The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-18
DOYLE'S COMEBACK
LESSON TO PLAYERS
Giants Second Baseman Is
Playing Best Game in
His Career.
HANDICAPPED BY ILLNESS
His Greatest Disappointment
Was Shift From Local
Club to Cubs.
HANDICAPPED BY ILLNESS
by sHORTsToP.

by sHOHTsTOF.
The dolorous assertion to the effect
that they never come back" does not
ct the case of Larry Doyle. second base
man of the Giants, who to-day, at the
bge OF thirty-four years, IL playing as
well as at any time in his career.
In fact, Doyle's fielding excels his
record In previous years. Even when at
the top OF his form In 1912, and a COM
nittee of sporting writer's voted an auto
mobile to him on the ground that ne was
the most valuable player in the National
League, Doyle was by no means perfect
lie was a great second basepnan, but at
intervals he juggled the ball in a dis
uessing manner.
But to-day Doyle is the most con-
slstent of the Giant iHaelders. and not
only is sharing everything that comes
his way. but accepts numerous chances
that the average second baseman doesn't
even try for.
Shortstop has seen Doyle play regu-
larry since A90S, and remembers no year
IN which Boyle covered so much grtNind
as he has this spring. And he also Is
Playing a heady game. His backing up
Of first base in recent Giant-Brooklyn
series was one of the keenest bits Of
baseball seen in the greater city in years
Also. Is Hitting the Bail.
DOYLE in addition to sharp fielding is
hitting the ball forcefully and consist
tatly. Several victories for New York
have been due to his timely and powerful
drives over the walls for home runs.
The remarkable part of his return to
form is that Doyle perceptibly lost abil-
Aty a few years ago. The result was
that when he was traded to the Giants
81
hnd Boston. both the Cubs and Braves
Tossed him in for good measure to COM
blete other deals which they considered
Vital to the clubs.
j Even when Doyle led the National
league in batting in 1915, the year the
Giants dropped to last place, he appeared
T. be falling as fielder, and wasn't
lowering much more territory than the
kpot on which he stood.
Shortstop recalls some pertinent re-
marks McGraw made on Doyles fielding
that year:
Larry is hitting SO we'll that people
Don't notice his fielding. But, balls are
going through second every day for hits
that Doyle would have eatsA a few years
ago"
When McGraw realizes that a player
is losing playing form the stay of the
delinquent Is short. McGraw doesn't
jet sentiment interfere with baseball
Devlin, Bridwell, Seymour, Browne,
pahlen and others didn't remain long at
the Polo Grounds after they gave evil
dence of decreased ability.
1t Is questionable II McGraw even
rade a trade which affected him as did
the Doyle deal of 1916, but when he
had q chance to get Zimmerman from
the Cubs for Doyle and a few youngsters
n ire bargain he made the deal without
- T. NAI H.,
herman, and already had figured Herzog
ss his new second baseman.
Discouraged by Shift to Cubs.
Doyes experience in Chicago was the
most unsatisfactory OF his big league
tareer. He was discouraged by the news
that he had been traded to the Cubs a
cub against which he had played des-
perately since he began play in the
majors
IT'S all in the game. We fellows have
make the best Of II. Good-by. boyA"
tAid Doyle, as he left to Join Chicago.
bit for once his merry smile faded
Few patrons OF baseball know that
Curing the Federal League war. while
Doyle was with the Giants, committee
O. Federal League men met him In St.
Louis and offered him $1,000 in cash to
EZn three year contract. The $1,000
VS. merely an ernest of much more to
rome. Doyle refused because he said
J. had promised McGraw not to sign
VIII any one until lie talked with him.
Gentlemen. 1 appreciate what you
ERE offering me, but I can't break my
word for even $1,000" Doyle informed
the committee.
Shortly after joining the Cubs in
19l6 Doyle broke his right leg above
The ankle and he was disabled for the
Season
The injured leg still bothered him In
1917 and he suffered other injuries.
which handicapped him seriously. He
wasn't hitting, at least not in the
p!nches, and when he appeared on the
Polo Grounds he was but q memory
Of his former self.
The acknowledging feud. which de-
Teloped just before the 1917 Giant
IN the spring OF 1918 without second
baseman
Il became evident that Hsrzog would
rot remain with the Giants. and Nc
GraW was compelled To seek an ex-
perienced inhelder. The Cubs had no
use for Doyle, as young Kilduff played
such remarkable ball in the fall OF
lsl1 he was selected as Chicago's new
second baseman.
Returns to Polo Grounds.
Weeghman was spending large sums
1oT pitchers, and made a deal with
soston by which he sent Catcher Art
wilson, Doyle and money to Boston
10y George Tyler, the great lefthander.
Inc deal was chiefly on q cash basis.
tAe players being thrown In for good
measure
lhen Doyle was passed along to New
iork with Jesse Barnes, Bostons second
pest pitcher, for Herzog. Barnes again
was 'he leading figure in the deal. Doyle
being thrown in.
New Workers were glad to see Doyle.
'ut not a few shook their heads.
=, w nav does McGraw want with HIM
'ls hnlshed." they commented.
Hoyle was the sensation of the base.
Va" world in the spring OF 1918. wher
:" paved with the greatest brilliancy
Snd pa,'ed well over 400. Then came
t-'rs 'I 'Ick. He became Ill in a game
~ Boston and It was necessary for him
!" undergo an immediate operation. Il
vas SIX weeks before Doyle was able
!" reIo'n the team, and the operation left
~, weak and under weight Before tn,
49, Sason was halted by the work OF
-. order Doyle's 400 average haC
".reh down TO 26l.