New Britain herald., 1927-09-01

Can Heinie Soluble of the s..
Louis Cardinals duplicate the feat
performed by Joe Sewell back in
1920?
To wise you up to the situation,
Ncinie Soluble is the rookie short
stop of the Cardinals. while Joe
Sewrll of the Cleveland Indians is
the star of the American league at
that position.
The conditions surrounding their
major league debut are somewhat
similar. The tragic death of Ray
Chapman gave Joe Scwcll his big
chance. a serious injury to Tommy
Thovcnow was responsible for
Soluble getting il chance TO make
good in the majors.
AT the clos, of the 1912 season
Ray Chapman. then the crack short
stop of the Cleveland Indians. had
bah for better business opportuni-
ties in other directions Iris
Speaker. then manager Of the Cleve-
land club. believing his team had n
great chance for the pennant. per
suadcd Chapman TO remain in the
game another year.
Iris Speaker had the right dope
on the chances of his club to win
but, unfortunately, it cost the life OF
Ray Chapman. Near the close OF
the season, in an important game
between New York and Cleveland,
Pitcher Carl Mays of the Yankees
hit Chapman in the head with u
pitched ball. 1t knocked him I'M
conscious He later died as Il re-
suit OF the blow.
1t was early In September and
Cleveland was making last ditch
stand for the pennant. The club
must have a shortstop at once if it
was to remain in the race. The
officials began to look for such a
player for immediate delivery.
With the New Orleans club was n
youngster by the name of Joe Sewell.
\ star player at the University of
Alabama, he had jumped into the
Southern league with no professional
experience and starred with the
New Orleans club.
For years Cleveland has had a
working agreement with New Or
leans. That team had several of its
players on option. A deal was made
whereby Sewcll was turned over to
the Cleveland club at once for the
release of all optional players and
reported cash transaction of $4,000.
It was a trying situation for a
youngSter in his first year Of profess
sional bail to ask him to fiji the
Chapman with the club fighting for
the pennant. He did a fine Job of it,
batted .329, n matter Of 40 points
better than he had done in the
bushes. and aided Cleveland to win
its first American league champion
ship. He also did his part in the
winning of the world series from
Brooklyn.
Heinie SchVble's position at pres
ent is very similar to that of Joe
Sewcll back in 1920 Can he come
through as Sewcll did? He has
made a great start in that direction.
Last season Shortstop Tommy
Thevenow was not only the star of
the st. Louis Cardinals in its fight
for the pennant but the hero Of the
world series as we'll A broken leg
put him out OF tho running in the
middle of this season.
In an effort to fill the bill, George
Toporcer, the bespectaled utility
man. was sent into the lineu to take
TheVenow's position. The breaks
We're against him and in practically
every game that he erred it cost the
Cardinals the decision.
In desperation, the Cardinal man.
agement called on Hcinie Soluble
starring at short for Danville. in the
Thrc"-Eye league. a team owned by
the s.. Louis Nationals.
Asking a 19-year-old youngster, in
his second year as professional. to
take Ttevenow's place was a mighty
big task, but he has responded
courageously to the dire emergency
1t will be another miracle II he
delivers as did Joe Sewell and makes
possible a second pennant for the
Cardinals
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