The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-06-18
M'CURDY NOW
RANKS HIGH
AS KEY MAN
Finally Achieves First Sack
Position With Chicago
American Nine
(BY BILLY EvANS)

After years or plugging, many OF
them chock full of adversely, Harry
McCurdy is finally the first-string
catcher of the Chicago Americans.
McCurdy takes the place vacated
by Manager Ray Schalk who, since
1912, has done the backstopping al
most exclusively for the White Sox.
The fact that for II consecutive
years Schalk caught 100 or more
part the other Chicago catchers
played in the success Of the team.
Not Like Schalk
Harry McCurdy is built along diff
ferent lines than the short, squat
veteran, Schalk. McCurdy, who
learned baseball and football among
other things at the University of
Illinois, is big, husky fellow, who
value in blocking them at the plate
or making a diving touch of q run
ner.
Like many other collegians who
have found their way into the ma
jors, McCurdy is a protege of Branch
Hickey, who as big league man.
ager, in both the American and Ma
tional, specialized in the intellectual
athletes. 1t was Hickey who brought
out George Sisler, as we'll as num-
Der Of other "Rah- Rah" boys who
have made good in the majors.
McCurdy's rise to face in the big
show came only after a long strug
gle, in which less determined chap
might have argued that it wasn't
worth while. III
Hickey dug McCurdy up while he
was doing his stuff ut Illinois and
brought him direct to the majors.
He lacked polish, his fielding was
bit ragged, but he early showed
power at the bat. He hits 'em from
the left side Of the plate.
Not So Good At First
Dcspairing for time of his abil-
ity to make good as a catcher, Hickey
experimental with him at first
base. In his early tryouts he gave
no signs of rivaling Hal Chase or
George Sisler.
Next came the conclusion that the
thing McCurdy needed most was ex-
perience in the minors, that he was
still a couple of years away from
the major league standard. Trips
to the Syracuse and Houston clubs,
controlled by the St. Louis Cardi-
nails. followed. McCurdv showed
gradual improvement and always
doomed as menace at the plate, re-
CARELESS of the league in which he
was playing.
For some reason, probably finan-
cial, st. Louis decided to lose title
to McCurdy when the Chicago club
offered Houston $4,000 for him.
Thereby hangs rather interesting
tale, that for time also. involved
the New York Yankees relatives to
which club McCurdy really belonged.
1t seems the Chicao club asked for
waivers on McCurdy and the New
York Yankees claimed him. A con-
siderable amount Of the original sale
price remained to be paid on Nc
Curdy when New York claimed him.
This sum the New York club, accord
ing to baseball law, must assume
when claiming such player.
While the Yankees were willing to
take McCurdy at the waiver price,
| they demurred on paying the extra
consideration. The contention was
upheld. 1t would have been wise
move if they. had gone through with
the transaction. instead Of getting
ready to arrive.
Having invested about half the
amount, Chicago, with McCurdy back
on its hands, decided to complete the
deal and gamble on his making good.
Comes Through
Given his first trial last, fall, Nc
Curdy came through with a ven
geance and in the city series with
the Chicago Cubs performed yeoman
service in bringing about an Amer
lean League victory. II q
This spring Schalk realized nv
would have plenty to do managing
the Sox and so concentrated on Nc
| Curdy, worked with him to polish
|aoff few remaining rough spots and
has been rewarded by having Nc
Curdy show enough stuff; to draw
the first-string assignment.
In A. games last season skes batted
! 1926, and he has continued his time.
ly hitting this year. He hits left
handed and has fine throwing arm
His ultimate success is the reward
for his perseverance when the breaks
| seemed to be all against him g.