New-York tribune., 1917-12-09
Baseball Players Rally
To Call of Uncle Sam

financial, physical and mentsl-into
the balance against the Hun. Yet he
had time, despite his military ardor, to
devote no little thought to the future
of the sport he loved. And TO his far
sightedness can be attributed a great
deal Of that sentiment among basebalPs
ranks which is expressing itself in
deeds.
Sponsor for Military Training
II was Captain Huston who originated
the idea of military training for ball
players at their spring camps last sea
son and throughout the last campaign.
His plan was adopted by every Ameri-
can League club, with the admirable re-
suits not only Of influence to player
sentiment, but upon public patriotism
as we'll.
II is a striking fact that the American
League has contributed far more gen
erously to the naval and military
branches than has the National League.
Military training through last summer
fred many American League players to
action since the season closed. The two
tional League were Hank Gowdy and
Rabbit Maranville. And Stallings's
Braves alone of all the National League
clubs devoted itself to military training
in 1917.
Several OF the major league clubs
have suffered heavily through losses Of
playing strength, but no complaints
have been heard. One familiar with
baseball does not have to speculate long
to realize what the absence Of Gowdy
and Maranvile will mean to the Boston
Nationals, a team comparatively weak
in its company with the two stars IN
question.
Cleveland and Boston OF the Ameri-
can League have both been hard hit,
and the majority of their stars, ike
those of the Braves, went voluntarily,
without waiting to be called in the
draft. Brooklyn suffered the loss OF
two great pitchers-Leon Cadore and
Shcrrod Smith-not to mention several
promising recruits.
On this page are printed the pictures
Of fourteen of basebalPs heroes. Most
of them are young men, in the flower OF
their youth. who are giving their all
that democracy may not perish from the
Garth. A sprinkling Of veterans can be
discerned among them, it is true, but
none has nearly run his athletic useful
ness.
Barry Dean of Lot
Dean of the lot, perhaps. is Jack
Barry, manager Of the. Red Sox IN
1917. He is old only in experience,
end last wear as leader of the Hub out
III played the sort of game that made
him a marvel Of the iniield with the
old Athletics. Jim Scott, White SoX
pitcher, was slightly on the decline
when he took leave of the worlds
championship during the past campaign
TO enter an officers training camp.
Catcher Ed Sweeney, for years the
mainstsy Of the Yankee catching stan
(such as it wss), had been knocking
around in the public eye for ten years.
He eased himself out Of fast company
by failure to observe strict training
rules, but he had effected wonderful
comeback in the American Association.
Outfelder Duffy Lewis. OF the Red sox'
despite his long service, was at MS
very best in 1917.
The other ten are kids, or practically
so Certainly there is no more boyish
fellow anywhere than Hank Gowdy, and
form. Rabbit Maranville, one OF the
cleverest shortstops Of the game. is
juvenile in both age and action. Leslie
Mann, of the Cubs, was OF the type
that finds itself slowly. The best part
of his career was in prospect. Sherrod
Smith, of Brooklyn, and Ernie Shore,
of Boston, had both just arrived at the
crest Of their effectiveness. Guy Nor
ton. OF Cleveland, heralded as a second
Alexander, had been up only three
years.
Leon Cadore, Of Brooklyn; Joe
Evans, of Cleveland, and Carlson Big
bee. Of Pittsburgh, were three OF the
fnds Of 1917. But for the masterful
pitching Of Cadore the ex-champion
Dodgers would have trailed the field,
for nc stood up in his first trial where
all the veteran twirlers Of the club fell
down badly, because OF accident or
illness.
Evans and Bigbee both made promise !
Of developing into sensational infeld- |
oTs. Last years experience was all !
that was needed TO land them among I
the leaders OF their positions. Fred /
Brainard, one.time Giant recruit, had /
not yet quite arrived. He was being |
seasoned for the McGraw machine !
Wnen ne Ielb the ITOFlCcnCe CIuD OF \
the International League to attend an /
officers training school.
0ldtimers in Line
The men whose pictures are printed /
here are but few Of the vanguard Of /
professional baseball's contribution 70 /
the army. Quite as many oldtimers /
might be mentioned, including Captain 4
Eddie Grant and Lieutenant Harry |
Mccormick, now overseas. This van
guard IS bound 10 swell into a host.
The professional player never lacked
spirit. lie could not and be . player.
The spirit always has been willing;
the flesh never weak.
And a hot old time is promised
Fritz when the player army hits the
German line. Take the word of Private
Briggs, Of the foreign legion, for the
fact. Private Briggs, who helped to
film the Paul j. Rsiney African hunt
pictures. Is authority for the state
ment. he is one American qualified TO
know whereof he speaks, for he wears
the Croix de Guerre over his heart.
lie enlisted with the medical corps OF
Ia. Al