Evening star., 1942-08-04
Hitting Ability Rated
Gehrig, SisIer Spot
AT Top With Hal
Team Value Was Greater,
But Neither Matched
Marvel Around Base
by GRANTLAND RICE,

Special Correspondent Of The Star.
When illness brought Hal Chase
back to the headlines in Oakland,
Calf, 1t also brought back one of
the warmest arguments in baseball.
Who should be the games all-time
1irst baseman? .-.
In the course of the last 40 years
there have been three outstanding
stars who have taken the lead. They
are Hal Chase, George Sisler and
Lou Gehrig.
There have been other high-class
Workmen such as Frank Chance of
the Cubs and Stuffy McInnis of the
Athletics. two OF the best. But
Chase. Sisler and Gehrig have re-
ceived most of the votes cast in this
first basing poll.
Hal Chase never had the batting
power that Gehrig and Sisler knew.
He was no home run maker of the
Gehrig type, nor any 400 hitter OF
the Sisler order. But as defensive
first baseman he stood alone. Hal
could make plays around first base
that no other ball player would
even try to make.
Chase Starred From Start.
I saw him play the first day he
Joined Griffith's Highlanders in
Atlanta over IS years ago. One OF
the first plays he made proved his
place. There was runner on
second with no one out. The next
man bunted toward first. In place
Of taking the throw, Chase was on
top of the ball like a flash for the
out at third, and it wasn't fast
bunt.
Chase had an amazing pair Of
hands. They were chained or un-
chained lightning. No matter how
badly the ball bounded, Hal always
had . hand In the right spot. In
this respect he was q sleight-of-
hand man.
On spring training trip through
the South we were walking along
some street when Hal stopped in
front Of 4 fruit stand. He carried
on some sort of conversation with
the man in charge and then started
On his way.
After walking q block he handed
me two oranges, a banana and an
apple. which he had lifted in front
OF the dealers eyes. Standing at
his side never had seen him make
motion with either hand.
Hal Had Trixrer Brain.
Chase also had a trigger brain.
His reflexes were on the split in
slant.
For one thing, he always thought
ahead Of the play. He sensed in
advance just about what would take
place and he had the starting speed
and the dexterity to carry on
through. I've seen him make per-
feet plays 20 rapidly that one Of his
own inhelders would be caught be-
hind. unable to reach the bag in
time to handle the throw.
In addition to all this, he was the
only infielder I ever saw who in
grace and ease compared to Larry
lAjoie.
Lajoie could make the toughest
ooft Of chance look . simple mat
ter. 30 could Chase. He was loose,
1.-THE and never under any form Of
tension.
Chase at frst base was the top
artist Of the tribe.
George sisler and Lou Gehrig
could be given the call over Chase
through their added value with the
fun.maktng mace. Hal couldn't hit
close to either, although he led the
National League at bat one season.
SisIer. Gehrig Had Team Value.
eisler moved up above the 400 class
more than once. The Brownie star
was one Of the best hitters of all
time and also one of the best of all
hrst basemen. To this you could
add his value as base runner.
Gehrig, . fine first baseman, was
the power man of the leading trio.
Lou was the big run-maker of the
lot. The fact that he played in
more than 1000 consecutive games
also must be counted in. Durability
still is q highly important asset.
In ranking the three, If you are
naming only the best first baseman
without considering the offensive
side, Chase is far in front. If you
are combining both defense and Of
fensive strength, which means team
value, you can look to Sisler or
Gehrig. After all. 1t Is team value
that tells the story.
But In the art of handling his job
around the bag, there has been only
one Hal Chase. The combination
Of his trigger brain and his double
lightning hands won't come along
In our time.
North American Newspaper Aliancel