The Washington times., 1920-09-20
Peeking at Thirdsackers
THIRD BAsEMEN FIELDING, RECORDS.
THIRD BASEMEN BATTING RECORDS.

part, hitting 1913 in 1917, and .324 In
1910. In fact, Weaver was the only
one among the Sox regulars who was
continually on his toes during the
worlds series Of last year.
Larry Gardner. a veteran OF many
hard compaigns. who was member
of three worlds champion Red Sox
teams, is little behind Weaver in brill
liancy and, on the whole, Is more
steady player.
Next to Speaker. Gardner Is the
most valuable man on the Indians
and the most dangerous in the pinch.
repeatedly have heard American
League pitchers say that they would
as soon face Ruth in a close game,
one of the kind decided by one run, as
Gardner.
HITTING FOR .So7
Gardner is hitting .307, his third
highest American League average,
while he is fielding. 977, topping the
third-sackers.
Gardner's batting averages in for
mer worlds series are not particu-
larly meritorious. He hit .179 in
1922 .235 In 1916. and .176 in 1915.
But such hitting as he did was timely.
In 1912 he knocked out the sacrifice
fly that scored Yerkes with the de-
Gliding run of the deciding game, and
in 1916, two of his three hits were
homers.
For quite a time this season a
warm argument ragged in New York
as to who was the better player be-
tween Frankie Frisch of the Giants
and Aaron Ward Of the Yanks. Both
players are youngsters who were
called upon this season to fill the
shoes of such stars as Frank Baker
nd Nj hn trf
however. now goes to Frisch, due to
his superior hitting and base running.
In fielding there is little to choose be-
tween the spectacular pair.
Though weakened for some time
Frisch. tho Fordham Flash. now In
Frisch, the fordham Flash. now is
hitting $50. and he has stolen 81
bases He ranks third among the six
contending third basemen'in fielding
with .987.
SOME THINK HIM BEST.
There are some critics who believe
that Ward plays the best game at
third base of any third basemAn in
the country. He is a marvel on the
defense. and while he doesn't hit con-
sistentIy he occasionally crashes
homers attest that fact.
Heinie Groh, the spectacular little
third baseman of the Reds. Isn't hit
ting as hard as usual this year, though
the latest average has him rated at
.297. However, Heinie still In next to
Rousch the most dangerous man on
the Reds on the offense. and remains
the greatest fielding third baseman in
the National League. He has made
only 10 errors in 123 games and runs
second among the third basemen Of the
contenders with fielding average OF
.975.
Groh's batting was a big d'sappoint-
ment to his friends and admirers in
the series of last fall, as he hit only
.175, TSl 2 OF his hits came In the
last game of the series. when Cincin-
natl overwhelmed tho White Sox. 10
to 8.
Jimmy Johnston. the Brooklyn third
baseman, is hitting .2s1. a tidy aver.
age, and the best ne has ever done in
the majors. Like Kilduff, the Brook
iyn second basemap, he doesn't look
like great deal on paper. but he gets
most everything that comes his way.
lie ranks last among the third base
men In fielding with an average of go
while his total chances and his scnnt
number Of double plays show Jimmy
still has something TO learn at his new
position
Copyright 1899. by Al Munro Eliss)