The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-09-28

BY FREDERICK c. LlEe.

An OF the possible World Series clubs
are strong In Lett field. Especially is
this true of the Chicago White Sox
and Brooklyn Dodgers. who have Joe
Jackson and Zack Wheat, their respec-
tive smuggling stars, IN that pasture The
New York Yankees have a strong, steady
left fielder in Duffy Lewis, and one
who has flashed most brilliantly in past
World Series Jameson, of Cleveland,
former pitcher. Is having a grand
batting season, while Duncan. the Reu
left fielder, is a likely player George
Burns. the veteran fly chaser OF the
Giants, has fallen down somewhat IN
his batting this year, but there are rev
left -Fielders who can go back for them
with the grace ana agility of the little
Giant star,
AS Brooklyn now Is forging strong
ly to the front in the National league,
from now on we will devote most Of
our attention to Robby's players while
discussing the Heyder contenders.
1t has long been an argument among
the fans OF Manhattan and Brookiyn
bofoughs OF New York as to whether
Burns or Wheat was the greater. wheat
is easily the better hitter, as with the
passing of years his bingllnG has kept
up better than that of Burns.
At the age OF 81, Zachary still Is
cutting the bah as hard as at any time
in his career, In fact he has passed
his present average Of 1922 only once
during his career. That was in 1918,
when he led the National league in
punching out base hits. With the ex-
ception OF Shoeless Joe Jackson, Hack
leads all the rival left fielders in slug.
ging with 20 doubles, IL triples ana
homers
He stands up well as a fielder, too,
and is tied with Jameson in the left
fielding averages with .97S. lack mas
made only 6 errors in 254 chances.
Wheat has taken part in only one
World Series, the Brooklyn rout of 1916,
when he fell down with the rest of the
against the Red Sox pitchers that fall.
and did not play his usual star game
in left field.
should the Chicago White Sox get
into the World Series again, the Amer
lean league would have decided ad-
vantage in the position we now are
discussing, as there Is only one Joe
Jackson, Just as there Is only one Babe
Ruth and one Iris Speaker.
jackson Is having his best season
since 1912, and has been clipping the
ball with vengeance all season. For
quite stretch this season the Caro-
linian was riding above the 400 mark,
hut his present average OF .3S2 is quite
nifty. Thirty seven doubles, 10 triples
and 10 homers show how Joe has been
leaning on the ball
Jackson also is a grand fielder. In
fact though Joe is veteran of ten
major league seasons. the shOe'ess Won
der still is learning new Quilted tricks.
lie is far better fielder today than
he was five years ago, and has made
"A greater study Of opposing batSmen.
Jackson has hit over. 800 IN both of
his World Series .304 against the
Giants in 1917 and .375 against the Reds
last fall
player who can't be judged by his bat
ting or fielding statistics. Lewis start
ed to slow up before the season started
and fractured ankle in June, which
kept Duffy on the side lines fer six
weeks, has not increased his speed But
for World Series purposes Lewis Is
an ideal player Grover Cleveland AL
exaRdcr and tho Brooklyn pitchers Of
1916 win attest TO that fact.
Lewis Is hitting .2S3 this season, a
fairly Satisfactory average but his use
fulness comes through his ability to hit
in the pinch or 10 get on in close
games The tighter the game the more
effective Lewis becomes IN games
where the Nanks slough opposing pitch
ers for fifteen or more hits, Lewis does
little hitting He saves his bing!es for
times Of greater need.
Lewis hit only 1856 in the, World s
Series OF 1912, but .i44 against the
PhilNes in 1915 and asa against the
Dodgers In 1916 while his left field
work in 1918 was one Of the greatest
exhibitions ot outficlding ever seen in
World Series
Clevelands LETT fielder and lead off
nnn has been ore Of the amazing fen