Evening star., 1941-11-04
Leading Homer
Batter Named
On All Ballots
Second, Third Places
Given Reiser, Wyott,
DoIph's Teammates
BY JUDSON BAILEY.
Associated Press Sports Writer

=
Associated Press Sports Writer.
NEW YORK. Nov. 4-The most
valuable player in the National
League this year was Adolph Louis
Camilli. the siege gun of the
Brooklyn Dodgers, a committee of
the Baseball Writer'S Association of
America announced today.
The stocky first baseman, whose
blasting bat and skillful defensive
play led the Dodgers to their first
pennant in 81 years, carried of the
highest individual honor in his
league without a contest.
OF the "a. members on the COM
mittee, 10 voted for Camilli for first
place, listed him second, and he
received vote each for third, fourth
and tenth.
He was the only player to be
named on every ballot. On the
basis Of IA points FOR first, 9 for
second, 8 for third, ETC., he received
a total of 300 points. compared with
1873 for his closest rival, Pete Reiser.
and ISL for Whltlow Wyatt. both
teammates and a.so outstanding
figures in Brooklyn's success.
Leads Loop In Homers.
Camilli led the National League
in home runs with "a. in runs batted
in with 120, and pushed the Dodgers
over many humps along the PEN
nant trail.
But his batting average was only
.285, and it is rare-almost unheard
of-for the most valuable player
award to go to a hitter below the
300 bracket. Therefore, the uni
versal recognition given Camilli was
tremendous tribute to his leader
ship and all-around play.
The 33-year-old Californian. who
owns a small ranch near Laytons-
vile, Calf, and is the proud father
of five children, is veteran of nine
years service in the National League,
and always has been considered one
of it's leading first basemen. He
batted .315 and 1899 in 1885 and
1886 for the Phillies.
When Larry MacPhail took over
command of the Dodgers in the
winter of 1867, Camilli was the
first player he purchased in assem-
bling the present ball club. Thus
"Dolf" literally was the keystone Of
Brooklyr's pennant-building.
Defensive Play Sensational. ~
Even though his percentage bat
ting this year did not measure up to
some Of his previous peaks, Camilli
had the best season in his career.
'He never before had hit more than
% homers, nor batted in more than
104 runs. His defensive play was
sensational. He speared and stabbed
and scooped all year long, pulling
down liners and gobbling up bunts
Most of all, he made phenomenal
stops of scatter arm throws from
his fellow infielders to save errors
and ball games.
There was no question in the
minds Of the committee-headed by
Tom Swope of Cincinnati and made
up of three writers from each city
in the National League-as to which
player was the most valuable and
there was more or less agreement
on the recognition given other stars
Wyatt received votes from %
committeeman, although none listed
him first. and Reiser was tabled by
%. including three for the top honor
Doic>e Rnnk;a ~ vnap
Reiser was the rookie of the yeal
in the National League. He became
the first freshman in history to wir
| a major league batting crown, and
besides hitting at a .343 clip he
also led the league in triples with
II. In doubles with 40 and total hits
with 1874.
Wyatt, a genial 32-year -old cast.
off from the American League, wa.
Brooklyn's pitching ace, with % VIC
tories and 10 defeats. Altogether
seven Dodgers were given ranking
somewhere in the voting for tht
most valuable player and five other!
were included in the honorable men,
tion list. Twelve of the st. Loui!
Cardinals received a point rating.
Riddle Gets Fifth Place.
Frank Mccormick, first basemar
of the Cincinnati Reds, who was
chosen the most valuable player ir
1910 for his help in lifting the Reds
to the world championship, did moi
receive single vote this year. But
his rookie teammate, Elmer Riddle
who topped the senior circuit pitch
ers in percentage with 10 victorie!
and 4 defeats, placed fifth.
The ranking for the players re-
ceiving 20 or more points: Camilli
300; Reiser, 1888; Wyatt. ISL; Brown
107; Riddle. SO; Ernie White, st
Louis, IT; Kirby Higbe, Brooklyn, 64
John Hopp. st. Louis, 81; John Mize
st. Louis, 48; Dixie Walker, Brook.
lyn, "a; Billy Herman, Brooklyn
27; Terry Moore, st. Louis, 26; Star
Hack, Chicago, 26; Elbie Fletcher
Pittsburgh, %, and John Cooney
Boston, 20.