New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-05
Nupamaker Is
a Plodder, but
HeCets There
Big Catcher of Yankees
Broke Into Fast Company
With Red Sox
By w, ]. MACBETH.

OF DAlA payer W iofN 'H''S'''b
He is not a brilliant ball player, though
we'll above the average in ability as
present day catchers 60. He Yields q
wicked mace and is most dangerous in
the pinches.
Nunamaker might be a wonderful
ball player if he were possessed of
triAe more speed. He is tremen-
dously big fellow, who takes on weight
readily, and so it is most difficult for
hirn to keep in the top form Of physical
fitness when he is not actively en-
gagged every day. In this respect
Nunamaker's major league career has
been influenced by associations.
Starts With Red Socks
Leslie Nunamaker broke into fast
company with the Boston Red Sox in
1911. At that time Bill Carrigan was
at the height of his career and conse-
quently fixture behind the bat. Still.
during his first season Nunamaker
worked in no less than sixty-two
games. He caught we'll and hit .257.
The following season Forrest Cady and
Chester Thomas were both recruited
to the Red Sox fold. Cady and Thomas
were both good catchers, but, like
Nunamaker, had little chance to dis
place Bill Carrigan as regular back
stop at that time.
The Red Sox won a pennant and
worlds championship from the Giants
that fall. In winning it lot OF Ill
will developed. After one Of the early
worlds series games in New YORK Ger,
tain players of the Red Sox engaged
in fist fight. The club was spllt INTO
yeral factions. Jake Stahl, manager
Of the team. was deposed the following
season and Bill Carrigan appointed 10
the leadership.
Whether or not this family row mad
any bearing on Nunamaker's relations
with the worlds champions, the TACT
remains that Leslie's ripper experience
cut no figure with Carrigan when ne
took charge of the Boston Americans;
Cady and Thomas. in fact, were caIleo
unon quite as frequently during the
season. though of the three second
string catchers at that time Nunamaker
was the best hitter. Nunamaker, Ger,
tainly, did not improve as he Should
and early in the season OF l9l4 ne was
allowed TO come TO New YORK at tne
waiver price. His surroundings IN
Boston were not of the best to develop
real class under ambitions spur.
Nunamaker's transfer to New YORK
benefited him greatly. He was ambi,
tious to shine in the big city and laid
20 with a will. The Yankees, however,
had run down badly. This club was
conglomeration of insists that won so
seldom it was hard for any player TO
keep interested long.
The team was weak in almost every
department, so weak that Nunamaker
had to be pressed into service as a
first baseman when Williams and Bert
Borton both failed Frank Chance.
Chance, it will be remembered, quit, In
disgust in August. Yet in spite OF MS
associations Nunamaker stood out as
one Of the few interested players and
batted .269 in ninety-one games.
Many Mediocre Players
Colonel Rupert and Captain Huston
purchased the Yankees in the spring OF
1915 and secured Bill Donovan as man
ager. The legacy to which these
sportsmen fell heirs was chiefly a
bundle of liabilities as represented by
lot of mediocre players signed to long
term wartime contracts. Messrs. Rup-
merit and Huston decided to clean house.
That Nunamaker was left after the
sweeping seems a testimonial. 1t is
true that Nunamaker did not do him
self Justice in 1915. But there was a
reason.
The old guard of the Yankees that
year had come to look upon a campaign
as a Joy ride. Many of them took
neither themselves nor the game seri-
ously. Ed sweeney, majordomo of the
catching staff, was anything but fit
ting example for young catcher wish
ing to get on in his profession.
The general attitude of his team
mates was reflected in Nunamaker's
work. Leslie did not awaken to the
fact that a premium was placed on
hustling till he saw a lot Of heads fall
ing around him. Sweeney, Doc Cook,
Cree, WARRIOR, Heating and a lot of
other idlers were decorated with the
order Of the tin can.
Last year the big fellow had his best
season. lie hit 1896 for 81 games.
There is little doubt that Nunamaker
was here rejecting the good of his as
sociations, Just as earlier he had re-
nlected the bad. In the fall of 1915
little AL Walters was sent up from
Texas. His history with the Yankees
is known to every fan. AL made good
from his first game. Full Of life and
energy and pepper, he simply capti-
waited New York from the first. Wal
tiers is striking contrast TO Nuna-
maker. AL is little, quick and fashy,
while Leslie is huge and ponderous.
The big fellow suffered so in COMPARE
son at hrst that he was actually
ashamed But instead Of becoming dis
couraged Nunamaker spruced up. He
went out 20 follow Walters's lead. He
won recognition.
50 far as he personally Is concerned
IL is unfortunate for Nunamaker TO be
with team that boasts an Al Walters.
The latter is very popular and the fans
demand his appearance on every posi-
bic occasion. There Is great deal Of
color in Waiters's work.
The Flooding Type
Nunamaker Is more Of the plodding
type. Strong as a horse, Nunamaker is
capable OF catching day in and day out.
Doubtless he would be a much better
catcher IL, like George Gibson when he
was az his best in Pittsburgh, he
worked every game behind the bat.
Nunamaker needs more work than he
can possibly get with a performer Of
Walters's stamp on the same team.
Bat, as he is, Leslie Nunamaker Is a
valuable asset 20 the Yankees. He
possesses wallop that carries the re-
speet Of rival pitchers. He is earnest
and conscientious. He II big, strong
and willing In pinch he could han