The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-26
BY DANIEL NJ. DANIEL
Times Special Writer

NEW YORK, Dec. 26.-Back in
1899, when Martin Van Buren, was
President and Indian wars and
blockhouses instead of college foot
ball and stadiums bourgeoned all
over the West, Texas still was
Mexico and America just was be-
ginning to become sports conscious,
Abner Doubleday, a school boy at
Cooperstown, N. Y. invented base
ball
Doubleday, who was destined to
achieve military fame as Union
general in the Civil War, utilized
the elementary features Of Three Old
Cat, Founders and Town Hall. Con-
structing the diamond as we know
it today, Abner set out the bases,
started a series Of games between
two schools conducted by prissy old
maids, and gave TO this country its
national pastime.
In 1899, the centennial of baseball
is to be celebrated all over the
United States, and even iii far off
Japan. CooperstoWn is to be the
fountain head Of this widespread
jubilee. On the very field which saw
Doubleday and his comrades in their
first jousts at the new game, base
ball hall of fame will be dedicated.
In order to organize this parthenon
Of the diamond members Of the
Baseball Writer'S Association of
America have been asked to desig-
nate the 10 outstanding players of
the major leagues since 1900 Later
a committee of veterans will name
five luminaries Of the really ancient
era. And each year five additional
worthless will be added to the list.
Ten Selected for Honor
AS a basis for the selection Of the
Big Ten Of the past SO years, Henry
P. Edwards, secretary of the aSsO-
citation, has sent out a roster of 80
outstanding eligibles. 1t is quite OBJ
vious that this listing of the i'm
mortals of baseball has undergone
the close scrutiny of Judge Kenesaw
M Lands, VIII Harridge and Ford
F'riCk
There is one glaring omission, Hal
Chase. Thousands Of the older gen.
GRAFTON of fans rate him the great
est first baSeman baseball yet has
seen. But no vote is wanted for this
man who in 1920 was dropped from
the rolls of rhe Giants, and cast
into oblivion
The omission of Chase from the
list sent out from Chicago is the
first even semi-official pronounce
ment on the one-time star of the
Yankees, Reds and Giants. Heinie
Zimmerman and Hal were dropped
without explanation. If there is a
black list in Lands office, it never
has been admitted
Schalk Omission Surprising
Buck Weaver, third baseman of
the Black SoX of 1919, who threw
the World Series to the Reds, also
is missing. Buck apparently did
not take the bride, but seemed to
have knowledge of the plot. An
other member of the Chicago club
of 1919 who has been left off the
list is Ray Schalk. And that is most
surprising. Schalk and Eddie Col
Inns were the outstanding SoX to
whom the gamblers dared make no
ballot are Roger Bresnahan, Mickey
Cochrane and Lew Criger while
Schalk is left out in the cold.
1t will be difficult, indeed, to
make many of the voters believe
that Schalk was outranked by
Criger, and that either could catch
and hit better than Johnny Killing,
of the famous Cubs of the Tinker
to-Evers- to- Chance days. Nor will
our own Bill Dickey, Jimmy Archer,
Steve ONeill and Wallie Schang
lack for support, even if they do
not appear on the ballot.
Bresnahan Tops Catchers
There is little doubt that Bresna-
han, who not only could catch but
could hit for extra bases, and play
almost anywhere on the field, will
get great number of votes.
The ballot lists nine pitchers,
three catcherS, three first basemen, |
five second sackers, three third
basemen and eight outfielders. But
there is just a single ShortStop. He |
is Hans Wagner. The American |
League did not even bother to place |
q rival in nomination. only one |
Wagner says the official COM
munique, and that seems to make |
it unanimous. Wagner wos not only
the best shortstop baseball yet has
developed. He was the grandest of |
all the inf1elders. What Honus would |
have done with that lively ball!
Matty Is Standout
Of the nine pitchers, Christopher
MathewSon of the Giants is the one
and only standout. Unquestionably
Walter Johnson will get a lot of
votes over Matty. johnson had
greater speed. He hurled for a club
which until the sere and yellow of
his career, in 1924 not only failed to
win a pennant but usually was
poor also-ran.
But while Johnson pitched we'll
and he pitched fast, Matty was the
true beau ideal-the singer of craft
and cunning and wide repertoire.
the baseball student, and with all
that, the alluring figure of sport
romance.
johnson lands second ranking.
The writer was surprised to find
Rube Marquard on the list. To our
mind, Dazzy Vance was a greater
pitcher. So was Jack Chesbro. And |
Joe McGinnity, too, has been ig-
nored.