The Washington times., 1923-08-17


All first rate ball clubs had two
good catchers, a first string man
and a second string man. but Ray
Schalk has been the White Sox
catching staff for eleven seasons.
BY working in more than 100 games
for ten consecutive seasons he
has established record that prob
ably will stand for great many
generations Of ball players.
Back in 1911 Taylorville was in
the Illinois and Missouri League,
and Schalk did the catching for that
nine. He appeared in only forty.
seven games when q Milwaukee
scout heard about him and he was
sold for 500. a sum which lghtened
the financial burdens of the old
home nine to a slight degree.
echalk caught thirty-one games for
the Brewers that season.
81 wasn't always a catcher" he
remarked concerning his debut with
Milwaukee. mo, sir. was an out.
fielder"
For how Iong?'' he was asked.
=
Until they got me out Of there
before was hit on the head.
You see, when 1 went to Mil
ager. He didn't ask me anything
and I was too scared to say much.
I guess he just sized me up and
thought because of my lack Of
size / had to be an OutfieIder.
Anyhow, he worked me there a
couple Of days and then got
mp nerve enough to tell him
was catcher.
Say, you ought to hear them
laugh. The club had Doc Marshall
and a few other giants about twice
rs big as was. But got in there
finally
1t did not take the Milwaukee
management long to ascertain that
Gchalk was q workman. He caught
eighty games there in 1912, when
old Pop" Gleason was sent to
look him over. Right away a pur-
chase was effected and Schalk
caught twenty-three games for the
Gox before the 1912 season ended.
Thus he worked in 100 games or
more for ten years. and it is
1ust as difficult to catch in the asso-
citation as 1t is in the big leagues.
When the Chicago Milwaukee
deal was arranged. the record books
set down that he was sold For
cash and four players, value re-
ported $4,000" This gives an
Indication Of how minor leaguers on
the hoof have advanced in price in
one decade
At the time Of the. Schalk sale
fellow magnates marvelIed at the
loose manner I'm which C. A.
Comiskey rent asunder his purse
strings and the peSsimists pro-
claimed baseball was going to
the devil on four wheels through
the greed of the minor leaguers
demanding excessive prices for
their incipient talent. That will
make interesting reading for the
gentlemen who sold Willie kamIn.
Gleason dragged Schalk to Chi
cago and into the presence Of the
Eox owner, in those days having
personal charge of all his own
baseball affairs. "Commy," a giant
himself. cast a critical eye at the
puny youngster, reported to be a
coming catcher. He was not much
impressed. Pop" was, and entered
anto a recital Of the virtues and
attainments of the callow youth.
The owner listened patiently, but
finally broke in with, But, Will,
can he catch Ed Walsh?"
He can ketch anybody that ever
lived, sitting in a rocking chair"
Gleason responded. and subsequent
events proved that he was we'll
within the facts.
Schalk is beginning to show the
wear and tear of continued catch
ing. His arm is a wee mite less
accurate and his legs are stiffened
from constant crouching behind the
plate. Foul tips that used to be
avoided collide with his fingers
more frequently.
A little man physically, he has
done twice as much catching as
any other backstop working since
the days when the catcher used
TO remain in front Of the stands
until the third strike.
He can't catch forever But
when he goes. where will they find
another like him?
nAcEDARG FNn AANRFI