Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20


never wanted to stand around and look
on. I looked the fellows over as they
performed, and I admit that I figured
the shortstop Job was no place for me.
Because there was Corhan, who had
been bought at big price from San
Francisco and was rated as the best
new shortstop in the game. No one
heard Of me. was just a busher from
Texas.
looked at the other infielders in
action, because I decided would have
to beat one of them out Of Job II I
was to make good that year. Jack
Miller, who had been a star at Pitts
burgh, was playing sometimes at hrst
and sometimes at second. Butler IS
another fellow ! remember who had
been a regular Those fellows were be-
ginning to slow up. an / decided that
in time I might replace one OF them.
But I didn't want to wait
Anyway, I passed up the shortstop
Job to Corhan, and whenever saw one
of the regulars at second or third take
off his glove and quit practice rushed
to the spot and took his place, whether
Manager Higgins or Bob Connery asked
me to or not. was determined to get
in, and 1t wasn't all because Of my de-
sire to make good. 1t was largely be-
cause I could have so much fun playing.
didn't think of it at the time, but
my eagernesS to play made an impress
sion on the manager and on the old
timers of the club.
In those days, much more than now,
a rookie was showed aside by the big
leaguers If he was timid or II he was
too fresh. 1t was no place for timid
youngster He would be called a yellow
dog by some one before he had been
with the team two days. And II he
was fresh and tried to make wise cracks
he was sure TO make plenty Of trouble
for himself. didn't know anything
about those things, but 1 watched for
chances and hoped right in If any one
else left an opening. 1t simply was be-
cause I wanted to get IN there and
have fun.
When the regulars were having bat
ting practice always was around that
plate with q bat In my hands. And II
some regular failed to notice 1t was his
turn to hit, would jump right in and
have a crack at the ball before he got
there. The fellows didn't appear to
think this was freshness. They seemed
to know was just eager to play ball.
remember. Jack Miller took a~spe-
eial interest in me. Once, after had
been hitting, he called me aside.
Loosen up uIGle, klu, ne Salo, IN
. nice way. You're all frightened up.
Hold the bat loose while you're watch
| ing the pitcher deliver, and then put
the old grip on it just as you smack
the ball. No use gripping it any other
time" n ~
I liked Miller for his kindly interest,
and lost no opportunity to pal around
with him. He always was talking base
ball. Sometimes had a chance to
work with him in the infield, and he
! took pains to show me the way to pivot
in making double plays. and how to
play the ball instead of letting the ball
play me.
Get the ball before you throw It,"
he used to yell, when had booted one
in trying to make haste.
He showed me things about base run
ming, too-how to geo lead on the
pitcher and how to eide and avoid
being tagged. He even gave me ideas
on things he couldn't do himself I
tried EN- all, and know got results
on some Of them In later years.
Next-Pitchers Hornsby Has Faced.