Arizona republican., 1922-01-09
SPORTING
SPLINTERS

Judging from the way the mag
mates paid out fancy prices for ball
players, the season of 1921 was the
most profitable. If the paying OF
such prices is due to the desire to
beat the income tax, why not cut
down the profits by reducing the
price of admission? That would serve
the purpose and make a much big
ger hit with fandom.
Unless the unexpected should hap
pen it would seem that Detroit had
lost all chance of getting Shortstop
Everett Scott. Cobb had hoped to
build up his infield around this vet
eran star. Now that he has gone
to New York in exchange for Peck
inpaugh, it would seem Detroit had
not a look in.
Lew Blue was unquestionably the
best looking player to be developed in
the American league last year. He
played a bang UP game at first base
for Detroit. 1t was feared that he
wouldn't be able to hit. However, his
hitting was on a par with his SEN
sational work in the field.
Eddie Ainsmith is slated to do most
of the catching for the st. Louis
Cardinals next year, according to
Manager Hickey. Here is a catcher
who was waived out of the American
league without any trouble, yet stars
in the National league. Proving that
you can never tell in baseball.
Howard Shanks will have no OPP
position at third base at Washing
ton next spring. Every year the Ma
tionals sign couple of youngsters
to replace Shanks but they never
get very far. 1t is said that Crit
fifth has finally decided that Shanks
is better than five or six other third
sackers in the American, and the
job is his.
owen Bush, former Detroit Tiger
star now with Washington, is anx-
ious to try managing minor league
club, when all the major league teams
decide to waive on him. Bush seems
to have a couple of years more of
big league ability in his system, and
Griffith will probably hold on to
him until he has picked up a short
stop who will fill the bill at Wash
ington.
Walter Johnson has been mentioned
in connection with "Zeb" Milan, as
the next manager of the Washington
club. Johnson would scarcely accept
the position If it was offered to him.
Incidentally, it is doubtful If he would
make a good manager. Walter is
such likeable fellow, the players
would be prone to take advantage
of his kindly disposition.
Almost every club in the American
league offered cash to Connie Mack
for Joe Dugan. Connie was willing
to listen to trade talk at the Amer
lean league meeting, but wanted
players as we'll as money. Dugan
with his ability, plus youth, is the
most valuable third sacker in the
American league.
Red" Faber was .one of the few
major league pitchers who wasn't
bothered by the lively ball last sea-
son. With a second division ball
club Faber had one of the great
est years of his career. He seemed
to be better pitcher last year than
at any time since he poined the Chi
cago club. His side arm spitball
is a most deceptive delivery.
Elmer Smith of the Cleveland club
feels the same way toward Boston
as Stuffy McInnis does Cleveland.
Smith regards Cleveland as his home
and doesn't like the idea of going to
Boston. Incidentally, he doesn't care
to play on club that shunts its play
ers around as does F'razee.
Youth must be served in baseball
as in all other sports. OF the play
ers who were active in the Ameri-
Cobb is the only one to remain in
active service. While Cobb lacks
| some of the dash and fire that char
acterized his play dozen years ago
he is still able to show the way to
most of the athletes, young as well
as old.
Ordinarily a player is delighted
to get away from a second division
| club to join a team that has a chance
| to win the pennant. That is what
| makes the threat of McInnis that he
will not join the Cleveland club ex
| cite so much discussion. McInnis
will be with Cleveland when the sea
son starts. No doubt he wants Mr..
F'razee to hand over a bit of pur-
/ chase money Here's hoping he does
Unless Cleveland adds more pitch
ing strength, unless st. Louis patch
es up the weak spot at second un.
less Washington shows a more con
sistent from, New York looks like
the one best bet in the American
league to win. OF course there is
always a chance that some dar.
horse may upset the calculations
Joe Judge is often overlooked when
considering the best first sackers in
the major leagues. Joe is fast can