Evening star., 1941-07-08
Greater Power, Equal
Pitching Send Vote
To American Loop
National Conceded Edge
Only ut Short Where
Wagner Was Tops
Nv GRANTLAND RICE.


produced It's full share of all-star'
since baseball hit the highway.
Once again the summer atmos-
phere is rife with the old argumen
as to which of the two big league.
has turned out the leading quality
of stardust in the last 40 years
dating back to the day their rivalry
began
Two AlI-Time Teams.
Suppose We try an open shot al
picking two all time teams from
both leagues by way of comparison
AMERICAN LEAGUE.
Catchers
Cochrane, Dickey.
First Base.
Gehrig Slsler.
Second Base.
La lole. Collins.
Third Base.
Weaver Bradley.
Shortstop.
ApphnE Barry.
Outfeld
Cobb. Ruth, Speaker. Jackson.
Pitchers.
Johnson, Walsh. wsdde Grove.
NATIONAL LEAGUE.
Hsrtnett, Bresnahan.
First Base.
Terry Chance.
Second Base
FrlSch. Hornsby.
Third Base.
Jimmy Collins DeYlin.
Shortstop.
Wagner Tinker.
outfed
= Clarke. Sheckard Donlln. Pep Young.
Pitchers.
Mstheuson, Alexander, Brown, HubbtH,
American League Leads.
If the pick of these two teams
ever met the odds would belong to
the American League which carries
the greater power and Just as mucn
pitching defense. The American
League has big outfield margin in
Cobb, Ruth. Speaker and Jackson.
The only all-time so far, spot the
National League would be certain
to crash is at shortstop, where
Honus Wagner still stands alone
with no one close. For all-around
ability he was the best infielder of
all time and it was for this reason
that John McGraW named him as
the greatest ball player. McGraW's
angle was that a great infelder had
a big edge over a great outfelder
with so many more chances to
handle in the course of campaign.
The two catching stats would be
we'll balanced The American
League with Gehrig and Sisler, or
Hal Chase. would have the edge at
first. Also at second, although
FriSch and Hornsby are not so far
away. All in all the A. L. should
have the infield call.
Johnson Hardest to Beat.
The reason Cy Young isn't picked
on either team is that big Cy worked
In both leagues for many years.
Otherwise, the Paoli Phenom would
be around the top. The same is
true of Jack Chesbro, another pitch
ing star in the 40-game class.
There isn't much choice to make
when you move out to the mound
and survey the two groups. John
son would be the hardest to beat,
picked IN his prime. But also in
their primes Matty and Alexander
could do bit of curbing on their
own.
Bob Feller could be named on the
A. l.. side, but preference Is given to
those who worked a greater number
Of pennant seasons For that mat
ter. we could add Dizzy Dean to the
n. l., lineup without doing the N. l.
any harm. Ole Diz in his peak days
was one of the beSt-a great pitcher
and great competitor.
Pitching Tops Hitting.
In clash or crash of this type.
would the hitting or the pitching be
the dominating factor?
Suppose Matty or Alexander had
to face Cobb, Ruth, Speaker, Geh-
rig. Lajoie. Weaver, etc?
Or Johnson and Walsh had to
stop Hartnett, Hornsby, Wagner,
Terry and the others?
Well still string with the pitching
aide.
Suppose one had to make le4l
lineup from the two casts assem-
bled at Detroit for the annual
splurge? Which league would get
the call, not for one game. but for
many games?
Current AlI-Star Team.
Here's our pick, and let the chips
and quips fall where they may:
Catcher-BilI Dickey "A. Ll.
P1tchers~Feller A. L. walters IN. L..
berrinRer IN. L.. Wyatt IN L.
First base-Mze IN L..
Second base-Ciordon "a L.,
Third base-Hack IN L.
>shortstop-Appling "A. L., Vaughan
outheld-Di Magsio "A. L.. Williams "A.
l., Reiser IN. L..
OF the 13 selections made. the Ma
tional League draws seven nominees
against six for the American. This
is largely due to a greater number
Of pitching stars. With a few ex-
ceptlons, American League pitching
has been a number of leagues below
the sea level of other years. Feller
alone is the sure entry to pass the
2O-game mark on the winning side.
The N. L. has several who should
carry their packs beyond the Great
Divide
North American Newspaper Allianee)