The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-08-02

Listen to Shawley-- After that
fellow got out Of the hospital in
Cleveland and was shipped back to
New York, he appeared one day on
crutches In the clubhouse. We were
all glad to see him, Of course, but
we thought he was taking lot Of
chances in hobbling around there.
He wasn't there just to see us,
though. The first thing he did was
to pick out spot in the corner,
dig out his bat and get busy with
a rag and oil. That bird actually
had made that trip to the stadium
Just to oil his bats. I'll bet no
young mother ever took more loving
care OF her first baby than he did
OF his war clubs. There he was,
rubbing, shining and testing the
nelt OF them. Watch him, you'd
think he was in love with them,
and come to think Of 1t, / guess he
The other players agreed that
Il was taking such pains in lit
tie things, plus natural ability
and . winning disposition, that
made Ty Cobb 2 wonderful bali
player and they believe that COM
bination win do as much for
Combs.
Combs, like Cobb, viii never be
good loser. In fact, some of the
players insist there can be no such
thing as a good loser in baseball
or any other sport. OF course, by
a good loser they do not mean one
who can step up and congratulate
his conqueror. II that Is the mean.
ing Of good loser--to take a beat.
ing with a smile, and hypocritical
smile at that--nearly all ball players
are good losers.
A ball player who could lose in
differently, gracefully, would not be
WORTH the fare to ship him to the
bushes. A Cobb or q Combs does
not lose gracefully. They can't. II
isn't In them. tThey hate to lose
and make no bones about It. IL
IL because they dislike losing SO
much that they are good players,
ana the spirit that drives them on
Is so great that they will 60 to
any fair lengths to gain their ends
However, the bag Punchersr
also agreed that appearances are
often deceptive and that . player
Of quiet, easy going disposition Is
often as eager and Is trying just
as hard TO win rs his more dash
ing team mate.
Take Bob Meusel. Fans some.
times get the impression that Bob
Is lazy or Is not giving his best
when he is really doing all he can
to grab a ball game. Sitting up in
the stands, the fans are unable to
guage his speed, whereas other ball
players consider Bob one of the
fastest men in the game. When II
appears that he is ambling down
70 first or from first to third, those
long legs of his are eating up the
distance, although 1t may appear
70 the fans that he is loafing along
No. Bob is not Indifferent nor is
ne lazy. But he has not the tenn.
permanent to make him step out to
40 superhuman stunts on a ball
Ileld. II he were of the nervous
Type OF Cobb or a Combs he could
easiiy lead the league In base steal.
ing. You don't believe It? Well,
anyhow, that's the oponion of most
OF the other ball players in the
league.
Some special urge got into Meu.
sci IN the Chicago series and he
stole five bases. He stole them
rather easily. although he had to
beat Schallk's throws, and Schalk
is one OF the best sharp-shooters in
the business. II he had that ambl.
ton with him at all times, Bob
probably would steal at least fifty
bases a season. And that's that.