New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-30
Ferd Schupp Is
McCraw' Best
Pitching Ace

T>ERDINAND NJ. SCHUPP, by his
wonderful pitching of the last
two seasons, seems to have
qualified AS the big ace Of those whose
sympathies favor the Giants in the
coming series OF baseball games for
the championship OF the world
Schupp is left-handed pitcher, and
good one. He is the very best in
the National League. Whether he is
the best in baseball is open to argu-
ment. In such discussions one cannot
overlook the burly iron-man OF the
Red Sox, Babe Ruth. And Ruth has
this added qualification: He comes
pretty close TO being the most deadly
hitter of the game. for he has not the
speed of either Cobb or Speaker -
help him with the infeld raps. Babe
has 70 "hit 'em where they amt"
Schupp Is no great shucks as a hit
ter, but, as to pitching, that is some
thing else again. He is mighty
tough bird for clubs that have a
chance to study him often. For club
that has never seen him before he
should be just about as deadly an
article as they come in the portside
brand. For Schupp is a living contra
diction.
He looks like frail and weak young
man As matter of fact, he is strong
as Young bull. He doesn't run heavy
to bulk, but he is of the Indian type
wiry and whipcordy, and possessed Of
exceptional endurance. He doesn't ap-
pear TO have unusual speed, but his fast
ball whistles by the batter before the
latter knows il is on the way.
Delivery Very Deceptive
In short. Schupp is possessed of one
Of the very most deceptive deliveries
now before the public. He has mas
tered the knack of covering his varied
stock in trade. With the same motion
he offers up his speeder. his hook and
his slow ball. And he is possessed Of
exceptional pitching brains. He knows
pretty well how 10 outguess a rival.
Also, as a rule. he can put the ball just
about wherever he cares. And, as
every one knows. control is the big
percentage of pitching success.
Furthermore, Schypp IL q young gen
tleman who is not very likely to become
clustered in a crisis. He has nerve
plenty of it. He is a gambler at heart.
He'll stake, without the least hesita-
ton, ball game on a certain pitch and
accept the resulting issue without a
qualm.
At times this sang froid has almost
appeared indifference. Schupp was a
very, very long line arriving at the
present point Of his excellence, because
he refused TO regard his profession
with the respect customary TO young
fellows breaking in. He hung around
the Giants for three years before he
began to show that of which he was
really capable. Warming the bench
often dscourages youngsters. But not
so Schupp. He kept his eyes and ears
open. He was learning all the time,
though he made no wild demonstration
over the fact.
Schupp did not truly arrive till last
season, when the reorganized Giants
finally took it into their heads to make
baseball history. He was one of the
central figures of the teams record
breaking run of twenty-six consecutive
victories. Those who had begun to con-
denim McGraw for apparent indulgence
in the case of Schupp changed their
tunes quickly when the young fellow
finally began to show what he could do
once he took life seriously.
Made Remarkable Record
Last season Schupp did not gain rec
ignition AS a regular till well toward
the flag end of the season. But ne es-
tablished one of the most remarkable
seasons records that had been seen in
yesrs-he won nine and lost only three
games for an average of $50.