New Britain herald., 1926-03-23
LEY HILLN E\ANSl

bllllit Y ll'r -NltLi | IT n Nllt 1925 world series between Washing ton and Pittsburgh, Joe Harris was the outstanding batting star.
 Inserted into the lineup at the last minute in place of Earl Me Nicely, iu order to get more batting power. Harris, with his terrific as well as timely hitting, was the hero of the event. even though Washing ton suffered defeat.
 The peculiar stance Of Harris at the plate was much commcntpd on during the series. He swung from a rather at-footcd position and there was a decided crouch to the body
 It didn't seem possible that batsman with such an unOrthodoX style could get the power into his drives that Harris did. There is an interesting story back of the crouch Harris assumes at the bat and it dates back to the world war.
 In the Argonnc campaign Harris suffered q serious injury that re- suited in the left side ol his face being so badly torn that for d time his life was dcSpaired of and, when he finally was able to leave the hos pital, he bore many scars of the battle.
 Unable to get the proper medical attention at the time, the wound, on healing, left a vivid scar which pulled down the upper cyclid of his left optic and caused the skin to be tightly drawn over the check , bone.
 Due to the fact that the left eye was drawR slightly out of alignment, it nccessitated that Harris take an unusual stance at the plate to right 1 the defect.
 Recently Harris underwent q 1 plastic surgery operation that has practically restored the check 10 normal
 My left and right checks arc again twins" is the way Harris let's you know that the operation has been success.
 The eye has been strengthened, the skin that protrudcd over the eye { has been removed and the drawing down" of the scar itself has been eliminated.
 Curiously, too, the pulling power of the wound had it's effect in other ways, causing stiffness and great pain in the shoulder and arms. That has also been removed as a result of the operation.
 American league pitchers will be glad to learn that the operation has been q success as far as looks are concerned, but all of them are trusting it will make no. improve mrnt in his batting.
 While the operation has restored the face to normal, there is d gamble as 10 how it will affect hic batting,
 Will it be necessary for him tc change from the crouch stance If so, will his batting suffer?
 Tampa, Fla, March If ,ha
 fellow had been right wr woun never have lost the 1925 worll series. On his condition depend. much of our pcnnant chances ioI this year."
 President Clark Griffith of tn, Washington club Was doing th, talking as lie pointed his finger ii the direction of Fred Marbcrry.
 How soft it would have been fo
 him 10 have stopped the Pirates il
 the last few innings of inc 1ina
 game at Pittsburgh.
 "It is impossible 10 CompUt" how | valuable q fellow is who can pinch
 pitch like that guy" Having umpired many of the rc
 markahle pitching foats that Mar
 bcrry has turned in as a relic hurlcr, l could appreciate ih , opinion Of the Washington owner. Realizing what Marbrrry mean , to the Senators, watched hin } closely for about 1o minutes as h. warmed up to pitch a few inning f against the Boston Braves. H. seemed to be pitching natural an,
 showed me d good fast ball. Bu
 his 1926 debut was far iron l suspicious.
 At the close of last season his fas D ball would have scarcely broken
 pane of glass, ytt as he warmed LII , he looked like the Marherry of old , Sent 10 the pitching mound t f work for a few innings agains . Boston. he at once changed his styl of ease to a rather crampcd delivery . His fast ball was just ordinary. H.