The Washington times., 1930-10-07
COBB, BAKER
ROOT FOR
PUPILS
By JOE HOLMAN

tween, Connie Mack's Philadelphia
Athletics and Gabby Streets st
Louis Red Birds draws to a
close the performances Of two
cannonading Elephants. AL Sim
mons and Jimmy Foxx. are be-
coming more and more outstand-
ing.
Baseball followers generally are
paying tribute to this pair IN
their own way. But probably
those most interested in the prog
ress Of these big berthas are their
respective tutors, Ty Cobb and
gallant old Home Run Baker.
Jimmy Foxx, whose blue rib
bon boundary belt in the ninth
period yesterday wrecked the
hopes of Burleigh Grimes and
mounted Philadelphia's advan-
tage in the annual classic to a
3-2 game margin. was brought
out and developed by Baker while
in the Eastern Shore League sew
eral years ago.
While stilI in his teens
FOxx, on Home Runs recon-
mendatiOn, was sold to Connie
Mack, sight unseen, as a
/. catcher.
Jimmy who since has shifted
to first base. has proved himself
q worthy successor to Baker in
a money sense. He is at his best
in the pinches and one Of the
most dangerous sluggers in base
ball.
Even as Foxx bears a striking
resemblance to his teacher and
predecessor, Home Run Baker,
Simmons likewise is following in
the steps of the man who, more
than any other, befriended him
in his earlier days.
Ty Cobb, who wound up his
lengthy career in an Athletic uni
form, is largely responsible for
many Of the manneriSrns and ac-
tions of Mack's touted star.
Cobb, who was fading out as a
major sensation when Simmons
was breaking in with the AS
contracted an immediate liking
for young AL And he spent many
hours teaching the youngster
tricks of the trade.
simmons, like Cobb Is
mentally alert and always
ready to take advantage of
any break coming his way.
A bic less temperamentaI,
perhaps, he nevertheless Is a
smart, accurate batslnan and
wellrOunded in every depart
ment Of the game.
Manager Walter johnson of the
Washington Club, recently went
so far as to declare that Al, in
his opinion, is the best all around
player in baseball today. Which,
coming from a shrewd judge OF
ball players, means a great deal.
So one can well pardon the old
time aces, Baker and Cobb, for
surveying with pride the progress
of their pupils Recent develop
ments have justified their con-
fidence in the present day
marvels.
Baseball writer's Of America
have paid tribute to one of their
most popular and capable friends
and associates, Bill Slocum Slo-
cum. veteran baseball writer of
the New York American, was
elected to the presidency Of that
unit by virtual acclamation
Slocum's selection by an over
whelming vote was most gratity-
ing in view of his difficulty with
Ed Barrow, New York Yankee Of
ficial last summer.
Because he objected to an
article written by SlOcum at
the time, Barrow slugged the
writer and, the latter being iii Z
at the time, was knocked out.
Barrow'S act aSc.'~Hd the indig-
nation of the entire sporting
world. And, it IS safe to say,
any such uncalled for brutality
in the future will be acted upon
by an organization which is
much more powerful than any
one front Efice man.
If rumor going the rounds
nowadays means anything it is
Just as we'll that Whataman
Shires and Hack Wilson failed
to go through with thei. boxing
bout last wiz ter The repor1
now current is that Ha2en Cuyler,
fleet Chicago Cub outfielder,
gained a fl tic decision over Will
son not so long ago.
Cuyler, by the way. stacks up
with the toughest battlers in
baseball. He is said to have won
several other veEdicts.
ARO |