The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-04-09

standard OF the league, when B on
tbs average. stronger" In the +shortstop
position than in any other. possessing
more really brilliant players at short
than the American League .caneboa1t
Meanwhile coming back to- his old
club, of course. maintains thej class Of
the league. There was some fear that
the Rabbit might have-sslowedl up some
during his navy career, but ittis report
ed that he is in finer physical, condi-
ton right now than heausudalyt twas at
the start OF season.
There will be eight great fielding
shoftstops In the National this season.
with Olson ranking last. although only
ewenty-eght points behind the leader
in fielding. who OF course, Is MaEan-
vile, by q slight margin. Aollacher
might have gained the lead but Tor tho
fact that he demonstrated last season
many times the fact that he is not
strong In moving to his right and q
slow starter after ground balls hit be-
tween him and third base unless set
Also, Hollacher. In spite. OF bis ardent
adorers, must learn to study hatters
better II he ever IS to rank WIKI tho
great shortstops Of the past
In the American League the talent
ia not so evenly dis rfbuted and the
difference In rating Is moro marked.
Cleveland leading by q short, margin
over the Yankees. Pecktnpeush. Chap
man, Bush and Scott rank extremely
close together in the figures Bush
who usually figures best OF them oil,
has slipped hack q u1f1e and besides
that 1 was compelled to reduce his
value somewhat because Of his deter
ndnation to hold out SO long Bush has
not been drawing the number OF bases
on balls in the last two years that he
used to. Bases on balls gave him the
greatest value IN attack Of any OF the
shortstops, and as he drops back The
loses offensive strength.
Peckinpaugh and Chapman Both
went great guns last season ana Kept
I'D the gait even during tho slump tf
interest following the work-or-ftSht
order. Chapman looks wonderfully
we'll after his experience In the army
and started South in superb physical
condition and so full Of. pep that he
hardly could be held.
think. in fact, that pep and enthusi-
as1n are going to be the trade merk .
the Cleveland outfit this year. I sod
dom have seen crowd OF fellows 80
eager and so anxious to help others It
Ia a regular mutual admiration society
among the players. and that inciaoes
the owner, which Is rare ana he1p1uA
thing.
You understand that In no case can
we figure the shortStop value OF any
team on one man. Not one indelder IN 4
q hundred plays every game IN Sc
son, so these figures never express eH:sS
actly the value Of one player. oa1 ON
the regular player In conjunction VithH
the value Of his understudy. asnau7
dgure the underst1dy IN 10 per cen'
the games. unless regular IS gre
DID ana is liable to be out OF farge
numher Of games. This Is told to e1-.
n,a1n the rather low rating Of the EeSA
"a 90 white Sox. McMullen at this writ 1
ne seems lost to tn team, which ID
zeal loss as he was not only g. capaote
bird baseman, hustler. and nearly az
rood az Weaver, but Weaver Is as good
~ not better-a shortstop as he - q
tbird baseman, so Weaver really was
he understudy of both. The So1 could
ose either a third baseuan or SNORT Y
top without weakening the team to anvil
extent. They have Aear'H
who is showing lot Of ability but Hlo7l
Mullen was q known quantity.
A GOOD inheld understudy In worth
,,noost as much as a regular to any
co. and some Of the clubs which are
v,thout capable subs on the bench care
yoing to be hit hard. This player Omit
nile makes the doping easier, but also
= makes It risky. as an accident hap
,enine to q team without strong SUB
,titute, especially versatile one VIII
.,,t the position and team values haro
md nerhaps upset the entire dope.
IN the next article we will tackle the
.bird baseman. where some big changes
may be looked for.
1919, by the Bell Syndicate,
Inc.)