Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-26
Bill Makne with Bucky Harris and His Sugge
CRIzzLED VETS
have SHARE BERTHS
IN BIG LEAGUES

New York. March 25-(By the AS
ISOLATED Press)-The drives Of IS
teams for baseball supremacy in the
major leagues this year will summon
an array Of more than 100 veteran
players. seasoned stars Of decades
diamond campaigning, to bear the
brunt Of the conflict.
Despite the popular conception of
Americas national pastime as ever
beckoning to the athlete of the early
twenties, rosters oft he clubs, indicate
a growing tendency Of managers to
pin their faith largely on men be-
tween the ages Of 80 and 40. This
year the veterans will respond in in
creasing numbers to the call OF base
hit warfare, with no less than 70
players of 25 or more years among
outstanding dependables.
Tentative player lists for the sea
son reveal that the major leagues will
rely upon more players OF 80 years
and over than those Of rs years and
under. The youthful division claims
LOG prospective starters, many OF
whom are likely to fall by the way
side in the march from south training
camps. No less than 124 men who
have seen 80 summers come and go,
however. are prepared for the arena,
including most of the games greatest
players. Outstanding exceptions to
the rule Of age are found In the two
Boston clubs which will have the
youngest teams in their respective
races. The Braves with an early
start in the south which has been as
impressive as their sensational nm
ish last fall. will have a. club whose
average age is rs years and nine
months, while the Red Sox average
approximately 26 years.
In sharp contrast will be the Wash
ington Senators. twice winners OF the
American League flag, with a team
averaging 80 years and six months.
Ten of their players have reached the
veteran class, with Walter Johnson,
pitching ace Of the club, now in his
fortieth year. Hank SEVERED, Roger
Peckinpaugh and Sam Rice are next
in line, all at the 35 year mark, while
Joe Bush, Johnny Tobin, Dutch Ru-
ether, Stanley Covelskie, Joe Judge
and joe Harris are between 80 and
IS.
Three teams in the thick Of the
National League pennant fight of
1925, all rated by critics as leading
contenders, will depend largely on
players over 80.
Despite an inclination to refer to
the champion Pirates as youthful
team, their roster reveals II players
who already have passed their S0th
birthdays or will reach that mark
during the coming race. The Giants
go even higher with 10 men in the
same class, while the Cincinnati Reds.
third in 1925. will have an even dozen.
On the roster Of the Pirates Is the
grand old pitching veteran, Babe
Adams, now 43. Six other Pirate
hurlers are int he zone between 80
and 35-Vic Aldridge, Ray kremer,
Lee Meadows, Red Oldham, Tom
Sheehan. and Johnny Morrison. Max
Carey, captain of the club, is 36, while
Carson Bigbe, Clyde Barnhart, Stuffy
McInnis and Johnny Rawlings also
are in the veteran division.
Grover Hartley tops the Giants
playing field at SO years, two more
than carried by the little third sacker.
Heinie Groh.
Others between 80 and IS are
George Kelly, Irish Meusel, Hugh Nc
Ouillan, Art Nehf, Jack Scott, Bill
Southworth Ross Young and Frank
Snyder.
Heading the veteran Cincinnati
warriors is the Cuban pitching star,
Adolfo Luque. now nearly sc. Eppa
Rixey, another slab veteran, soon Will
be 80. Carl Mays, Bubbles Hargrave,
Val Picinich, Sammy Bohne. Frank
Emmer, Babe Pinelli. Wally Pipp,
Rube Bressler, Eddie Roush and Cur
It's Walker are either over 80 or will
pass the mark this season.
1t remains for the Brooklyn Dodg-
ers. however, to top both leagues in
veteran material, for President Man
ager Robinson will call upon 10 ath-
letes between 80 and 40 years. Zach
Wheat, perennial clouting star of the
team, is now 3S. Jacques Fournier.
Dazzy Vance. Milton Stock and Bur-
leigh Grimes have reached 33. two
years short of Rabbit Maranville's
age. Also in the 80 to 35 years zone
are Jess Barnes. Jess Petty, Tiny o.
borne and Bill Marriott.