New-York tribune., 1917-12-16

Z
The name Of Miller Higgins in base
ball stands for that which is smart
and resourceful. These are two quail
tiles that made big league playing
career possible to the son of Cincin-
natl and they are equally responsible
for his moiety Of success as a major
league manager.
Weighing less than 130 pounds, Hug
gins had to be both smart and resource
ful as well as game TO break into the
big league ten years ago, when baseball
was played TO a more bizarre motif
than it is now. If he had lacked physi-
cal courage the combined asset Of his
learning and resourcefulness would
would not have made MIN a niche in
an infeld.
An outfelder he possibly might have
been, but Higgins never had the arm
for the outfeld and, besides, he never
had 10 play there. lie was an infelder
born 10 his art. lie threw his slim.
short form into the second base play
with an irresistible dash and ability
that made him from the first conspicu-
GUS among his compeers.
Two Greatest "'waiters"
Higgins and Jimmy Sheckard Of the
Cubs probably were the two greatest
walters" ever seen in the National
League. Each was difficult TO pitch to,
Higgins exceedingly so when he
crouched over the plate, making a
mighty diminutiye target for the
pitcher to toss %. We believe il was
Vic Willis who once passed Higgins
seven times consecutively.
But, small as he was, it was Hug
gins's uncanny ability in diagnosing
the pitch-and in the old days fouling
off good balls-that permitted him TO
lead the league in the matter of bases
on balls, as well as being one of its
premier lead-of men.
Az fouling good balls just behind
third base Higgins never had a su-
perior. This was based on the fact
that, while the new Yanks' manager hit
left-handed against right-hand pitch
ing, he never was a natural left-hand
hitter.
As result, he normally hit "late"
at ball, driving it almost invariably
toward left field. This, of course, gave
him chance 20 use his speed in beat
ING out ground-hit balls TO the short
stop and third baseman, and it also en-
dowed him with the ability 20 hit foul
balls almost necessarily. When the
rule charging a strike on the first two
fouls was put into effect Huggins con-
centrated less on this art, as it was
more expensive.
Worked With Weights
We often have heard Higgins say he
would give almost anything he pos
sessed il he could develop hitting
power in his left shoulder. In his
palmy days he worked during the win.
ters with weights trying to "pack n
punch IN that left shoulder so that he
might hit the ball hard and quickly,
batting from the ofside of the plate.
IL couldn't be done. Huggins admitted
early that he never would be a hitter,
batting left hand but he kept to that
side OF the plate against riRht-hand
pitching for the reason he could bet
ter judge the pitchers stuff, and rs
time flew by right-hand major league
pitchers seemed 20 increase their stuff.
His lack of power as a left-hand hit
ter was a standing joke among the out
fielders of rival clubs, and they often
worked "A special "Huggins formation"
when he was at bat
This consisted Of the left fielder NOV
ing in about twenty yards back of the
third baseman and near the left field
foul line-a spot Hug" was addicted 10
hitting 20. The centre fielder came far
TO his right and stood some twenty
Yards directly behind the shortstop.
The right fielder usually sat down II
The game had reached Che burlesquc
4, tage to indicate there was no chance
OF Hug" ever hitting a ball 10 right
field. unless il might be a curve on the