The Washington times., 1929-03-27
SHORTSTOPS HANDICAPPED AT BAT''-MYE
AF|EL[l
AFFECTS
HIT TING

NIL I|IVU
BY Times staff Correspondent
TAMPA, Fla, March 27.+
Your average shOrtstop auto
matically sacrifices - per
cent at the bat! This is the
claim of Charles Solomon
("Buddy') Myer, present hot
corner guardian of the Wash
ington club.
"Mv estimate is a conservative one,
too" Buddy believes. THE energy
required of shortfielder cannot
help but affect him extensively.
Myer frankly admits there are ex-
ceptions at this position as we'll as
any other.
Gone cannot question. for
instance, the clOuting power OF
Hans Wagner, the "FIying
Dutchmam," who for years made
baseball history" he reasons.
"Also Cleveland has shown two
stout hitters in Joe SeWell and the
late Ray Chapman who could SOCK
robustly while playing good de-
fensive ball. On the other hand,
though" he advises, consider Rab-
bit Maranville, Everett Scott, Roger
PeckinpauGh, Art Fletcher, Walter
Gerber and several others l might
mention.
Have any of the lot ever con-
nected consistently for 300? Yet
all are masters of their position
While on the subject it might be
advisable to discuss the case OF
Buddy himself, who crashed the big
show as shortfielder. Il always was
natural hitter" Myer declares
land this more than anything else,
gained me my chance in the big
show.
81 later learned. though,
that I never was meant to play
ehortstOp. l got by at that job
with New Orleans in the South
ern Association during 1928
largely because Of my ability
to hit around $3.50.
"Reporting with the Griffmen
during the latter part of that sea"
son, I continued patrolling the
shortfield through 1925 but gradu-
ally l found myself slipping. AFTER
participating in the world series
nv first season up. I still managed
to clout around the 800 mark. but
was unable to cover my territory as
! should.
"My tendency to hurry on plays
not only hampered me defensivelY
hut also denied rne of the punch
naturally possessed. l say this
despite the fact that in 1926 | hat
ted over 800 with the Griffmen.
"Realizing that my hitting really
was my meal ticket" BUDDY S3Ns'
"I gradually became oversnX1ous. l
realized that in order to properly
patrol my position it would be
necessary to sacrifice that punch.
and I never figured I'd be gooh
enough to depend on my defensive
play.
"Bucky Harris still had faith
IN me. though. Let me say
right here that l never played
for finer fellow.
"When I failed to get started IN
1927 he kept waiting and hoping.
but after l had failed to deliver he
shifted me to Boston in exchange
for Topper" Rigney. a veteran
shortstop in an attempt to keep his
club in the championship running.
Mver was deeply disappointed
fn tho Rcd SOY
and admits AS much. At the same
time he openly resents reports
stating that friction between him
self and Harris caused his dis
missal.
THAT'S the siIIiest thing I've
ever heard" he maintains.
"Bucky gave me every chance.
was sent to Boston because
I wasn't a shOrtStOp and Harris
needed one.
"Didn't he give me a chance in
the world series when / was still
n. busher? Furthermore, if he had
been in position to experiment
I believe Rucky even then would
have shifted me to the hot corner.
and Rluege to- Shortstop, hui The
manager OF pennant contender
has no time for second guessing.
Reporting to the Red SOX. MHer
Immediately was sent TO third base
by Carrigan. At first. he admits.
the change bothered him. but he
gradually found himself picking up.
Even when closed the season
with hating mark ranging around
$50, the lowest had ever rc-
quired felt | had found myself.
he confesses.
THE truth of this belief. l think,
was proved during 1925 when | was
fortunate enough to have my best
year
Whereas prev iOuSly had
started the season at ShOrtstOp,
Bill Carrigan kept me on the
hot corner and my work inn
proved accordingly.
"My hitting mounted to some
thing like 1916 while | . also was
able to make use of my speed.
! found defensive work not nearly
so intricate as had previously been
the case and naturally my all
around value was increased"
Leading the league in base steal
ing. hitting opportunelv and field.
ing his position capably, Myer. in
short developed into one Of last
much was proved when President
winter traded five ball players to
br!ng him back to the Griffmen
this season.