The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-08-08
KNICKERBOCKER TAKES PLACE
WITH STARS IN INDIAN LINEUP
Took Time to Hit Stride But
Now ls Rated 40 One OF
Greatest Shortstops'

Cleveland, Aug. 3. - NEA) - He
slept under the grandstand In the
Mudhen's park ct Toledo until he
proved to that American Association
outfit that he could play ball: he
stuck to his guns while Cleveland
fans howled for his scalp early this
year until he hit q stride that marks
him rs probably the greatest shoTtstop
in the game today.
The gent to whom this corner Is
handing the bouquet Is william Hart
Knickerbocker. 23-year-old sensation
Of the Cleveland Indians.
There are those loyal sports fans
who still stick to Joe Cronin, now
begged down with managerial wor-
ries, Is the last word at short, and
others swear by Arky Vaughan Of the
Pirates, Dick Bartell Of the Phillies,
and Bill Rogell Of the Tigers. But
this California kid is two words later
than the last one In shortstop after
only . year and half Of serving time
in the Big House.
Don't take our word for It. There's
Mickey Cochrane, Tiger manager, who
has reason to think Bill Is good, espe-
cially since he has been poison to De-
troit oil year.
"Knickerbocker has turned out to
be fine shortstop, and he Is q much
responsible as any other player for
Cleveland's position In the present
race" the Mick tells us. II never saw
such sudden and remarkable improve
ment In . player 8 I have In young
Knick.'
Greatest Prospect
Such praise, considering that source,
is q pretty nice accommodates for
little Willie. But Cochrane's boost Is
mediocre alongside the opinions Of
Billy Evans, general manager, and
Walter johnson, manager Of the In
6ians. Both men, sages Of baseball,
believe Knick to be the greatest short
stop prospect to hit tho Forest City
squad since cotton Top" Terry Tur-
ner teamed up with Nap Lajoie to
form one Of the greatest center com.
binations m infield ever boosted.
Unlike . lot Of other ball players
who bloomed in their first year up
and Topped into oblivion In their
second year. Bill has worked the other
way around.
In 1888, after coming from Toledo
with 4 new two-base hit record Of o
and boosted Is fielding wonder, the
youngster couldn't find himself. His
play ct short was irregular, since he
alternated with Johnny Burnett for .
while. He slumped in his hitting. and
his fielding suffered.
Needed Seaaenlng
The rap then circulated. Fans
howled ct Walter Johnson for playing
/ the kid. But Johnson kept him In
there, knowing that seasoning under
fife was just what the boy needed.
AZ late g this spring, Willie gave
no indication Of hts promised great
ness. His work With the stick on the
spring training tour was Is weak g
turniped horseradish, and he turned
into . slovenly infielder.
But the minute the season started.
50 did Knick. He took the lead ia
batting among his mates, and his Inn
proved form on the field WAS remark
able. Just now he IS macing around
.3l6, or more than any other major
league shortstop, and he's pulling
fielding stunts that some Of the rest
Of the boys never heard Of.
This corner has seen Knick Ia &C.
ton several times, and what We have
seen Of his throwing arm gives rise to
the modest opinion that its probably
the best in any major league infield.
He has . peculiar snap throw from
any position that enables him 70 get
the ball away with no lost motion, and
we'll wager he can cover more outfield
territoFy than any Of the other boys.
Added 70 Ill his physical qualifica-
lions, Knick has head on his shoul-
ders that knows BASEBALL.
Good field, good hit, good head -
what more DO you want?
| zeke Donura, White 0o3-Wt two
doubles, scored one run and drove u