The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-08-21
PITCHER OSSIE
FIRSTBASER,
F0XX AT THIRD
Connie Mack Made the Bizarre
Lineup Shift to Bring His
Team from Slump
BOTH PLAYING WELL
Mack First Used Eddie Collins
in the Outfield When Eddie
Was Only a Kid
BY BILLY EVANS


When it comes to shifting players
around the diamond with success,
you just about have to hand the old
laurel wreath ia. Connie Mack, vet
eran pilot of the Athletics.
Mack ha1 been unusually fortu-
nate in juggling his battlefront to
advantage. Take, for instance, his
most recent experiment involving
Jimmy Foxx and Ossie Orwell.
Foxx, a catcher, has been playing .
bang-up game at third base, while
Orwell, pitcher-outfielder. has
been doing equally as well at first.
Not only has the work Of Foxx
and Orwell afield been of high class,
but both have been hitting the ball
hard and often. Foxx, especially,
has been polling safeties at oppor-
tune times. No little credit for the
recent winning streak which gave
the Macks II triumphs in 10 starts
was due to the fine work Of Foxx
and Orwell, a catcher and pitcher,
filling the exacting roles at the near
and far corners Of the field
Connie has been strong for the
"shift" ever since he came to the
American league. He apparently
works on the theory that only an or.
binary performer at one position
may prove a star at another.
Perhaps one Of Mack's famous ex-
periments, if such they can be called
was the making over Of Stuffy Nc
Innis. Mc1nnis came to Connie ~
a shortstop. That was in 1909
The next year he played short
though not in a regular capacity.
Just about that time Harry Da.
Wis. veteran first sacker, and the
Babe Ruth Of his day, was beginning
to slip. Mack, looking around 70,
a capable replacement, decided te
give the ycungster, Mclnnis, whir
at the job.
The placing Of Stuffy on first
drew no little amount Of criticism
Critics opined McInnis would never
make a first baseman. He was too
small, too short of legs and arms K
snag the high and wide ones ant
scoop up the low losses, they fig
ured. In short. the elongated Mr.
Mack came in for the then not &
often used term, "razz."
But Connie knew what he wa,
about, for Stuffy not only developed
into a good first sacker, but q grea'
one. AS a fielder the game has pro
duced few, if any, superiors. A few
years back McInnis hung up tn
phenomenal record of making but on,
error an entire season, and that /
questionable one.
Mack first used Eddie Collins il
the outfield when Eddie was a greer
kid fresh from Columbia Universit.
campus. Danny Murphy was cover
ing second base for the Athletics il
those days. Then Mack gave Collin
a chance at the keystone sack where
like McInnis, he turned out to be on
Of the greatest at the post. Whel
Collins took up TIE second base job
Murphy was shifted to right field
making good with a vengeance
Thus. Mack virtually shot a pair o
birds with one missile.
Jack Barry started for Mack %
second baseman, later becoming
star of the highest magnitude Z
short. Therefore, three members o
that famous 100000 infield" wer
experiments who came through IN
der Comics crafty tutelage. Late
Barry shifted back to second ate
he hurt his throwing arm.
RUDE Oldring played his first b.
for Connie as q third sacker, late
being switched to the outfield, an
Joe Dugan, q shortstop, was mad
over into a sterling third basema
by the lean and lanky Mr.. McGill
cuddy.
Then there's Jimmy Dykes, tn
American Leagues most versatil
! player. Jimmy, q second basemal
has played all infield positions Z
well as in the outfield for the All
letics. He appears to the best a,
vantage at first, however. A pei
perry little fellow, Dykes is an il
SEPARATION to a ball club.
Mack, indeed, has had more ths
his share Of success in having b
. players make good in strange pos
tions. It just seems to be q natur
trait of his-this successful shiftir
business.