Evening star., 1937-08-24
Hartne D Mag Rated Top Majors Pinned for Inland Tou,
TWO HELD milne
FOR 1887 AWARDS
Catcher Snarkp|ug of Cubs,
Yank Star Is Best Since
Speaker, Says Powers.
BY FRANCIS J. POWERS.

b1 nANClS y. fOWEhS.
~ H1CAGO, August 24.-Some
time between now and then,
press box experts will settle
~ down with their pencils-after
borrowing fresh one from the tele-
graph operator-and select the most
valuable major league players Of the
season. l can save the experts their
good time by making and closing the
nominations right now. Just choose
Hartnett of the Cubs and Joe Di Mag
Rio OF the Yankees and call it quits; !;
the dissenting votes won't be worth
counting.
There can't be much argument
on Hartnett's worth to the Cubs
Bouncing on to 81 years, 16 of which
have been spent in the National
League, Gabby is a better catcher
than at any time since he made a
mask and shin guards the family
coat of arms. He's hitting close to
400 and may be the first catcher in
modern major league ball to climb
that percentage. AS a handler OF
pitchers, he has no peer. and there
still is lot Of gun cotton left in his
big arm.
Twice Fights Of Retirement.
THAT does not tell the whole story
of Gabby's value to the Cubs. AS
captain he directs the club on the
field, and when Charley Grimm was
"a rfr ratf
spelled as manager with fine success
Hartnett is one of those never quit
until the last guy is out in the ninth"
and his enthusiasm and aggressiveness
kept the Cubs marching forward when
the team was riddled with injuries
The only change in Hartnett always
has been for the better and the Cubs
would be lost without him.
Twice Gabby has come back from
the edge of major league oblivion. In
1929 his right arm went so dead he
could participate only as a pinch hit
ter and early this season they counted
him out again when his whip became
kinked Both times he proved the
superiority of Irish grit over muscles
to regain his pristine form. Some day
Hartnett likely will manage the Cubs,
but this season hes the clubs greatest
asset.
Di Mag All-Around Star.
THERE may be more argument
about Di Maggie. Some will pre-
fer Lou Gehrig. And Bill Dickey may
get a smattering vote, but III 90 along
with Giuseppe. Has there ever been a
sophomore player with greater per-
formance? Pardon me If am una BILE
to recall a single one.
Di Maggie Is leading the American
League in home runs and he's chal-
lenging for the batting championship
He was sensational AS freshman
for living up to California's advance
notices. if nothing more-but his i'm
provement this season has been so re-
markable he must be named as the
outstanding player Joe not only is a
great batsman. but also a great out
fielder. And you cannot dig up his
equal in center field unless it's Brother
Vincent of the Braves.
I'll 60 so far as to say that. for all
around ability, Di Maggie is the great
est player since Speaker. Others could
hit as well or better. and others-but
very few-could match him in the
field But at bat and afield, he's out
there alone The Yankees probably
would have won the pennant with a
lesser player, but Giuseppe certainly
made their task lot easier.
So III pick Hartnett and Di Maggie
for the valuable player awards and sit
back until the jury comes in. II the
jury disagrees, I'll petition Judge Lam
dis to call 1t a mistrial.