New-York tribune., 1918-06-08
Ordered to Report to Ohio
Draft Board June a.
Cubs Loom Up
By Charles A. Taylor

Uncle Sam has called Benny hauH.
The most spectacular and probably the
most popular ball player under the big
tent to-day received word yesterday
from his local board at Pomeroy, Ohio,
that he must report for military SER
vice on June "a. 1t is expected that
Benny will be sent to Camp Sherman.
From the big tent to the bigger
Benny will make his way, and, judging
fielder ever displayed on the diamond,
if the opportunity comes he will be
found just as proficient in driving the
Hun home as he has been in driving the
Run home.
Call No Surprise
Benny expected the summons He
was ready In Chicago during the re-
cent Western trip of the Giants Benny
remarked that he couldn't keep from
his mind the picture of what was going
on "over there" II have just got to
get into that muss and help end it, "
said Ben.
Other members of the Giants who
have been much amused at the way
Benny was wont to devour box scores
and baseball dope in general, his mania
being carried so far at times that he
insisted on poring over the data he had
confiscated until the wee sma' hours,
have noticed of late that the sport
pages we're getting but fleeting glance
from Benny in comparison with the
time he spent in following the "big
game" in Europe.
- 1t had dawned upon Benny that the
game worth while was being fought out
on the Flanders diamond; that it would
probably go into extra innings, and he
felt it would be a fine thing to go to
the bat for Uncle Sam, perhaps in the
twentieth stanza, and help put the VIM
ming run across.
"These fans of baseball who applaud
my smash into the stands to-day and
ieer me tomorrow when / strike out
with the bases full are all right in
their place." was Ben's soliloquy. III
have been, in turn, thrilled and made
despondent by their tickle rawlings, but
| am anxious to replace the old bat
with the bayonet, a real war club"
Not Eager at First
It will be remembered that Benny at
first was rejected for Glass Ia by the
examining board because his right arm
is much shorter than the left. AT that
time he was satisfied with the ruling.
He was not a bit eager to join IN the
fray. but then the war did not appeal
to Benny as being of such serious
nature as it did later.
Lots of other folks figured the same
as Benny. But within the last few
months his ideas have changed. He is
IL 70 do hi
10 the physical defect Benny may be
called upon to do that bit behind the
lines, for he is an expert on the mech
anism and handling of automobiles.
He has been arrested for speeding sew
eral times and has been tumbed from
his car on various other occasions. So
there is no doubt Benny is qualified for
this particular line of war endeavor.
Perhaps Benny will be put in charge
of one of those latest model tanks and
instructed to plough right through to
Berlin No assignment would suit him
better. 1t would be worth million
home runs at the Polo Grounds to him
if he turned the trick.
Blow to Giant Hopes
The effect upon the prospects of the
Giants of winning another pennant
with Benny missing naturally presents
itself. The statistics show that during
the recent slump of the McGraw men.
which finally cost them first place,
Benny was about the only player to
keep up his standard.
His hitting has been hard and timely
and his fielding as brilliant as ever. To
he all-around playing of Benny is due
the fact that the Giants have not suf-
fered more defeats in the last few
weeks.
McGraw has two extra outfelders,
Jim Thorpe and Joe Wilhoit. Thorpe
is right t-handed hitter, while Wilhoit
bats from the opposite side Of the plate.
1t is presumed that the Giant manager
will therefore use the Indian against
southpaws and Wilhoit against right
handed fingers.
There can be no question but that
the loss of Kauff will greatly weaken
the Giants. In truth. it is more than
likely to cost the Polo Grounders the
flag. But if Benny can only perform
as valiant service for Uncle Sam, fight
ing for flag worth while, as he did for
Harry Hampstead under the inspira-
tion of the National League banner
the Old Cubs can take the puny base
ball gonfalon and welcome.