New-York tribune., 1919-04-27
McCraw Prides Himself
On His Sterling Outfield
By w. J. Macbeth

Whenever, in the sporting line par
ticularly, New York happens to de-
velop something exceptionally good
great wave of resentment is raised
against the fact by cities which would
emulate New York's greatness in all
things 1t ever has been so in the
championship greatness of John J.
McGraw and his clubs. And it is 80
to-day. Certain western baseball critics
are throwing forty kinds of connip-
ton fits because reference was made
to the present outfield Of the Giants
as one of the best the national pas
time has known.
Writers of Detroit and Cleveland are
particularly exercised. They ask with
baited breath how presumptuous New
York critics can for a moment over
look those casts built around that per-
ennial all-round champion of cham
pions, Tyrus Raymond Cobb, in the
one city and about iris Speaker in the
other. In the mean time, the more meek
and cultured experts of the land of
the sacred cod arise with the cry that
Gotham as usual is trying deliberately
to slight its worlds champions in gem
eral and the king of sluggers, Babe
Ruth, in particular.
No Way of Comparison
1t is not the intention of the writer
to claim that John J, McGraw can
boast the greatest outfeld of all time
nor yet the greatest outfeld of the
present generation. Cleveland, with
its Speaker; Detroit, with its Cobb,
and Boston, with its Ruth, are GER
tainly entitled to their personal opin-
ions Argument will get one little, as
there is no good way of comparison.
Three of the outfields in question
are American League institutions and
National League teams mingle with the
rival organizations only in springtime.
when the players are not fit, or in the
fall, when two of them happen to be
lucky enough to qualify for the rich
worlds series spoils
I The writer will go on record, how
ever, that in his opinion McGraw has
an excellent outfield; certainly the
finest in the National League and one
OF the best of modern times 1t has no
iris Speaker, nor yet Ty Cobb, and
Babe Ruth has yet to prove his right
to rank among the great sluggers
through seasons run. Cleveland and
Detroit boast great outiield; better
outtields, no doubt. than the worlds
champion trio, despite the home run
clouting of Babe Ruth.
Yet | do not think McGraw would
swap even with tho Indians or Tigers.
He might az a matter of pyrsmiding
the almighty dollar against the i'm
mediate popularity of the game, but
not through cold calculation of the
years to come. For McGraws outheld
in the main has many more years of
service in prospect than either of the
combinations named.
Tyrus Raymond Cobb. as good as
ever, the Detroit critics toll VA, has
nevertheless served dozen years In
fast company and he haa been hitting
the highest apota Of hss physical ability
every moment of the time, lie ia h,gh
strung and temperamental not of the
lasting kind, like tho Cy Youngs, the
Larry LaJoies and tho Hans Wagncra.
lie Ia bound TO crack sooner or later
Speaker, too, has been knocking about
q long while, Many are OF the opinion
that he has struck the decline, though
detcnslvely he still appears the wizard
of old. Eliminating Speaker and Cobb.
there would be no thought of comparison
with New York's trio.
AS n left fielder Burns has few EQUALS
and no superiors. He is at least on a
par with Duffy Lewis. With such an
ambitious temperament as that of Ty
Cobb already he would have claimed the
pinnacle. There is nothing he cannot
do and do we'll. No one can go back
further in the position; none can come
in faster and surer. He is possessed Of
q wonderful whip and an accurate one
He is fast and a heady base runner
He is grand batter as we'll as q scien-
titic one.
Bashful George Burns
Burns is just about 80 per cent better
ball player than he seems. His bashful-
ness screens the glory that of right is
his. Burns is a veteran, it is true, but
one only arriving at the zenith of his
greatness. He is of the lasting type
that does not burn itself out in the dash
and fire of Cobb.
Benny kauff is great hitter He has
already proven his case. He is not hit
ting at the moment. His absence in the