The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-02-05
PADDOCK IS WISE
IN STAYING HOME
Great Splinter Declines to
Compete Here, as He Is
Off Form.
by DICK LANDoN.

New York athletic followers were
greatly disappointed when they heard
recently that Charley Paddock had re-
fused to participate in any of the indoor
meets in the East this winter. 1t came
as rude shock to those who had ex-
pected to sec tho California Flash" in
action on the boards here. To our mind
Paddock was justified in his refusal. for
he Is a wise athlete and always thinks
before he acts
There seems to be at least three rca-
sons why Charley should make this de-
c;sion. First, he knows that every
Splinter in the world Is after his scalp ;
second, he realizes that his ability to
sprint lies particularly on the cinder
path and not on the board floor; third.
he has done little II no training at all
lately.
Last summer Paddock made tho as
sertion that after the national champion
ships he would never sprint again. The
funny part about II is that every athlete
that has big reputation makes the
some statement every year. But so far
Charley has stuck to his resolution de-
spite rumors which have occasionally
come out of the West TO the effect that
he would try 10 break this or that
record. There isn't much doubt In our
mind that Paddock will sprint again. but
never as in the past.
should Retire When Good.
He has earned the reputation of being
Tie fastest man who ever pulled on a
si.oe; his name is on tho lips of every
body who knows anything about ath-
letics. and naturally he wants to keep
1t there. There never was any one so
tickle as sport fan. Loudly will nc
acclaim the man who Is on top and
loudly will he berate the man who "a
down. Every athlete knows this and
rallies that his popularity cannot last.
but that he must eventually give way to
some newcomer. There is only one way
TO beat the game and that is to quit on
top.
Then memory keeps the athletes name
bright. Paddock knows this and he
knows too that whenever a new flash
appears the public will want race
between them. There must come a time
when Paddock will lose IL he keeps CIV
ing everybody crack at him. Then
he will be forgotten and the newcomer
will be crowned king OF the sprinters
Maybe this won't happen ut the first
loss OF race but II II keeps on II Is
surety. On tho other hand, X Charley
gradually retlres every time new man
appears the public will accept him as
their favorite, but they will always feel
that Paddock could easily beat him and
tho old timers Will bark back to the days
when he i,ace so many worlds records
as proof.
We all know that two years ago at the
Millrose games Charley was beaten by
Jackson Scholz in the sprints. He never
has been the sprinter on the boards
that he is on the dirt. And he is doing
the wise thing by keeping away from
them. Then, too, the majority of the
sprint races I'm the indoor meets arc
urder a hundred yards and It is In dis
tances OF hundred yards and over
that he IL at his best.
The indoor game is an entirely diff
ferent thing from the outdoor. The best
ou. loor athletes are not necessarily the
best on the boards. The ability TO per-
form I'm spikes and In soft soles is, with
tho majority Of athletes. as far apart
as the poles. BY that we do not mean
that the athlete cannot become profit
cient at both, for he most surely can.
However, 1t takes time and an endless
amount OF work 10 get used to the hard
board floor which, as a rule. Is slippery
and without spring
No BOARD Meet on Coast.
cailfornians. in particular, have little
opportunity to become experts on any
thing but the cinder track for the sim
pio reason that Californian climate does
not necessitate indoor activities. but on
tho other hand permits OF outdoor ath-
letics the year around.
n is unfair TO accuse Paddock OF be-
ing afraid 70 meet other sprnters. for
he has time and again proven TO every
ones satisfaction that he can meet all
Corners and beat them And n Charley