The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-09-08
LEAN YEAR FOR YOUTH
ON BIC LEAGUE FIELDS
Veterans Far Outshine Youngsters Star to Match
Hornsby Has Yet Been Produced-Schupp
Wins Honors.

South has had lean year on the
major league diamonds. The current
campaigns have failed thus far to pro-
duce a single outstanding star TO match
Rogers Hornsby. the greatest of all the
young players developed during the sea
son Of 1916
This year s crop Of new material in
cludes some promising yearlings but
still the youthful marvel of the Csrdi-
mails stands head and shoulders above
them all. OF the newcomers only Billy
Kopf. shorstop of the Reds. and Pete
Kildun, shortstop Of the Cubs. appear
to be above the average, while the best
that may be said about the others Is
that they give promise of future de-
velopment,
One of the best players who emerged
from obscurity this season is Cruise.
outhelder of the Cardinals. whose slug
ging has been a potent factor in the
successes Of Higgins rehahilitated bril-
gade. Cruise is a real find" But il
will take at least another season to de-
termine whether he is able TO travel
the major league pace.
among the most promising Of the
new men are Joe Evans, third baseman
OF the Indians. and Harris. third base
man. both of whom appear to be able
batsmen and skilled felders. Joe Ris-
berg. shortstop of the White Sox. is an
other youth who is doing his bit to help
win games. Risberg is a splendid in
fielder, one of the best defensive play
ers on the pastjme. but has vet to show
any real ability with the bat "Rowdyr
Elliott recruit catcher of the Cubs
while not in the class of his famous
theless is an able backstop. a fighter
down to the ground and a youngster
who gives every indication of rapid
Improvement. However. he is in no
sense a star.
So we'll has be been playing since the
injury to Zach Wheat gave him an OPP
portunity to get into the regular lineup
that James Davidson Hickman. centre
fielder Of the Dodgers. is reasonably
certain to be a member OF the Dodgers
again next season. This knowledge
that he will probably be on the team
next year amounts to considera Bile
honor at this time. for very few of the
Robins can say with any degree Of as
surance that they will be retained.
Everything concerning the makeup of
the Dodgers in 1918 is at skies and
sevens.
Hickman has both fielded and batted
so well since playing regularly that he
has become one of the most widely dis
cussed young players in the league.
The transformation in his playing came
suddenly. Early in the season Jimmy
had several opportunities to get regu-
lar job on the team, but each time he
either failed to hit consistently or field
his assignment up to major league
standard. This time; however, Jimmy
has made good and is going to stick.
Hickmans playing in the recent
series between the Dodgers and Giants
was particularly impressive. He has
been playing center field in place of Hy
Myers, who was moved to second base
in the absence of George Cutshaw. and
his all around work surpassed Hy's
work by a big margin. Hy will hav-
TO travel at a fast pace TO get his job
again If Hickman continues to move at
his present clip.
The PhiIIies make their big bid TO
overtake the Giants in the series sched-
uled to begin between them. and the
Robins at Ebbets Field today Moran's
men are campaigning in live1ier fash
ion now than at any other time this
season and should have little trouble
with the Dodgers. unless Robbie's team
shows great improvement,
Schupp Best.
Pitching honors among the younger
set unquestionably will 20 to Freddie
schupp. although he is a veteran in
point of experience. He has been
member Of the Giants for four years, al
though this is the first season he has
occupied place in stardom. But among
the recruits. Leon Galore. OF the Dodg-
ers; Regain. Of the Reds: Watson. of
the Cardinals; Sothoron, Of the Browns;
Ehnke. Of the Tigers. and Eller, Of the
Reds. are the most prominent.
II Galore had been with winning
club he undoubtedly would have con1pil-
ed a splendid record. But weighted
down by the Dodgers. II was a mel
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