The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-05-19

Scott's greatest claim to lame
land this is not said to belittle his
lien on that fleeing commodity
lies, therefore, in the fact that day
in and day out he may be found at
his post, giving his best all the
time. And his best has never failed
to fill the bill.
The Yankee shortstop's astound-
ing record for consecutive games is
an excellent illustration of this
quality. It is now as much a part
Of baseball as the box score itself to
see his name in the Yankee lineup.
Scott began his string OF consecu-
tive appearances in the early part
Of the 1915 season when he was a
member Of the Boston Red Sox.
Since then he has not missed a sin.
gle game in which his club has been
scheduled. He has run his streak
up to the astonishing total Of 1,159
games, exclusive Of thirty world
series contests he has participated
in, and he shows no sign OF weak
ening.
To accomplish this feat, Scott
has, of necessity. been in perfect
condition, or Ia at least good
enough condition to play ball, for
eight years! During that span
he has never been forced to report
IN during the playing season, and
his health during the Off:seasOn
has been just as good. OF
was unable to go through an en-
kSvna rama hut hio vxy3khHPQ UvaVS
were usually caused by local, rath-
or than by organic, troubles.
What is the secret Of SCOTS re-
markable durability in the face of
the wear and tear of eight years
service in the most trying position
on a big league ball club? Surely it
cannot be found in his physical pro
portions. Looking at Scott, one
would hardly exclaim at his outward
strength. He is five feet nine inch
es in height and weighs about 155
pounds. Not q Goliath Of a man,
yet he has seen others far stronger
come and go.
Scott himself attributes the ex-
traordinary vitality which has car
ried him through SO many hard sea-
sons without falling him to nothing
more than careful living and the
kindness Of Lady Luck.
81 guess that the care take of
myself and a good percentage of
luck haze carried me through. Good
condition is only matter Of right
living. Since regular hours play an
important part in good health, ]
have always made a point to keep
: them. Food and other such details
are merely questions Of individual
ity. ] say luck has been in my ia
vor because Of the fact that I have
been spared the injuries which lay
up 1nfielders from time to time"
It will be seen that, although
Scott attrlbuts his remarkable rec
ord to good condition, that factor
Itself does not explain his 1,159
consecutive games. Many other
ballplayers take as good care of
themselves as does the Deacon,
but not with nearly so effective
and sensational results. It seems
that his durability must remain
one Of those unexplained secrets
Of psychology, aided and abetted
by "the breaks"
Scott's ambition at present is to
run his string Of successive appear.
ances up to the grand total Of 1900.
To do this he would have to finish
this season and play we'll into two
more complete American League
schedules before reaching the Gov.
eted goal.
This appears to be quite an as.
signment. But in view of SCOTS
record in the past and his even tenn.
permanent, it is likely that he will
keep going to the century and half
mark, il not further.
The Yankee shortstop is getting
old, but not so old that his PLAYING
days are over. 1t will be recalled
that the wiseacres were counting
his days as far back as two wears
ago, but Scott crossed them and is
still hanging around. He is still
as good as he ever was.
Scott will be thirty.two years old
this November. He was born on
the nineteenth Of that month, 1892,
at Button, Indiana.
He began his big league career
with Kokomo in 1909. Three years
later he was up for a trial with
the Boston Red Sox, but was sent
down to st. Paul for seasoning. He
was recalled by the Red Sox in
1914, when his real major league
career began. He Is thus playine
his eleventh big league season this
year.
In the winter Of 1921, Scott came
to the Yankees from Boston in one
Of the numerous deals between the
two clubs. This swap brought him
along with Joe Bush and San
Jones. to the Rupert forces II
return for Rogers, Peckinpaugh
Rip Collins. Bill Percy and Jacl
Quinn.
So valuable has Scott proved
afield to both the Red Sox and thu
Yankees that he has held on to hi.
berth in both clubs in spite of hi
notorious weakness at bat. HI hal
never made the 800 division in hi
career. His best mark with tn,
stick came in 1919, whe'a he hi
.278. Last season his average we
.246.
y