Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26

be made to look foolish on some re-
markabfe performance because the
man at the other end was unable to
execute his part of the play.
Lajoie and Collins Even Up.
draw between Eddie Collins and Ma
poleon Lajoie. On first thought, both
Jennings and Keller handed the hon
or to Lajoie. and then they began
hedging slightly by paying all kinds
of compliments 20 Collins. The su-
periority of Lajoie as a batsman was
admitted, but even at that there was
question as to their value as hit
ters. Lajoie was conceded to be .
more graceful fielder than Collins.
but no more effective. Collins, OF
course was given credit for putting Q
little more dash in his style. as Larry
was of the easy going type Collins
of course. was given credit for being
by far the better base runner. kid"
Gleason adhered to the statement
that 1 have often heard him make
that no more valuable ball player
than Collins ever lived.
While admitting that number OF
good third basenen have been de-
veloped in the major leagues in the
past twelve years, all were CT the
opinion that no man has ever held
down that position in the majors VINO
could quite compare with Jimmy Col
Inns. All insisted that he didn't have
a weakness in the field. That he play
ed fast or slow balls with equal skill.
and that his throwing was marvel
stockily built, which might make IL
appear that hunted balls would gtve
him trouble, he was without q peer
in coming in fast, grabbing . per&eet
bunt and because Of his ABILITY 70
throw from any position, get may .
an tVnY
play. Bill Bradley was second cbotce
as a third sacker.
Only One Shortstop-Wagnsr. =
Hughey Jennings. with becoming
modesty, never mentioned himself
when the shortstop question was Pc
ing considered. but. believe me. keeier
and Gleason had a lot Of nice tnin8s
to say about the Tigers leader. Her
words, as did Bobby Wallace, but AL
three seemed to be perfectly satfs0ed
that for all around play no man over
covered the short heid to better so
vantage than Hans Wagner. win =
style that was anything but gracetoi'
Wagner covered q world OF grouno.
| Nature endowed him with a wondeffui
pair of hands, from a base ball point
of view, and once he got hold OF tne
ball, it seldom trickled through ~
| fingers. Possessed of fine arm, ne
used it most carefully ana never cve
| solutely necessary to do 30 TO get tne
While the old school had some re-
! markable outfieIders in Jimmy Me-
AIeer, Bill LANCE, Tommy McCaftny;
Hughey Duffy, Harry stoVey anu
Billy Hamilton, there seemed to De no,
doubt as to who was the worlds great
est outfielder. Keeler. himself mef,
vel in the field and at the bat, paid
Cobb a nice tribute wnen 40
marked: Cobb is the best bail player
| I have ever seen. Never expect 70
everything we'll. takes mniion
chances, and yet never seems to gei
| hurt He is fast, hits all kinds OF
pitching, is a great fielder. and. n.
! though his arm is not what 1t useo
to be, it is still good enough so tnes
runners take no undue hbertaeS
iris Sneaker ran a close second and.
Hap Felsch was highly touted ny
Gleason, who considers Felsch TAR
greater player than he has ever re-
ceived credit for. When 1t came 10
catchers, Buck Ewing was the cniel
topic Of discussion. l regres ve
much that I never saw Ewing IN
action. II he was just half as good -
the old-time players insist ne vas
there never will be another like MIN.
Undoubtedly some of the readers OF
this article may take issue with me
composite selection of Messrs. Jsn-
nings Gleason and Keller. but t
strikes me as being most exceuent-
| size-up of the situation All o. the
( trio, stars in their day. insist t.c
game is faster. that the progress m1oe
has been remarkable. and see NO rea-
son why the popularity Of the nancn-
al pastime should not steadily m
crease under proper administrator
hr " EXR0Rl