The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-19
Iris Speaker Is
 Most Popular of
 Baseball Leaders
Indian Pilot Idolized By Both Players and Fans Alike.
 Deserves All Praise
By JAMES J. CoRBETT

No man ever played in a world series whose popularity from beginning to the end of the struggle was greater than that 1f Speaker.
 Every titular combat since 1903 has brought fourth one hero or another. Each has been acclaimed wonderful by -he crowd and frequently drew great ovations even from the opposition fans. But the cheers and the greatness of hese men in the past have been but whispers in comparison with the tumult of applause given to Speaker with his very appearance on the field.
 The Dodgers fans accorded the Indian manager a royal welcome when he ap- ieared for the first game in Brooklyn and every time he went to the plate hereafter he drew a cheer. In Cleve- and, the leader was applauded to the echo whenever he entered the field of jay and always drew a round of aD- olause when he went to the bat.
 DESERVES PRAISE
 And richly does he deserve all the praises and kidness showered upon him
 dHOoiH duHl6S 611u opcdhtl not merely because of his individua brilliance, but because of his remarkable eadershp. All through the season Of 92o he encountered one discouragement ? Ger another. Nearly a dozen times turing the year his club, apparently sail ing along smoothly to pennant heights encountered misfortune which sent it toppling from the crest. Any other pilot faced by what seemed to be merciless iinx, might have erumpled and quit But not so with Speaker. No matte how great the catastrophe which befel aim and his mates, he spurred them or imbued them with his own remarkablf 4ghting spirit, never permitted them f 'hink otherwise than that they woul6 triumph. And triumph they did.
 That's leadership-great leadership And because of it, added to the fac that Speaker is one of the very greates' outfelders that ever lived, the Texan is q hero--and beyond.
 RESPECT OF PLAYERS
 The popularity of Speaker with tn fans great as it is, is but trifling ii comparison with the feeling of his play CTS toward him. They admire him, re spect him, love him. And when sub climates idolize a leader it is the ulti mate compliment that can be paid,
 Inere never was f1ldtdScT llN' Speaker" declares Steve O'Neill, tn treat Indian backstop. tsHe Is boss, bu he's one of us. He never drives us; neve criticizes. But he's ever ready to helr He has made our club one big family The rookie has as much to say in mak ing suggestions as the oldest veteran This welcome advice from every fellov on the team, and no bit of good advic is ever cast aside. And the best part c it is that whenever a suggestion is mad which is adopted and becomes success ful, Iris doesn't try to grab the credi for himself He gives it all to the ma who made it.
 Speaker is an inspiring leader. No on can play under him who doesn't get hi ardor. his enthusiasm and his earnest ness. Speaker is a fighter from start finish-but Speaker is the type who fight cleanly He is not rowdy hinsel never was and he won't stand for from any of his players.
 "'Beat 'em squarely, beat 'em hor estly-fght all the tirne--but fight clear i, ly,' is the Speaker motto. and 1t seem to me that there is no motto better nc one that will produce greater results, v | Copyright 1920 by King Feature Syndicate, incl