Evening star., 1923-12-18
CUES Adopting Neu Policy Dundee No1v Sports 7uo Boxing Titles

l have hit these lively balls. No
doubt there is a difference, but,
honestly, | don't believe there is
as much difference as some try
to make out. Just as Donovan
said, the batter has got to hit the
ball on the nose, no matter if
it is lively or dead. An india
rubber ball wouldn't help a fellow
who couldn't hit it.
This looks to me to be. good
spot to answer one of the ques-
tions that several fans have asked.
What was the greatest hit you
ever saw?" is the question.
| imagine that those who asked
that question wanted to know the
most remarkable hit-not neces-
sarily the longest or hardest I'll
talk about those later.
The most remarkable hit | ever
saw was made by Jack Killackey,
first baseman on that old Pater-
son team. 1t was home run,
too.
The opposing pitcher laid one
in the groove for Jack, and with
all his might KilIackey hit it
straight back at him like bull
let. The ball struck the pitcher
in the forehead. AS he fell the
ball bounced off his head and
landed in a box back of the first
base foul line for a home run.
There was big row and every
body tried to argue, but there
was no way out of it. That was
a clean home run and the UNI
pire allowed it.
Shortest Career on Record.
made a hit once that / always
will remember, though it wasn't
a freak.
The St. Louis club was playing
the Pirates at Pittsburgh. Miller
Huggins was the St. Louis man
. ager. A fresh young pitcher had
Joined them and was rarin' to go.
Tie was quite wise boy, accord
ing to his own way of thinking
full OF ideas and conversation.
For several days he had been tell
ing theo ther St. Louis players
how he could make the so-calIed
good hittcrs sidestep He was
eager for a chance to show us all
up.
How'll you pitch against Wag-
ner:" Higgins asked him.
There's only one way to do it,"
he said. Il don't see why others
haven't thought of it. Why, I'll
pitch three fast balls right at his
head and drive that Dutchman
from the plate. If he doesn't get
away he'll get his head knocked
off. Then I'll curve the next three
over and strike him OUT
Now that sounded simple
enough, didn't it:
While he was doing this talk
ing on the bench two of the St.
Louis pitchers were being ham
Inered out OF the box.
"All right. here's your chance"
Higgins told the fresh young
ster. Get in there and show us
some OF that pitching. Make
sauerkraut oueof that big Dutch
man"
Several of the St. Louis play
erS waved to me in mock fear,
but | didn't know the Joke.
We had the bases full when the
youngSter started and | was up.
He really did pitch at my head,
but I backed off a little as |
swung and happened to hit the
ball squareiy on the nose, knock
ing it over the wall for a home
run.
"That'll be all" Higgins yelled
to him. The scheme. don't work"
In few days Higgins released
him. That boy. who was going
to knock our heads off had the
unique record of having stayed
in the big league just long enough
to pitch one ball. And he never
came back.
I've often wanted to know how
his work appeared in the official
records. The papers didn't print
it. To tell the truth, though, |
felt sorry for that kid. l like to
see them come In fresh and full
of pep and vinegar.
Tomorrow: The Secret of My
Batting.