The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-11-26
FREAK PLAYS
DRAW PRAISE
IN ANY GAME
Man Who Tries Brainy Stun and
Fails, Is Inevitably Put on
the Pan.
BIZ BILLY EVANS.

Very often IN any IoTh VI Gull
petition, a player who richly de-
serves praise for his part in some
play, is entirely overlooked.
This is particularly true in foot
ball. In the gridiron game the
spectators have eyes for only the
player who happens to be carrying
tht ball. If it is a kick or punt,
only the player who actually does
the kicking comes in for considera-
ton.
In football an attack that lacked
a defense wouldn't get very far.
The ffeet-footed runner chosen to
carry the ball wouldn't make much
Roadway unless his line held, and
he received proper interference
from his backs. In football the de-
fensive back is the main cog in the
machine. Yet the defensive back,
because he is either forming inter
ference or directly putting some
opponent out of the play, rarely at
tracts much attention from the
spectators.
What holds good in football.
often applies equally well to base
ball. However, in great many
cases a player receives much credit
for doing something he really didn't
intend to. And often when he pulls
a brainy play that fails, he is
PANIED because he was unable to
successfully execute it, rather than
being praised for the attempt he
made
The 1921 world series offered 4
fine example of the theory that I
am trying to prove, praise is not
always properly distributed. In the
first game of the series, Mike Nc
Nally made a brilliant steaI of
home. 1t was a beautiful play, in
which he got the break, timed the
pitch perfectly, and then avoided
the touch by skiiifuI slide. Nc
Nally was Landed for his fine effort
and deservedly so.
The following day, Bob Meusel
also stole home, and drew Just as
big type in the headlines. MeuseIs
play was not brain play that was
perfectly executed. Rather he got
away with it because Catcher Smith
put on the boxing gloves and cuffed
the ball all over the field instead of
making play on Meusel.
Now for the peculiar part of the
play. Bob Meusel never had the
slightest intention of getting away
with the steal of home, which won
him headline position in the sec
ond game. When MeuseI was at
bat, Catcher Smith of the Giants
proceeded to try to get his goat.
Here was the conversation.
We'll, how is the powder puff
right fielder?" No reply from Meu-
sci, who by the way had a brother
playing with the Giants.
Why your own brother says
you are yellow. l heard him call
you big gutter myself
Too Much for Meusel.
That was too much for MeuseI,
who replied.
We'll l hope l get a base hit and
manage to get around to third. If
do, get ready, for you are going to
have chance to prove your game
ness. l am going to dash for the
plate on the first ball pitched, and
will come in SO high you will wish
you had suit of armor."
Meusel made a hit. He turned and
gave Smith the laugh as he saw the
ball fall safe. He finally reached
third. and true to his word, dashed
for the plate no the first ball pitch
ed. He would have been an easy
out had Smith held the ball, and
then stood for the big crash How
ever, Smith dropped the ball and it
probably is just as we'll. There is
no telling what might have hap
pened Bob Meusel had proved that
he wasn't a powder puff ball play
er. However, he drew praise not
for that. but because he had stolen
home, which really was no part OF
the affair as far as Meusel was con-
cerned.