The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-07-04
CRAMER RATES
AMONG GREATS
Of GAM
D. FRANK BUCK" ONELL
Times staff Writer


The old order in baseball is chang
ing again as youth demands its
place in the sun. Two years ago
Il you were asked to name the
best center fielder in the Ameri'
nan League, there would be ris
ing, and practically unanimous
vote in favor of AL Simmons, the
powerful Pole of the White Sox
Sentiment is shifting now as the
fears roll along, and several play
erS younger in service or in years
than Simmons challenge the hold
Of the veterans.
''WhO is the best center fielder
In the American League? Your
agent asked a 2O-year veteran
Of the diamond as we sat in the
press stand at Fenway Park and
watched the GriffS battle the
Red SOx.
"WelI, we would have to take
into consideration the park on
which he would play" came the
somewhat surprising condition.
"In Cleveland I would say that
AverilI would be indispensable.
That short fence favOrs his hit
ting and he lacks little as a
fielder.
eff / were selecting a center
fielder to play in Boston 1 would
pick Roger Cramer, of the Ath-
letics. Cramer is a great ball
player, in my opinion. He has
range defensively and is a line
drive hitter, which would be i'm.
pOrtant in this field. The fence
here, a few degrees off the foul
line is 4O2 feet from the plate.
A line drive hitter would be an
important element in your at
tack. In Cleveland you need the
Howitzer type of hitter, one who
gets elevation and sufficient
distance to clear the fence.
"All that MelO Armada needs
to rank with the best is just a
little more experience, con-
tinued the veteran. "Almada is
q strong hitter and a graceful
fielder. He can throw and his
judgment on plays is unusually
sound for a youth of his limited
experience.
Chapman, of the Yankees,
hardly come under the head Of
youngsters, but he embOdies all
the qualifications of a high
grade Outfielder. jake Powell
of Washington, is another young
Ster Of promise. Powell might
be a bit more agile mentally,
but he will improve, in all prob
ability.
at doesn't take the good ones
long to climb to their peak.
The records show that most of
them achieve greatness in five
years. Those who don't come
along in that time, just remain
ball players"
While the tanning bee was in
progress Edward T. Collins pulled
up a chair and started cutting up
old touches. The wide world
knows that Eddie Collins ranks
with the greatest and the smartest
Of all ball players, but Collins
once overlooked a chance to make
a triple play unassisted. He has
been kicking himself ever since.
81 was with the White SOx at
the time" Collins said. 1--WE
were playing the St. Louis
Browns and they had men on
first and second. 1 recall that
Marty McManus was on first and
Pat Collins was the hitter. / do
not recall the man who was on
second at the time.
collins hit a line drive to
me-" continued Eddie. "The ball
broke through my glove and
struck on the heel of my hand,
bouncing partly back Of my
glove. made a second grab
and stepped on second base. Nc
ManuS was running, and 1 could
have tagged him if I had had
time to think. But 1 knew 1
. had almost lost the ball, and I
didn't want to lose the play. I
threw to Earl Shelly, and to get
the ball to him I had to arch it
over McManus' shoulder.
when I realized the Oppor-
tunity I had missed, 1 naturally
was angry with myself.
Strangely enough, Pat Collins
shared my emotion. He ran
over to me and exclaimed:
why in the hell didn't you
tag McManuS? You had an
unasSisted triple play, SO you
did
"There was nothing to say
in reply and 1 just kept quiet.
But I've never stopped kicking
myself"
The chat turned to some of
the old players and Collins told
q story of Smead jolly, the hard
hitting outfielder who could muff
more flies than tanglefoot could
catch.
ut was when we had that
bank in left field" said Collins.
81 to- JOlley that if a ball
were hit, for him to run up
the bank, turn and then if the
ball didn't carry that far, to
turn and come down for his
play.
"Well one day the wind was
blowing in from left field to-
ward the plate. A ball was hit
and JOlley started up the bank.
The wind held the ball back,
eA.-.E - q