New-York tribune., 1921-01-24
Frisch Returns
Signed Contract
To the Giants
Ex.Collegian To Be Shifted
to Second Base if Rapp
Succeeds at Third Corner
By r. 7. Kelly

contract Tor the coming season, 1t was
announced last night by Secretary Joe
stars of the New York infeld are now
safe within the fold for the next cam
paign, as Dave Bancroft, the sterling
shortstop, affixed his signature to
contract last week. AS matter of
fact, Frisch signed his contract several
months ago, and this was announced
exclusively in The Tribune of Novem-
ber 27.
Manager McGraw was so we'll pleased
with the showing of Frisch last season
that he readily consented to give the
youngster a substantial increase in
salary when the two discussed terms
! last October just before the Giants
left for Cuba on their transforming
tour. The contract is for one year.
1t is still matter of conjecture
as to what position Frisch will hold
down in the Giants infeld next sea-
son. If Rapp, who was purchased from
sociation last fall, is tried at third
base and lives up to expectations at the
far corner, the "Fordham Flash" will
| be shifted to second.
Frisch has been anxious to play at
the keystone ever since joining the
local club. McGraw also wants to
make the change if he can secure a
capable third baseman. The Giants
manager has declared on several occa-
legian to develop into one of the great
est second basemen that ever PLAYED
the game.
Many "Turn-Ovcr" Batters
In the event that Rapp makes good
at third base the Giants will have
three regular infielders who are turn
OVER batters. Frish and Bancroft, as
well as the former minor league star,
MT from both sides of the plate. This
VIII give the New Yorks added hitting
strength, as the batting order can then
be so adjusted that six or seven of
the regulars will bat from the same
SIDE SIDE OF the plate, depending on whether
the opposing pitcher is ght-hander
or southpaw
j., Frisch, like George Sisler, is one of
the few collegians who have earned
iegualr berth on major league team
IN their very first year in the big show
ne came to the Giants in June of
1919, and at the end of the college
season, on the recommendation of Ar
thur Devlin, baseball coach at Ford
nam University and the greatest third
baseman of his day.
/ Up at Fordham Frisch will 1ono bc
remembered as the greatest all-around
alhlete that ever wore the Maroon of
Ine Bronx institution. Not only was
ne diamond luminary, but he per
formed equally we'll on the gridiron.
the basketball court and the running
track: His brilliant football playing
lr 1918 earned him a place on Walter
camps second all-American team.
Also Star at Football
Many authorities who witnessed his
per1oTmances during. that season de-
clared Frisch was the greatest half
back they had ever seen in action.
Had he been member of one of the
country's more formidable elevens, he
would, no doubt, have been recognized
as The the premier player Of the year.
Inc playing of Frisch on the Ford
ham nine Of 1919 stamped him as the
greatest college diamond athlete of the
last decade. He was sensational
fielder and batted we'll over the 400
mark. He received fattering offers
from the Giants, Yankees, Red Sox and
Ilgers, but he preferred to play on a
team of his native city and decided to
cast his lot with McGraw.
Frisch's first real test as a major
Lacquer came in August, 1919, during
! the memorable six-game series with
the Reds at the Polo Grounds, when the
New York and Cincinnati clubs were
fighting for the lead in the pennant
race. He was rushed into the game to
relieve the fast weakening Larry DOYLE
at second base and, despite the inten
slty OF the situation, the untried youth
made good from the start.
Regular in First Season
Frisch was in there to stay, and he
finished that season as a regular. The
rapidity of his ascent from compara-
tive obscurity to the heights of star
dom has perhaps rarely been equaled.
HIS chain lightning speed soon earned
for him the title of the "Fordham
Flash" Since that time he has become
1 recognized as one Of the best third
basemen in the game to-day
On the training ship last spring all
sing his praises, but none sung them
louder than his own manager, McGraw.
Almost at the outset of the last cam
paign the former Fordham star was
laid low with an attack of appendicitis,
but he recovered rapidly. and by mid
summer was back in the game again
with all his former dash and brilliancy.
buoyed by his return and the acquisi-
ton of Dave Bancroft from the Phil
iles, the Giants made a valiant but vain
| night for the National League pennant.
but were forced to be content with sec
ond place.
In fielding Frisch ranked third
among the third basemen of the Ma
tional League last season. He played
in 109 games and compiled mark of
.967. His batting mark for the year
was .280.
1t was also announced last night that
the contract of Pitcher Olin Voigt had
| just been received. The latest addition
to the Giants roster is a left-hander
and was purchased from the Rockford
Club of the Thwe-Eye League last fall.
Chandler High Gunner
In Yacht Club Shoot
A. Chandler, a visitor, was the high
scratch gunner in the shoot at t6e
Larchmont Yacht Club yeaterdav. He