The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-05
DOPESTERS FIND
 MUCH TO DEBATE IN RECORD BOOK

Dope seekers can find a lot of ma teriaI for debate in the 1917 Record Book. The regret is that it is not an- nually issued earlier. so that it's con- tents can be digested before thoughts turn to the season ahead. For in- stance, there is the "best team" that Ediotor John B. Foster picks for each major league-and with which few will agree, because Foster picks his players on the basis of leadership in certain departments which are not always essential. When Foster picks Ed Koney as the "best' first baseman in the National League, because he led the league in fielding he is bound to start an argument. Fans will not agree that percentage in fielding is any test of a first baseman's ability, any more than they will agree that the mere fact of leadership in sacri- fee hits qualities a third baseman to rank as a star. Every fan will have his own idea of what constitutes leading player, probably striking his own average which -suggests that there should be some system of consolidating work done by player and striking a per- centage based on hitting, fielding, base running, etc. Perhaps some of the demon statisticians can arrange such basis that will determine the value of player on percentage.
 One very fair basis of value can be gathered from the figures in the Dncnr1 PAnly thot ic in ton with pitchers. A run through the various leagues operating last year furnishes data on the leading winners in the box that is interesting. The fan may suggest that not games wor but effectiveness should be the rule for ranking, but the answer to this is that not all leagues have ranked pitchers on the earned run basis Sd no complete tabulation can be made on that theory.
 The averages for 1917 show there were only two pitchers in the country last season able to compile 30 victor iies-Grover Cleveland Alexander, O. the Phillies, who figured in just tha number of triumphs, and Eric Eric son, of San Francisco, who has beer recalled by the Detroit club, who par ticipated in 31 successes.
 Ericson, of course, had this ad vantage over Alexander: The play ing season of his league was 50 game longer and he had more time to pill up victories. The same objection cal { be raised to ranking pitchers ol games won throughout the tabulatiol below, for league seasons varied il length. Even so. winning is winnin and the showing is pretty fair esti mate of the pitchers worth. Tn truth of this is proven by the fact tha as rule the leading winner in eac- league was pretty well toward the to also on the earned run basis wher that basis is furnished for an estimate
 Most of the big winners in tn minor leagues have been acquired b clubs in the fast set. The Browns gc Grover Cleveland Lowdermilk, of Go lumbus. and the Phillies Fran (Dixie) Davis, of Louisville, this pal tieing for the honor of winning tn most games in the Association. Ther was a dead heat in the Internationf between Herz Thormahlen, of Bait more, who finished the season wit the Tanks, and Harold Thompson. Toronto, who would have started tt campaign with Clark Griffith if | hadn't decided to enlist with Unc Sam.
 The Southern's king. Carmen Hi of Birmingham, somes back to il Pirates, for whom he worked befor
 Cincinnati grabbed Snipe Conle who did some Rube Marquardish wol in straight wins for Dallas, and draf ed the Central Leagues monarch Carpenter, of Grand Rapids-only
 turn him back. Pittsburg had Ca penter in 1916.
 Red (Talkative) Torkelson, pa setter in wins in the Central Associ ton, wound up the year with Clev land, but he is working for Uncle Sa now, being a member of the Goa artillery at San Francisco.
 Naylor, of New Haven, the Eas ern's pitching prince, finished the SC son with Connie Mack and the T. Tactician has not yet sold him