Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-09
BY BILLY EVANS.
American League Umpire.

Dick Kerr of the Chicago White Sox
was the hero of the 1919 world series.
Little Dick, however, had strenuous
time getting into that role. For some
unknown reason, major league man
ayers have always looked with dis
favor on pitchers small of stature.
The dark horse of the recent series
is about the smallest major league
pitching machine in captivity. Natu-
rally, Kerr had more than his share
of trouble getting an opportunity to
prove he could make good as big
Lacquer.
Most managers, when considering a
pitching possibility. work on the
theory that the bigger he is the better
chance he has to deliver in the majors.
Despite the fact that any number of
SiX-footers who have tipped the scales
in the neighborhood of zoo have failed
dismally and an equal number of
small fellows have made the grade,
the belief that a small pitcher starts
under big handicap will not down.
Perhaps no pitcher ever suffered more
than Kerr because of his lack of
height and weight.
Ny first recollection of Kerr dates
hack three or four wears, when Jack
Egan was managing the Milwaukee
club of the American Association. For
. number of years Egan had been an
American League umpire, and I had
been doubled up n great deal with
him. When he branchea out as =
manager / was interested in his sue
cess. and followed the scores of the
Milwaukee club closely. I early noted
a fellow by the name of Kerr was
doing fine work for Eran. ] also no
ticed that whenever Eean needed a
pitcher To hold a narrow lead Kerr
was invariab bly, called upon.
Egan Recommended Kerr.
About the middle of the season Eean
was in Chicago on business, came out
10 Comisk-y Park. dropped into my
dressing room. and we had a long
chat; His club was leading the race.
and | thOr~ht F-9n had great chance
for the penpaut. He was not optimis-
tic. and said his pitching was not
stron~ enough to carry him through.
1T %on1y had couple more pitch
ers Xix" Kerr ! would win in a walk"
seid Egan.
That caused me to feel sure the i'm
preston 7 had gotten of hin from
merely reading the box scores was
not overexarEerated. had never
seen Kerr. but I had the thought that
he was big fellow ard right hand-
when Egan told me Kerr was a wee
chap and l6ft-hander. Mention of
Kerr's rame caused Exam to go off
into eu1o9y of his pitching ability
which is still fresh in my memory.
"This fellow Kerr is n sure enough
big Lacquer" said Egan. "but I don't
seem TO he able to make any one else
think that way. He is better lett
handler than as per cent of the south
paws in the two big leagues. He
lust 70
carry him THROUGH. but he has a good
curve nice slow ball and an ex-
cellent change of mace. And talk
about nerve. why. that peewee has
the CUTS of a burglar. A real profess
sional burglar. not an amateur. Any
trouble. and I look over the bench,
Kerr is always staring right at me.
Usually he is holding out his hand
for a ball. signifying his readiness to
time said the word. I have written
a dozen big league managers about
him. At least a score of major league
scouts have looked him over, but they
all shook their heads and said he
is too small to even have a slim
chance of coming through"
Mcriarty Knew Of His Ability.
This spring when saw Kerr with the
Chicago club I recalled my conversation
with Eean. Umpire George Moriarty
was working with me and I told him
about Kerr's work at Milwaukee. 1t
seems that before coming to Milwaukee
Kerr had put in year at Memphis, and
Memphis that year was under the man.
agement of Moriarty. Strangely enough.
Moriarty told story almost a parallel
Of Eean's. Kerr. while pitching for
Memphis had made a great impression
on Moriarty. He strongly recommended
him to number of ma ior league clubs.
He insistertly urged his former club.
Detroit. that no mistake would be made
in giving Kerr trial, but always the
story Of the scouts was the same-'Kerr
looks good in the minors. but even to
consider him as a big league possibility
would be a joke"
Kerrs chance came when Chicago
signed him. but even then no one fig
ured him more than long shot. He
made good with the White SoX. but not
in a sensational way that caused him
TO break into the head lines in black
print. During the first month or so a
lot of people didn't know there was such
a fellow as Kerr with the White Sox.
Then came his chance to finish games
practically regarded as lost. He pitched
superbly In most Of his chances. Man.
ager Gleason was much impressed. Then
came his chance to act as a sure-enough