The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-05
~ Up to the Minute
~ SPORTING NEWS
n FROM EVERYWHERE.
BRIEF ON TRIAL
Scarcity of First Sackers Gives
Him Another Chance.
Hal Chase Is in a Bad Batting
Slump Now.

Now York. June Sunny Brief.
who is working on thirty days trial
as the regular first sacker of the
Pittsburg Pirates. should be highly
elated over the fact that crack first
basemen are scarce.
This fact alone brought Bunny back
to the major leagues. He was pur-
chased recently from the Salt Lake
club by Barney Dreyfus. who was up
against it for an initial Dagger. and
if he shows sufficient hitting and
FIELDING ability he will have a regu-
lar job with the Pittsburg club. 9th
erwise it will be back to the Coast
league for Bunny, and another brief"
stay in the majors.
Several years ago Brief was given
a tryout with the Browns, but at that
time he was very much a STRIPPING,
not heavy enough for the job, and
he failed to stick. In the Coast
league last season Brief had the best
year of his career. He finished the
season with a batting average of .314
and the title of home-run king of his
league in tow. He smashed out thir-
ty-three home runs, which is said to
be a worlds record. The major league
records since 1900 show that Gavvy
Cravath holds the title in the big
show with twenty-four, made in 1915.
Chances Bright.
So the chances of Bunny making
good are bright, and if he sticks there
will be a great load of worry lifted
from Jimmy Callahan's shoulders, for
when he failed to land Fred MerKle
he was at his wits end for player 70
plug up the hole Brief is trying to I'LL.
So far Brief is doing as well as coufo
be expected, for when he Joined the
Pirates he had not played in any regu-
lar games because he had not yet re-
ported to Salt Lake, owing to illness
in his family. A little time should
start him right.
Briefs presence in the Pirate line
M fills up the roster of first base
men in the National League with reg
ulars-providing Bunny sticks. In the
American League, Clark Griftlth mas
no regular first sacker. he mas
switched about from ono player TO
another, using Judge and Charity, a
catcher, alternately. Boston. with
Hoblitzel and Gamer, also switches
players at first base.
Early indications point to a spirited
battle among the first sackers of the
big leagues for the honor of being
classed as the best all-around initial
bagmen in their respective circuits.
Chase Slowing Up.
Hal Chase, getting away to a slow
start at the bat this year, will be
bound to pick up as the season ad-
Vances, and Hal mas lost none OF ms
ability at a fielder. Jake Daubert,
always 900 hitter is not the player
he has been touted to b. when every
angle is considered. Fred Merkle, a
good fielder should hit better than
he did last year. Luderus, Jack Mil
Ter and Ed Konetchy are steady
PLAYERS In young Holke McGraw has
a player of much promise, and if
Brief sticks with the Pirates, both he
and Holke have opportunity before
them.
In the American League, Stuffy Nc
Innis and George Sisler are staging a
pretty battle for both batting and
fielding hCrors. That one of the two
will be classed as the best first
sacker in the American League when
the season closes is practically GER
tain. Yet the struggle is an inter
esting one to watch, and to date Nc
Inniss wonderful hitting has been an
advantage to him.