The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-20

l find myself facing a proposition that is more delicate than difficult l intend to be perfectly frank though and say just what I think. Of course l must base my opinion on players that l have played with or agains, and that 1 have seen personally. In 50 years or more I have come pretty close to seeing them all, I think.
 Always l have been a close ob- server of my rivals. In fact, att tribute what success I may have had to studying the opposition and try ing never to underrate the strength of team as a group and as indi- viduals.
 Though I have no hesitation in making my choices, I fully appreciate the difference of opinion that will arise. even among my own friends and associates. l am inclined to be- lieve, however, that most of the baseball men who have been in the game as long as myself will come pretty near agreeing with me. In several instances I find the strength of players so nearly even that I have tried to make my choice fair by using one as a regular and the other as a substitute on the same team.
 Considers Everything
 l hope those interested will bear in mind that l have taken personality, team spirit and mora.e of the players into consideration along with their official batting and fielding averages There are many truly great players who never stood out boldly in the record books. Naturally, I have dis carded all players who at any time were found guilty of dishonesty. No matter how much mechanical ability man nay have had. the fact that he was dishonest would make him use less to a team.
 Always I have been interested in reading the selections of other base ball men, who speak with certain amount of authority and knoweldge but this is the first time 1 have ever picked an All American team, cover ing the stars of 30 years. I am mind fui of the discussions that will prob ably arise and I wish 1 could hear them,
 This I think would make about the best ball club in the world
 o O O
 The All American Team.
 Catchers-Buck Ewing and Roger Bresnahan.
 Pitchers-Christy Mathewson, John McMahon, John Clarkson, Amos Rusie. Walter Johnson, Addie Joss Rube Waddell.
 First base-George Sisler.
 Second base-Eddie Collins.
 Shortstop-Honus Wagner.
 Third base-Jimmy Collins.
 Substitute nfielder--Napoleon La. jo;e.
 Left field-Hugh Duffy.
 Center field-Ty Cobb.
 Right field-Willie Keeler.
 Substitute outfielder--Joe Kelley.
 In making these selections I have taken into careful consideration smartness. which includes quickness of thought and action. general physi- cal and mental calibre. Also I have made aggressiveness necessary qualification. Very likely there will be surprise at some of the famous men that I have left out Explana- tion of that may come out in succeed ing chapters.
 Explains His Pick.
 will now give my reasons for selecting each member of this great team.
 Buck Ewing for general all around excellence as 8 backstop, never had an equal. He was smart and az gressive. He came as near to being catcher without single weakness as the game has ever known. In fact. Buck Ewing was Ty Cobb behind the bat He had a mental capacity equal to his playing ability. Ewing could handle team perfectly. He was compelled to do that with the old time Giants. because Jim Mutrie., the nominal manager. was more of business man than a team director. Mutrie frequently sat on the players' bench and always wore