New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-05-27

Bob Fothergill, pudgy outfelder
of the Detroit Tigers. away to a
good start at the bat, cherishes de-
signs on the American league swat
crown.
If Fothergill should realize his
ambition and top the American
league batters, it would give the
Detroit club an outneld combination
without compare in the majors.
Harry Heilmann has thrice won
the batting honors. Last year
Heinie Manush won great fame by
topping the Johnsonian swatters.
Should Fothergill come through it
would give the Tigers an outfield
trio of batting champions.
Fothergill has had a varied career
with the Detroit Tigers. Despite
the fact that he has consistently
batted 800 in the majors and
minors, not until this season did Bob
definitely win for himself a job as
a regular.
Fleet Of foot, brilliant fielder,
despite the 200 pounds he carries
and a 800 batter. he was not used
regularly by Ty Cobb for various
reasons. This season, the job of
playing left field has been definitely
assigned to him without any re-
servations and he is more than
making good.
Coming to Detroit after one year
in the minors. with Bloomington in
the Three-Eye league, Fothergill
was sent to Rochester in the Inter-
national for development. Playing
under irrepressible George Stallings
Bob came fast and after swattine
the pill for the gorgeous average OF
1888 in 1922. he was pronounced
ready for the majors.
The following season he was used
in 1o1 games by Detroit. and batted
.915. During 1924 he played only
81 games and in 1925, less than halt
the season, II contests.
Last year. due to the fact tina,
Manager Cobb was able to play onl,
about half time. Fothergill got hi.
Dig opportunity to make good ant
he more than delivered.
For a goodly part of last year h.
led the American league in batting
late season slump killing hi,
chances to win the championship
AT that he finished a tie for thjre
with his teammate, Harry Heilmann
only 10 points away from Heini.
Manush, who win the championship
Prone to put on weight in tn,
winter. Fothergill is always the lif,
OF the party during the sprin.
training trips. He in CONSTANT,
kidded by the rest Of the athlete
for the many hours Of extra wor]
he is forced to put in in order I,
remove the surplus.
on boys do all your laughin,
now, III do mine after the seasol
! starts was Bob's set reply at Sal
Antonio this spring.
Fifty times for YOU around III
ball park Fothergill and then yo
| can call 1t day"
Starting where he left off last fall
Fothergill's hitting has been one o
the early season sensations of ma 10
| league play. In the west versus Yves
series between the American leasu
clubs, he batted 300.
! IF 7 can Just lead the league tn,
year, I will have plenty to say t
Heilmann and Manush about tn
art of batting next spring" is tn
way Fothergill puts it.
Right now he is hot favorite 4
come through.
| Fothergill. right handed bate,
| has a rather peculiar crouch styl
at the plate and Ike most great hit
tiers has a tendency to look bad o,
a certain style pitched ball. only +
come back and hit the next bal
| pitched the same way. OUT of tn
ball park. While he takes a goo,
swing at the ball, it is not neari
80 healthy ont rs that Of Bah
Ruth, there being more of a wris