Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-01-28
AN ALL-STAR 1917
BALL TEAM CHOSEN

NEW YORK, Jan. 2S.-An All Ma
tional League baseball team, the Sc
lection of which is based on the Of
ficials records Of the leading players
for at least so games in their respc-
tive positions, shows, almost without
exception, famous stars at their ac-
customed stations. According to the
system used fifty per cent is allowed
for the value of the player in the Of
fensive and an equal percentage for
his defensive work.
The theory is that player on such
a combination should be equally strong
at bat and in the field. AS a result
high-grade stick work and fielding are
necessary to produce place-winning
average and this applies to all the
players including the pitcher, who, in
addition, must show league-leading
ability in the box, although not called
upon to qualify in the fifty game class.
Under these conditions it is not sur
prising that Grover Alexander, late
of Philadelphia club, should stand out
as the premier twirler of the senior
league. Viewed almost from any
angle Alexander's records prove his
right to be selected for the position
of boxman on an all-star 1917 National
League team. He led the league In
number of innings pitched and allowed
less runs per game than any other
twirler
Alexander was also fourth in per-
centage on the games won and lost
basis and his combined batting and
fielding averages produce higher
grand average than any of his rivals.
Perritt and Schupp Of New York;
Schneider, Cincinnati and Waugh, Chi
cago are close competitors for the
position but onne quite approaches
Alexander's standard.
Catcher Killerfern, who is Alex
ander's battery mate and who was sold
to the Chicago Nationals recently,
easily makes the place behind the bat.
His grand average is .629, eight points
better than that of Rariden, of New
York, Gonzalez, of ST. Louis, is third
and Wingo, of Cincinnati, fourth.
Among the first basemen Konetchy,
of Boston, and Chase, of Cincinnati,
are almost tied for first place; the
Braves initial sack guardian winning
the position by the scant margin Of
three points in grand average. Chase
has FIVE points the better of the bat
ting averages but Konetchy is eleven
points better in fielding with the net
results that the Boston player is the
choice for the bag.
Another Boston player that fits in
on the midway sack for Rawlings
records at bat and in the field show to
better advantage than either Cutshaw
of Brooklyn or Doyle, of Chicago. Of
this trio Cutshaw has the best bat.
ting average but Rawlings fielding
puts him to the fore with total of
GIG to Cutshaw's GIL and Doyle's
.6OS.
At third base Groh, of Cincinnati,
leads the field by a comfortable mar
gin. He batted 304 and fielded 1866
for a grand average of 635. His near
est rival is Zimmerman,o of eNw York,
who is thirteen points below the Gin
cinnati player. Zimmerman's figures
show that he batted seven points be-
low Groh and fielded nineteen points
below the season average of the win
ner of the place
The position of the shortstoj is earn
ed by another star, in the person OF
EIornsby, of st. Louis. He is twenty
five points better than his nearest
rival, Fletcher, of New York. Olson.
of Brooklyn, and Meanwhile, Of Bos-
ton, finished right at the heels OF
Fletcher but neither threatens the first
place laurels of Hornsby. The latter
hit 1927 and fielded .939 for the 1917
season, giving a grand average of .633.
For the outfeld, Roush, of Cincin-
natl; Wheat of Brooklyn, and Kauff,
of New York, form the leading trio.
Burns, of New York; Cary,of Pitts
burgh, and Neale, of Cincinnati show
Up we'll but none of them could wrest
place from the firstt hree mentioned.
Roush is six points better than Wheat,
while Kauff fall three points below
the latter's average,