New Britain herald., 1928-08-16
BY HENRY l.. FARRELL (NEA Service Sports Writer)


 There is no one name that sug- gests itself immediately when can didates are being considered for the National leagues most valuable player prize. As is the case in the league there are a num- Der of factors to be considered and the contest is certain to be close.
 Last year in neck and neck race, the prize was awarded to Paul Waner, the brilliant young out fielder of the champion Pittsburgh Pirates, but his margin was only six points over the totatl of 66 that was polled for Frank Trisch, the dashing second baseman of the St. Louis Cardinals.
 It isn't often that great ball play CTS have two great seasons right in succession, but it is the case with Waner and l'risch, who are promi- nent candidates again. Frisch has the added luster of a major part in a spectacular pennant race, but Waner has been handicapped by a role with a disappointing and rather discredited team.
 Both the Cardinals and the Pi- rates, however, have more spectacu- lar candidates in the contest. The Cardinals have Jim Bottomley and Jimmy Wilson and the Pirates pre- sent Burleigh Grimes, the greatest pitcher of the year.
 The field in the running for the prize probably will be reduced to Bottomley, Wilson, Grimes, Fred Lindstrum and Larry Benton and of these five our favorite is Grimes.
 There is no question that Freddy Lindstrum has been one of the out standing players of the season. He IS a great young ball player and he has had great part in keeping the Giants in the race for the pen nant. But the twenty or twenty five games that Benton may turr in for McGraw's team also will bs a major contribution. And how car It be determined which of these two stars could have been spared less The same factors have 10 be con sldered in the cases of Jim Bottom ley and Jimmy Wilson. Rottomle, l has been most valuable player il St. Louis for 8 number Of years He has everything that goes t, make winning player. But tn 1 players on other teams are inclined to give q great deal of credit t, Jimmy Wilson's great work benin, the bat. They think he has beel l just as valuable to the team as Bol i O'Farrell was when he was awardc, the prize and the team has beel !! playing winning ball consistent since Wilson came from the Phille and plugged up a vital hole in tn catching staff
 But if there is any reward fo spirit, industry and courage tn prize should go to Burleigh Grimes who, almost single handed has kep the Pirates from being totally dis graced in the National league.
 Grimes. in his fifteenth year c baseball is having the greatest sea son of his career. He may wi thirty games before the seaso closes. He has pitched in turn an out of turn and has complaine that he hasn't been given enoug work. Suppose he had not bee kicked off the New York club? Tn Giants would be in now farthe than the Yankees looked to be
 few weeks ago. Supposng he WE not with the Pirates? The chan pions might be crowdlng the Phi lies.
 The valuable players on the otht clubs will suffer in comparison wit the distinguished players on tf clubs in the pennant race. Hugh Critz. the great second baseman ( the Cincinnati Reds. deserves l. of votes. If the Reds would wi the pennant he probably would heavy favorite in the contest.
 Riggs Stephenson is another or of the most immensely valuab players who doesn't command u spotlight. The Chicago fans kno how valuable he is, but the GU toners in the other cities he; more of Hack Wilson. Gabby liar nett and others.
 | Frcsco Thompson, brlllla young player, is lost with the Phi lies although he plays his head C day after day and would be an ou standing star with a winning clu Del Bissonette, the crashing fir baseman of the Brooklyn Robir would also have d top place on Il ticket if he was with one of &l
 higher ranking clubs.