The Washington times., 1917-09-26
BY HUGH S. FULLERTON.

Chicago gains a large lead over the
New York Giants in the comparative
dope on the second basemen for the
coming Worlds Series.
The comparison Of these two men is
one OF the most interesting / ever have
made. for the reason that they repre-
sent as totally different types OF ball
players as we can find. Were il not
for the fact that Herzog's physical con
dition at present detracts from his fig
ure values. We would find a player who
is batting only about rs. ranking close
TO. and perhaps above. Eddie Collins.
who has been hailed by many as the
greatest Of second basemen.
II is unfortunate that we are com
PEELED to deduct from Herzog's value be
cause of his injured back and his recent
collapse on the ball field. else We would
have a straight issue as to whether the
nervy. brainy, aggressive daredevil type
Of player, who is all nerve and courage.
is better for purposes of a Worlds
Series than one Of the greatest fielding,
batting and base-running machines the
game ever has known.
You may put II down in the black
book that Eddie Collins is not as great
a player today, in the minds either Of
players or OF the experts. as he was
rated when he was with Mack's cham
pionship teams. He has played sloppy,
careless. and. at times. seemingly in
different baseball all season until the
last month when he suddenly got into
\ II
speed in almost every department. With
his return to form, the White SoX final
winning streak started.
Herzog. on the other hand, has been
playing wonderful ball, aggressive, fight
ing. hustling and winning baseball all
season until he kicked at a piece of
chewing gum. slipped and injured his
back. II may be that the Worlds Series
will be decided by that slip 1t is
cinch HerZog will not be at his best in
this series, and that McGraw may be
compelled to use his undertsudy in part
Of the games. He will not. il Herzog IS
able to crawl out OF bed. for lie would
play on crutches to help his team.
Collins can outhit, outrun, outfield
and outthrow his Giant rival. He has
more speed, he possesses everything
in a physical sense that is needed, yet
u
the Herzog type is liable to be more
valuable. Collins almost certainly
will outhit him.
Not Up To Old standard.
Herzog is not hitting even as we'll
as he usually does. He is down in
tire go class now, while Collins, al
though he has ceased to be a 900 hit
ter since he Joined the White Sox.
still is much better, and is always
around $50, which. considering the
White SoN, is remarkable During
the belated White Sox rush to safety,
he improved immensely in batting, as
well as in the other departments Of
the game.
Collins has (as We in Chicago have
discOveredD two grave faults, faults
that do not belong on world =
championship team. lie has played
safety FIRST baseball during the great
er part OF the year. and has protect
ed himself at the expense OF several
victories. He does not take the
chances when those chances involve
possible injury OF himself He evil
IDENTIFY realizes the value OF such
high class live stock
While this may be commendabIe
from the standpoint OF the player, II
hardly is approved by lovers OF the
game. and perhaps no man in base
ball comes nearer Eeing the antithesis
OF the safety first player than Col
Inns rival in the series
II there is an opportunity to brea!;
his neck and win a ball game. Her
zog will take that chance. lie will
risk every bone in his body TO win.
and the greater the situation, the
more depending upon a play. the