The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-09-07
Billy Evans Says

1t is doubtful if any other catcher
in the history of major or minor
league ball can boast of the record
that Catcher Ray Schalk Of the Chi
; cago White Sox has achieved. Schalk,
as u member of the White SoX, has
made putout at every base on the
infield. That is most unusual for a
catcher.
USUALLY n catcher confines his
work to the home plate. His putouts
come as the result of strikeouts,
caught fly balls or touching runners
trying to score. Naturally most Of
Schalk's chances have been perform
ed in that manner, yet he has turned
the feat of getting pufout at each
base, which is most unusual for a
catcher. How did Schalk turn the
trick of completing plays at first,
second and third? Well, the best
way is to let Schalk tell the story
himself.
"SEVERAL years ago we were
playing game in Cleveland, Eddie
Murphy was in right field for US.
Jameson of Cleveland was at bat.
Jameson being lefthanded batter
our first baseman was playing rath-
err deep for him. Jameson hit hard
into right field. When the ball shot
into that territory I had an idea
that Jameson, a very fast man,
might try for second on the hit if
it was fumbled, which would call for
him to edge considerable distance
toward second. l started to jog IN
to the direction of first. Jameson
did as l expected and as he rounded
first l dashed at full speed for the
bag. Eddie Murphy handled the ball
fast, made perfect peg to me at
/ first and I tagged out Jameson as
he slid back into the bag"
SINCE that time Schalk has tried
to pull the play half dozen times
with Harry Hooper in right field
for Chicago. Hooper~is wonder
fully accurate thrower. In the judg-
mcnt of the umpires the play just
failed to get the man in each case,
although every decision was a close
one.
"MY putout at third base came
| against the st. Louis club" explains
Schalk. "Hal Chase was playing first
base for Chicago at the time. Chase
was perhaps the greatest throwing
first baseman in the history Of the
game. No play seemed too difficult
Johnny Tobin was on first. The bat
ter laid down bunt which our third
baseman came in and handled, get
| ting the batter at first. realized
that the third baseman would not be
able to get back for play at his
base, if Tobin tried to come over.
When the ball was sbunted dashed
for third. Tobin seeing the base un-
covered, started for third. Chase
took in the situation at glance and
made a perfect throw to the bag. /
managed to catch the ball by diving
for it and in so doing threw myself
directly in front of the runner, who
was called out by the umpire.
"MY putout at second was also
against the Browns. Ray Demmitt
was on first base. On the hit and
run play Joe Gideon hit terrific
drive to left field which Joe Jackson
grabbed by leaping high in the all
as the ball seemed certain to clear
the bleacher wire for home run
No one in the park thought Jackson
would get the ball. Demmitt was
almost to third when the catch was
made. had run out into the in.
i field when the ball was hit. The
moment Jackson caught the ball, he
threw it to Shortstop Risberg wht
went out to take the relay. In thu
meantime I ran down to second, tool
Risberg's throw and touched Dem
mitt, dashing for second on his wa!
back to first.
| INCIDENTALLY Eddie Collins
chased me to the bench for invading
his territory. OF course I have ha,
hundreds of plays at the home plate
However, l doubt if any other catch
er has made one or more putouts a
1 avorv hoco m tho fnf;a1dO