The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-01-14


Before boarding the RATHER to
California President William l..
Veeck expressed confidence in the
ability of two new additions to the
corps to deliver up to specifications
next season. The Cub executive is
particularly enthusiastic over the
chances of Elmer Jacobs, a giant
right handler, who Is coming from
Seattle to file another bid for major
league fame.
Jake" has seen considerable
service on the firing line, having
been employed by Pittsburgh and
the Philadelphia and st. Louis Ma
tionals prior to drawing passage to
the Pacific Coast League. Toiling
for Seattle last year he won twenty.
four games, while losing nine, and
his club finished in fourth place.
GIimpsing the vital statistics
pertaining to Jacobs one gathers
the impression that he is one of
those pitchers who is capable Of
winning the tough battles. Nine
Of his twenty-fOur triumphS were
registered by the slender margin
of one run, and in none of these
did tn" enemy score more than
six markers, while the majority
Of the counts were one or two
tallieS.
Any moundsman who can compile
such a record as that should fit
into Killefers curving corps and
prove of vast assistance. In 800
innings last season Jacobs sur
rendered 80 hits, 100 runs and 90
bases on balls, while tanning lab
batsmen.
From the same coast league club
will come J. Fred Blake. another
strapping right handler, twenty-four
years old, six feet one inch tall and
weighing $50 pounds. Advance data
on Blake indicate that he is pos.
sessed of everything but control,
and it will be up to the Bruin
strategists to help him acquire this
most necessary quality.
Blake formerly was the property
OF the Pittsburgh club and after a
brief trial he was shunted along to
Rochester, only to be recalled and
given transportation to Seattle.
According to Cub scouts, J. Fred
is possessed Of a variegated delivery
including a fast ball, side arm ball,
knuckle ball, curve and submarine
The robust young mountaineer who
halls from Glen White, w. Va,
operated in forty-five games for
Seattle last year. his record show.
ing eighteen complete combats with
twelve others in the role of finisher
OF this number be suspended
IL victories while being charged
with 20 defeats. He performed in
q total of 300 innings and was
tOlted for 300 hits and LIS runs.
while tanning 118 batters he also
issued ITO passes, emitted IA wild
pitches and plinked 3 hitters.
During his long and honorable
career in the majors, ,Killefer, noted
for his skill in handling young
likewise erratic hurlers, has steadied
more than one wild bloke and
eventually converted him into a
winner. Reindeer Bill' will be
assisted by Grover Alexander and
Bob O'Farrell when the work Of
subtracting the wildness in Blake's
makeup is undertaken.
When Vic Keen first cast his lot
with the Bruins he was possessed
Of everything essential to major
league success but he soon waxed
wild. Killefer and O'Farrell worked
with him and later the Philadel.
phian was sent to Wichita
Falls When he returned to the
Bruins he was almost as steady
as Aleck. Blake now is working out
at his home in the mountains
throwing baseballs in a big hall
and daily striving to erase his lack
of control.