The Washington herald., 1918-01-29
BEST ALL-IIME
HURLER PUZZLE
Many Votes Cast for John
son, Young and Walsh as
Masters of Mound.

II you are ever looking for an argu-
ment or for a burning debate we have
the recipe.
Merely get in a bunch and mention
some one pitcher as being the greatest
of the lot for all time. Then sit back
and observe the language pour out in
a solid stream.
We found this out some time ago
when we unfurled our dope on the
greatest ball club of all time. This
lineup produced the expected amount
Of correspondence. Very few disputed
Buck Ewing's reign as catcher. Most
of them were willing to admit that
Eddie Collins, Hans Wagner and JIM
my Collins were supreme around the
infield.
Practically none disputed the over
whelming greatness of Cobb, Keeler
and Speaker.
But with all the wonder work that
Christy Mathewson has done from
1901 to 1916. the name Of the aIl-star
pitcher brought on the big debate.
The Master OF Mound.
In naming this selection there was
a wide discrepancy. Some of the old
timers stood by RadbouTne.
A few named Amos Rusie. But in
the main the votes were cast for Cy
Young and Walter johnson. with Ed
Walsh and Alexander also named.
Most Of those. however, who didn't
vote for Matty were for either Young
or Johnson. Here were the main ar
guments:
For Young-Won more ball games by
a wide margin than any pitcher that
ever worked. Pitched more ball games
by a wide margin than any other man.
Was therefore the most useful. Made
his great record with two clubs,
Cleveland and Boston-West and East
to show he could meet any change.
Worked with pennant winners and
with losing teams, but was always a
star.
For Johnson-Has been handicapped
most of the time by a weak club. but
in spite OF this did wonderful work.
Had more speed and was harder TO hit
than any other. Would have made an
even more remarkable record il he had
been with the Giants. as Matty was.
With a strong club hack Of him to get
a few runs would have been unbeat-
able.
Young. johnson and Matty.
There is so much to be said in favor !
Of all three men that no definite proof |
can ever he collected to settle the de- 1
bate. It is still a matter OF opinion, T,
and not a matter OF record.
All three were big. powerful men |
with a world Of stamina. Young had |
the greatest stamina Of them all, as
his twenty-five years OF work will 1
show, embracing over 800 ball games |
and over 500 victories. On the basis
OF games won. Young would lead the 4
field.
It may be that Walter johnson, |
pitching for the Giants. would have /,
reached the greatest heights OF the !
lot He has the stufr-about all the |
stun there is. Speed and control are 1
two great features, and he has both, |
and has both in abundance. But for l
all that, neither johnson nor Young
has ever shown Mathewson's amazing
versatility. He had fine speed in his
youth. and when this left him he stiu
remained a great pitcher through the
employment Of headwork and cour- 4
age.
Mathewson was winning pitcher
liter he had lost most of his speed. !
Would Young and johnson. minus !
speed, still be winning factorsg I
Mathewson also did an enormous
amount OF work that was never regis |
tered. Day after day he had to warm /
up in order to be able to relieve some 4
faltering mate. He did much more 1
OF this work than either johnson or
Young. In 1905 Mathewson worked !
almost every other day for the last |
few weeks. He was not Ed walsh's
equal in this respect. but for all that
his burden was heavy.
The Undisputed.
Four men on the all-star line were
absolutely undisputed. They were /
Hans Wagner. at short, and Cobb,
Speaker and Keller for the outfield.
There were those who believed that !
Chase should displace Tenny and that
I.ajoie should displace Eddie Collins. I,
Also that King or Mike Kelly or
Bresnahan should displace Buck Ew-
ing. But Wagner. Cobb, Speaker and
I<eeler stood unchallenged all the
way.
The Tive Leaders.
Out OF the entire array it was al
most universally voted that Wagner