Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-15

While Fielder Jones was an aWk-
ward fielder, an awkward batter and
an awkward hase-runner. he was still
good in all three departments lie
was a great outfielder. When he man
aged the Chicago White Sox he
played center field and no center
fielder has ever ranged more widely.
His left fielder was Pat Dougherty
and his right fielder was Eddie Hahn.
He used to have them play within 30
feet Of the foul line while he ranged
the territory between them. Being an
expert Judge of batsmen, Jones could
d" this, for he knew where TO play for
every batter.
Nemesis to Crawford.
He was a Nemesis of Crawford.
Sam used to hit long flies to right
center and Jones would set himself
in right center. Often he did not
have to move five feet to catch the
ball. Crawford could never hit against
Chicago because of Jones.
They used TO call Jones the Chicago
Outfield." The saving was, Chicago
has one outtielder and two foul
catchers." About all Dougherty and
Hahn did was To catch foul flies. Jones
caught nearly all the flies hit between
the foul lines.
Chicago has had several fine out
Best. He had only natural talent. An
unusual throwing arm. hitting ability
and speed made up Jackson. He was
stupid in fielding and in running bases,
llIt he could hit and throw.
Hap FeIsCh. who played center field
for the White Sox, also was never
famous for intelligence, but he was
one of the best ffelders base ball has
known. Felsch played center field as
Coll l.tn linz limo
with second base and the home plate.
That Is where center fielders stood in
the early days of the game. Felsch
never played position, never left his
given spot. but still he was a great
fielder. I have never seen a man who
was a better getter of fly balls than
IFeIsch. lie had a quick start, getting
off with the crack of the bat and he
had speed. He was such q quick starter
and fast runner that he managed to
got more balls than most of the men
who PLAYED batterS and shifted on
u.Gched balls. FclSch WIS always a
strong hitter and dangerous in any
situation.
Speaker Is UnequaIed.
iris Speaker was 4 great center
fielder He never had an equal in
..oiny back on a fly ball. No man
ever ran with the ball and took it
over his shoulder so we'll as Speaker.
He had a great arm. and threw with
astonishing accuracy from any part
Of The field He had perfect iudg
ment of ground balls and he Judged
= batter accurately. His position play
was at times uncanuE. y hi" ma n.
like several of the great "u'ticlders.
Sredker was still fast. Inteliigent and
always A good hitter and h'ar- rur"er.
Speaker made the most Of his many
and varied base ball talents.
Babe Ruth started as pitcher. Ia d
he continued pitching he probably
would have ranked as the best left
handler in the game. an honor that
Ruhe Waddell deserves, in my opin-
ion The fact that Ruth has led the
world in home runs has caused many
people to overlook his talents as A
fielder. hut if Ruth batted only ordi-
manly he would still be an outstan nd
ing plaver because of his fielding abil-
itv lie is smart and he always makes
tie right play. He knows base ball
from all angles. He has q fine throw
i,:s arm. judges batters. plays the
r. III position for them and is as good
80 Getting flies as any man in the
ouItields during his time. His fielding
weakness is ON ground balls.
Begins as Pitcher.
tharIe Jameson also started out
=. a pitcher. He pitched for the Buff
f 10 Internationals. After being shift
ed around he landed in Cleveland and
was used in the outfeld. Playing
alongside of Speaker he became the
best left fielder in his league, a fine
Judge of fly balls, a good thrower. a
fine lead-off man, good hitter and
last on the bases.
Ross Youngs, like Willie Keller,
wls third baseman before he reach
al the outfield. When the Giants got
y m it was as n. third sacker. He
Hras sent to Rochester for more ex-
J, fence, and when New York recalled
Inn. Manager McGraw decided that
NrunEs would never do much at third
L:tt might in the outfeld. So he tried
him there, and YounCS made good.
IT" became the most sensational and
finished right fielder of his time. He
Is aggressive. a constant fryer and he
yloves to win.
Whitley Witt was a shortstop on the
Philadelphia Athletics team. Connie