Evening star., 1923-12-16


Burke and Lee Fohl around Sisler.
Browns began to slip.
The Browns might be called club
founded on oil Philip De Catesby
Ball, the owner. IS credited with own
ing more oil wells than Garry Her
mann has sausage trees. If Mr.. Bail
had known how to spread the oil as
we'll as sell il he might have retained
good manager who had helped his
club. He became rough with Fohl.
mis- manager last year. who was max
ing the club do as we'll as it could
do without Sisler. and the result was
that Fohl was discharged. The
Browns grew steadily no better
through the remainder OF the season
and finally wound up In fifth place.
\ year ago. under Fohl. and with
Sisler in the game. they were only
one game out Of first place.
VIII Managing Hurt Him.
So Sisler becomes a team leader.
Latest reports are that his eve troH-
BILE has disappeared and tha- he viii
ne able TO play first base next year
ard lead his men on the field The
hig question to be answered Is wheth-
er HIS managing is going to hurt his
work on the field or his work on the
field is going to hurt his managing.
II the managing hurts his work at
first base and al the bat. then the
Browns will be losers. The woods
are full OF managers capable OF d.
recting a team like the Browns, but
there is hitter and first oasernan
of the Sislerian caliber only once
every three generations.
The added duties of manager never
aY L
OF the best OF first basemen and "ne
Of the greatest OF managers. To a
man OF the temperament OF Hal
Chase. who took the leadership of
at the zenith of his form as a fielder,
a binding fash on the defense, a
speedier man than either Sisler or
Chance. il was fatal. He was a
bust" as a manager and the busting
affected his play. 1t has not affected
It never affected Fred Clarke. Charlie
HerZog wasn't as good a player while
he was manager and neither was
Gavvy Cravath. Bill Carrigan was
just as good a catcher after he be-
gan TO lead the Red Sox to their
championships as before. Clyde
Milan was affected by the respon-
sibility.
It seems to be just a question of
tie man. The early days of next
case OF Sisler.
Starts Right In Shocker Case.
According to reports from ST. Louis.
Slsler has shown wisdom In one de-
tSion he has made since he became
manager, He is reported to have de-
Clared that Urban Shocker, the ia
nous pitcher. who asked Judge Lam
dis to declare him a free agent be-
cause the st. Louis club would not
make an exception to the club rule
snd allow him to take his wife to
New York on visit on the occasion
Of the clubs last eastern trip IN Sep
tember last, can expect no privileges
that are not enjoyed by other play
ers.
Granting that Shocker is won
derful pitcher, which he is, Sisler
would be making bad move in the
Hrst act Of his administration if he
allowed the pitcher to win in his
battle with the club. It takes firm
ness OF character to give up a sure
games, which can be reasonably ex-
pected from a man of Shocker's abil-
ity, to follow out a principle. II
Shocker is unsuccessful in his appeal
10 Landis-which seems probable. for
his dispute seems to be absolutely a
club matter-there will be dissat
isfied player in the ranks. and the
best way is to get rid OF him. Sisler
says he will not stand in his way"
which means that Shocker is very
liable to be traded during the next
thirty days. If the club can get a
pitcher anywhere near as good and
Il utility man for him the Browns will
be the gamers.
With a crack catcher who shows
no sign of slowing up in SEVERED
and possibly Ezzell. the youngster
who came fast through the closing
days of last season. and with Will
liams. Jacobson and Tobin in the out
Held, the Browns haven't a bad out
look if they can scare up some pitch
Of the new manager: pitchers,
pitchers. and then more pitchers"
Tho records of Davis, Van Glider,
Kolp, Pruett and Bayne were not at
and Danforth did well. Losing Shock
er, some one must be found to take
his place, and an effort TO replace
two or more of the five others should
begin at once. Some Of the Ball oil
we'll money should be poured into
which has a fighting chance in 1924
IL the business of being manager is
not too much for G. II. Sisler
Started With Big Battle.
Sisler was born in Manchester. Ohio.
ty-one next spring. but II he recov-
ers the use of his eyes there seems
no reason why he should not be able
TO go on for years-as long as Ty
Cobb, iris Speaker. Eddie Collins and
other stars of the present day. and
AS long as Honus Wagner. the great
est of stars Of an earlier era. Wagner
played like a whirlwind till he was
past forty. Sisler takes fine care OF
himself. doesn't dissipate and isn't of
the build that takes on weight-that
bane Of the ball player.
The young Sisler began as a left
handed pitcher. He attracted atten-
tom at the Akron High School, and
played the outheld and pitched a few
games In 1911 for the Akron league
club. The next year he went to Co.
lumbus of the American Associa ton
and on August 90 was sold to the
Pittsburgh Pirates.
sisler did not want to go to Pitts
burgh and play professional ball just
then. He wanted to go to college.
He went to the University Of Mich
igan in 1912 and played on the college
team, mostly as pitcher. for four
wears. He refused to report to Pitts
burgh. and in 1914 was placed on the
ineligible list OF that National League
club. When he was in hts last year
at Michigan he signed contract
with the st. Louis Browns. and ;a-
mn AAte telN n