side. He Immediately got into COM
munication with Captain Tillinghast Hus-
| ton. of the Yankees.
| Gotta swell second baseman,' wired
Dick Better grab him."
| Nothing doing, and likewise nix"
| slangily retorted the well-l:nown captain.
| Don't try to work off any hushers on the
| old Cap"
| Muggsy Takes Chance
! Thereupon Richard gumshoed his way
| to McGraw and told his story. Muggsy fell
and Kinsella has been slipping Huston the
laugh ever since
| The Yankees certainly missed good
chance to get a second sacker, the club is
| weak in that position and Pete would have
| fitted in nicely.
| The rainstorm which called off today's
| game gave Charley Herzog another days
| rest Charleys back is much better this
| morning but il is doubtful If he will get
| into the game again for at least ten days.
| His back is badly wrenched and while it is
| not vet known whether the spine has been
| injured, If his recovery is not rapid enough
| the X ray will be used tomorrow. Herzog
was up and walked around the hotel this
| morning.
Phils in Last Place
| Pat Moran gave his players heart-to-
| heart talk in the clubhouse while the rain
| battered on the roof and some harsh words
| were spoken. Pat was not at all satisfied
| with yesterdays game and the time has
| come for the players to wake up and do
something. The boss of the Phils does not
| relish his position in last place and wants
| to get out of it as soon as possible.