The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-06-07
METZLER IS
MAN OF HOUR
FOR THE S0X
Rookie Turned Loose BY Con-
ME Mack Fills Johnny
MOstil's Job Well
Try BILLY EVANS)

From Main street in Wichita Falls,
Tex, to State street in Chicago is
quite leap as baseball goes, but
Alex Metzler appears to have ncgo-
tiatcd it successfully.
Which is just another way of say
ing that the Lone Star rookie from
Wichita Falls has made good as a
member of the Chicago White SOx of
the American League.
Not only is Metzler one of the few
recruits of this year to deliver but,
in so doing, he is filling one of the
most difficult roles in baseball, TAX
ing the place of Johnny Mostil, gen
orally regarded as the greatest out
fielder in baseball.
Connie Mack Found Him
AS has been the case with many Of
the present day stars, Metzler was
uncarthed by Connie Mack. A bat
ting average well over the 800 mark
in the fast-going Texas League
caused Mack scouts to recommend
his immediate purchase.
Joining the Athletics late last fall,
Metzlcr managed to break into 20
games as pinch hitter or regular.
While showing promise, his batting
average OF PAP was quite disappoint-
ing, since an ability to hit was one
of The things the scouts stressed in
boosting Metzler.
Failure to win the pennant last
season caused Connie Mack to change
| his plans for this year considerably
During the winter he made several
deals which brought to the Athletics
those two veteran stars, Ty Cobb and
Zach Wheat. Mack also had the
brilliant Simmons, the hard-hittinp
Bill Lamar and Walter French, the
speed merchant, making five regular
outfielders.
| When Metzler reported to tho
Athletics this spring it was appar
ent there was little or no chance fol
him to break into the lineup. NJ
first-ycar rookie could be expected
to pit his ability against such al
array of outstanding stars. 1t looked
like a year on the bench, or possibl!
u trip back to the minors for Metz
Ter for further seasoning.
Gets His Chance
Then came the Mostil TRACED.
which provided the break for Metz
Ter, giving him his big opportunity
a real chance to stick in the majors
| Hard pressed for outfielders, due
Mostil's detection, Manager Ra
Schalk Of the Chicago White So
made a hurried canvass of the prob
) able surplus talent on the differen
0 American League clubs. 1t didn
l seem probable that Metzler would b
/; carried by Mack and immediate ncgC
tiations were entered into for hi
services. The White Sox finally $.
cured him shortly after the openin
Of the season.
As 4 matter of fact, a serious il
jury to Ike Boone, slated to play or
of the outfield positions, hclpe
L Mctzler to stay in the majors.
q A few hours after his arrival
0 Chicago, he was sent into the lincu
taking Mostil's old place in centc
); Bill Barrett going back to his orr,
inals spot in right.
Asking rookie to fill Johnr
Mostil's shoes is making hi
shoulder big responsibility, but /
hasn't curled up under the burde
Although lacking experience. he
doing a mighty good job and h
timely batting has been helpf
factor in keeping the White SOx I
the first division.
Metzler is Il lcft-handed bait,
and takes good cut at the ball. H
speciality is two-base hits. While
wouldn't be rated speed mcrchan
he is fairly fast and appears able
Y cover plenty of ground. Manag
: Ray Schalk is hopeful he will pro
J a fixture. Looks as if he would.