New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-12
Star OutfieIder
Puts Indians
On Ball Map
so.aker Much Better Player
on Defensive Than
the Great Ty
nv w. ]. MACBETH


Nv w. J. mANbElh
c.ns baseball clubs, like individuals
-, lust born lucky. The Red SOx, for
'.',.nss, worlds champions and fight
=. for q third consecutive pennsnt,
T ~ is a club lucky enough to go on
cor losing its most valuable asset,
=. NOT losing, but selling, for a rec
ord sum. -,
7pev did say the Red SOx would
al 70 smithereens without Iris
s,ssksr. But the Hub outfit was goo /
,.oprh to spare the king Of outfelders,
ara profted- doubly by the sale, in that
c,,.tsr made Of the Cleveland Indians
,snnant contender last year. And
Ss5nant contender the Indians still re-
lain, and will remain so long as
Snsaker is able to stand up 70 the plate
~ nun the hundred yards within two
,seonds Of what he can now show.
sneaker, in many respects, is q
GREATER ball player than Ty Cobb. Ger
.s;nly he is far better defensively. He
vii cover acres more ground, and do
4 gracefully; he can throw much bet
tsr and more accurately than Cobb.
Almost Tvs Equal
Extensively. Iris is almost the equal
~ Tv. He has not the wonderful speed
~ the Georgian, and therefore has to
~ more cleanly TO get his base
Knocks. He is neither so daring nor
ca sashy on the base paths as the tenn
ornamental Tiger. Yet it is question
ale if Speakers superior defensive
sbilitv does not pretty nearly Offset
Cobb's superiority of offence.
In the opinion Of the smartest base
hall generals Of the last ten years, Ty
COBB is the wonder of the game. 1t is
generally conceded he is and has been
me greatest all round player Of his
tory, Il is equally true that Speaker
has been and is the greatest defensive
opt6elder of all time. This opinion is
based on the sound judgment Of old
timers who were familiar with Bill
Lang, who was considered the king of
gardeners till Speaker won his niche
in the hall Of fame.
Also the question is open TO debate
whether or not Iris Speaker is as
great an influence for good with the in
diyidual club as is even the mighty
Cobb The two are Of opposite types.
Ty is Gll nervous energy, hot tempered
and incousiderate Of everything but
his personal might. Ambition, relent-
lessly pursued, has carried him TO the
top year after year in almost every
department of playing value.
Until Speaker last year snatched the
batting crown from Tyrus, the Geor-
gian Peach for nine consecutive sea-
sons had won the smuggling laurels Of
Organized baseball He had annexed
most Of the other titles, too-base
running, run getting, runs batted in.
Speaker, in his might, always has
been considerable of the rights of
others He has never been known to
usurp bis rights 10 the base path when
such usurpation haZarded the life and
Limb Of rival. Speaker, like Wagner,
would sacrifice his base-running record
10 spare rival guardian of the paths
from the cold steel. Speaker, therefore,
Is one of the most highly respected
and generally beloved players Of the
game.
Has Inspired Fear
Cobb sacrifices his chances to no
body. Indeed, many times he has been
accused Of cutting down infelders will
fully and needlessly. There is little
doubt that Cobb often gets away with
daring base-running achievements be-
cause Of the fear ne has inspired with
bis ready spikes.
OF the two, Speaker, perhaps, has the
Wrk. e Lizzie - q
ssh-made player. iris always has been
the king-pin slugger Of his immediate
associates. During his long utilization
With the wonderful Red SoX he stood
IS hitter head and shoulders above
bis teammates. Cobb always has had
81 his back a helper of almost equal
deadly accuracy with the stick.
For years il was Wahoo Sam Craw-
lord, who always could hit a ball with
Tar greater accuracy and force than
even the mighty Ty. Had Sam pos
ssised Tvs phenomenal speed he
would have discounted Cobb 100 points
" hitter When Sans eye began
70 dim and his muscles to lose their
Nsilieney Bobby Veach was ready to
yep into the breach. Cobb always has
aao that combination Of power which
served 70 enhance his individual abil-
ny % the highest possible degree. Not
20 iris Speaker. The Texan always
has had 70 stand on his own feet.
There Is no doubt Speaker is the
nearest approach 70 Cobb. Iris has
hsvsr failed 70 hit better than 300
hnse he earned a regular berth in fast
company. Had Iris gone to the Ma
9enal League il is probable that to-
Gay he would be considered the peer
q Hughie Jennings's all-round per-
.efmer. Last season Speaker, after
sihe attempts, succeeded in snatching
es batting crown from Tyrus. He
Soated the ball for 1886 70 accomplish
y. purpose. Yet as far back as 1912
,is wizard Of the ash showed a 1888
az. no avail. That same year Iris stole
SlJ'two bases, only TO run second 70
Goo m both departments.
irs holds one distinction over Cobb.
vas sold 20 Cleveland for $4,000.
.he most Cobb ever brought on the
n.iket was 500, the purchase price
Ssuoit paid 20 Augusta for his release.
81 ihsn, there are some jewels above
s.n,asiion, and Cobb seems one Of them.
swing Cobb would be equivalent TO
FsIEng 3 paddock on Nayin Field.
Economy PROMPTS Sale