New-York tribune., 1919-05-18
BY w. J. Macbeth


trade-fan. manager, player and owner.
1t is true hero-worshippers soon for
get their idols when they have passed
actively out Of the game. But not
until they have passed.
Only the old-timers live in the
glories Of the past, it is true. But the
great fraternity of baseball en-
thusiasts ask much before accepting a
newcomer into the inner shrine Of its
affections. The critical enthusiast Is
not satisfied with a demonstration OF
two. Seldom is he satisfied with a
full seasons run of success.
1t takes player two or three years
or more, irrespective of his worth. to
attain suoh niche as that enjoyed by
such illustrious stars as Cobb.
Speaker Chase and their kind. New
York would not accept the great Ben
jamin Kauf on his face value at first,
though he came with reputation al
ready achieved. The Big Town still
reserves Judgment on our Pep Young,
though daily he Is showing the skill Of
veteran brilliancy and promises soon
: to rank in the highest consultations
Of all-round baseball usefulness.
Another Pitching Star
With the reticence of the species in
mind, then, we wish to call attention
to a presence in the Giants midst who
should be welcomed by the New York
ian with all the warmth formerly &C.
e corded its great pitching idols Of the
past-lts Mathewsons, its McGinnitys.
us fusles and its Schupps. We refer
you, gentlemen (and ladies), to Jesse
& Barnes, of Guthrie, III.
y. In the matter Of claim to fame. as in
almost anything and everything else
one need go no further than the cold
facts of records. Before cominp to
New York Barnes has proved in the
most unmistakable fashion that he WAC
possessed of every attribute of nitch-
ing greatness-of a genius in the hox
IN TACT. Since he has served with tho
GIANTS even more forcibly Barnes ba.
demonstrated the fact.
10 what height Barnes NAV rise IN
nus professional career time onIv will
answer. In neither major leaeue ;s
mere young man of his age with
orignter prospects to-day. He has ac-
compllshed wonders already. Pitchers
rated higher-such men as Alexander
Johnson, Vaughn, Ruth and the like
are SO rated because of their 1onoar
experience.
AS a Giant Barnes has done all that
mas oeen asked of him to do, which Is
the main answer In any line of en-
oeavor. And he has done 1t to the nth
power of perfection. This season he
mas won five games in a row. He is
yet undefeated. Had he been with
McGraws men all of last season there
might have been a different pennant
tale Barnes went into the army earlv
last season. Before he Joined the
colors he won six games in a row for
tne Polo grounders. He was beaten
just before he left civil life-beaten in
a game he should have won.
~Ihe one undeserved loss chalked up
against Barnes as Giant pitcher does
not seriously affect his local credit
when the balance is thrown up. He
has won eleven games and lost onlv
one-a percentage Of .S17, which would
get anybody by in any company. And
Barnes has the rosiest part Of his
career In prospect.
Only Is Years Old
This young gentleman, who Is proud
to claim Guthrie, ILL.,, as the place Of
his nativity, Is only twenty-five wears
OF age. And he has but reached the
rosy spot of experience that leaves him
at top form in effectiveness and vigor.
Barnes is we'll set up young man.
He stands five feet ten inches in
height and weighs 17s pounds. He is
OF the sinewy, whipcord type that
yUo2 L.
shoulders, but a wasp waist. He has
powerful hands which enable him to
put plenty of stuff on the ball.
Barnes has wonderful speed and
plenty to supplement it, He has what
but few real speed demons ever pos-
.sessed before their hop began to fade
"a fine, sharp breaking curve, And
he can throw slow ball or floater
with the best Of them. Furthermore
and what Ia most important. his
strength does not all lie south Of the
Adams apple. He has baseball brains
He has made study Of batting weak
snesses on the part Of opposing clubs
Few old-timers know the batters weak.
nesses better than he. And Jesse ha.
the control necessary to pitch to those
weaknesses.
This Is only Barness third year IN
the big show and two of his years were
wasted with somewhat hopeless cause
sup at Brave Field, Boston. When one
considers that he pitched only seven
games last season the present NAV
even be rcckoned his third year in fast
company. He did break In with Stall
3ings's Braves back In 1915, but toward
the fag end Of the season He pitched
only forty-five innings that fall.
In 1916, With Boston's Nationals
Barnes got his first chance. He took
part In thirty-thrce games, winning
six and losing fourteen. The Braves
that year were a hopeless aggregation
OF nisfits in which the cleyerness Of
Barnes could not fall to stand out
etnHngly. In 1917 Barnes cook part
In fifty games, still with bad club
winning thirteen and losing twenty.
one.
II was in tho winter OF 1sf7-'1s that
McCraw obtained title to Barnes
He traded Charlie Herzog and Jimmy
Smith for Larry Doyle and the pick Of
ST. llings's pitchers. stallings thought
McGraw had his eye on the veteran
Dick Rudolph, and was 10 Distressed
when Mac named Barner that he at.
tempted to call the deal of. Stallings