The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-01-24
FAIRMONT AND FAIRVIEN TEAMS PLAY TONIGHT
Three and Two

III = - - = = " ~ III
( Charles Doyle thinks there is a.
least one good right handed sticker
yet on deck.
/. Since the heydey OF Larry Lajoie
there has been only one righthand
batter with enough power 70 chase Ty
Cobb for the American League batting
honors. Allegheny comfy sent Joe
Harris into baseball. After reaching
the major leagues, the Coulter lad
proceeded to bat better than 200 in
his nrst season. Then came the war
and Joe went 10 France where he
proved his yalor as member OF the
Three Hundred and twentieth Intan
try. = - ~
After his discharge oe Jrejoined the
Cleveland Indians in mid-season of
1913, and despite the fact chat Doc
Johnston was playing first. and hitting
better than 300, the slugging righ-
bander was thrown into the fray The
result was that Joe bombarded the
pitchers furiously and finished second
to Cobb III offense value. --4y
II you have any hopes for the
Whitesox next season, look this over:
The American League pennant has
already been claimed for Cleveland by
Owner James G.. Dunn, but still the
impression prevails that the New York
and Detroit teams win not lay down.
and play dead when the. Indians are
on prowl. A maiority of critics, how.
ever, do not give the White Sol a
look in. The disintegration Of the
Chicago champions began with their
crushing defeat in the worlds series
End the subsequent charges OF fixing
directed against the Sox.
The White Sox barely staggered
through to victory last season. This
year the New York, Detroit, and
Cleveland teams and possibly others
will be stronger, but the Sox ap-
pear to be fading out. If Manager
Gleason harmonizes the discordant
Elements, induces all his star perfor-
iaers to return. and wins another PEN
nant he is indeed mircale man.
But reports from Chicago Indicate
that Gleason will be seriously handi.
capped. Chick Gandil, first baseman,
and Swede RisberG, shortstop. have
decided to quit the game. This may
be only the preliminary of salary
argument as far as Risberg is con-
cerned, but Gandil may not come back.
He requested his release some weeks
ago when he was offered the manage
ment OF a Pacific Coast League club.
1t was not forthcoming and so Gandif
says he will remain is California and
play independent baseball.
Oscar Felsch center fielder, who
was a decided Dust in the worlds
series, has asked Comiskey to give
him transfer. There is talk of Felsch
coming to The Yankees. hut It is Just
talk. However, 1t may develop into
a deal that will give Higgins third
star outfieldcr.
II Gleason must rebuild half his in.
field next season the Sox are likely
! to make q strong bid for the cham
pionshfp. By placing McMullin at
third base and shifting Buck Weaver
back to short, Gleason would have the
infied combination which was SO ef-
fective in the worlds series against
the Giants in 1917. But he would still
lack an experienced first baseman.
There are two candidates for Gan
dA's job. One is Ted Jourdan, who
snbbed for Gandil in 1917, served IN
the army III 1918. and played whale
or game for Minneapolis last year.
Fred Henry. last season at Milwaukee
and Toledo, is another, possibility.
The Chicago club has had strong
on Henry for two years
The strongest juvenile candidate
for third base or shortstop is Harvey
Mcclellan, who was carried last sea-
son as utility man. Gleason thought
so well OF Mcclellan that he refused
two or three tempting offers made by
other American League managers.
Here we have a few. sidelights on
that peculiar animal known In many
parts of the world as the Baseball
scout: f
The original baseball scout was a
Judge Of players who Travelled from
town to town and reported on the
talent recommended 10 the club
owner or manager who employed him.
His duties kept him busy only two or
three months year. The now type
Of scout, however, is something more
than player-procurer. He Is a sort
OF diplomatic agent who attends to
numerous details OF smoothing out
difficulties between players and the
management.
The modern scout takes TO the road
early in the year. 1t Is his business
TO call on valuable players who threat.
en- to retire. He must induce them to-
listen to reason and to sign on the
dotted line at figure acceptable to
the club. He must dig up players to
replace those who may actually quitl
He visits the various training camps.
and lists yonngters- 1rhn. may he runrtl,