The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-16
-THEY PLAYED THE GAME NO. go
Comiskey RevoIutionized The
Style o. Play At First Bose;
He improved Other Positions
Thirty-ninth of a series
BY HARRY GRAYSON
(NEA Sports Editor

Charles Albert Comiskey is re-
membered by present day fans as
the builder of the Chicago White
Sox. The Old Roman, for 80 years
the most prominent owner in base
ball, was a tremendous figure in the
founding of the game represented
by the two major leagues.
But Charley Comiskey did even
more for baseball as a player
Veterans who saw them all de
clare that he was the most skillful
fielding first baseman.
Originally pitcher, when the
ball had to be thrown underhand
at a distance of some Is feet shorter
than it is now, Comiskey, while
with an independent team in Du-
buque as early as 1880, revolt
tionized the playing of baseball.
Even then the strain of his fast
ball was beginning to tell on the
right arm of the tall Chicago
youngster who was Charley Co
miskey. The first base job was
open, and in it Commy saw unlim-
tied possibilities. Until then the
first sacker anchored himself to the
bag. was of no Importance in the
defensive way. He was just some
one to throw the ball to-
Encouraged by Ted Sullivan,
then managing end pitching for the
Debuque Rabbits, Comiskey played
far off and back of the bag, helped
the second baseman, cut off many
hits.
PITCHERS COVER FIRST BASE
Fielding a hot grounder that for
merly went as hit was one thing,
however, and getting back to first
base ahead of the runner was an
other. So Comiskey grasped the
idea that the pitcher could cover
first base. Pitchers have been do
ing this ever since.
Comiskey is credited with having
improved the play at every position
He was first to make a study of bat
ters and to move infielders and out
fielders to meet the different styles
of nitterS
Comiskey moved to St Louis ir
1882 after the Dubuque Rabbits haC
appeared there the previous sum-
mer was made manager in "a. With
the fabulous Chris Won Der Abe own
er and Der Poss of Der Browns, Co.
miskey won four straight American
Association pennants in 1885 81
88, beat Cap Anson's Wanted Chi
cago White Stockings in what pas
SEQ for the World Series the first
two years, on a winner take-all
basis the last trip.
After the Browns of 81 lost the
World Series to the remarkable De-
troit Nationals of that year, Won
Der Abe began selling his stars,
but Comiskey had enough to repeat
the following year.
Comiskey jumped to the Chicago
club of the Players Brotherhood
League in go, played on the site of
the present Comiskey Park. When
the Players wheel broke up Commy
returned to Won Der Abe and St.
Louis for a year.
COMISKEY FLASH ON BAGS
The consolidation of the National
League and American Association in
'92 sent him to Cincinnati, where he
remained until he became owner Of
the st. Paul club of the Western
League in '95.
ComiSkey left lifetime batting
average of no more than .269, but in
at least one year-'87-- his work at
the plate matched his brilliance in
the field and on the bases. He bat
ted 1868 as the Browns swept to their
third straight flag, stole 122 bases
He could move on the haSsocks,
SWiped II in '88, II in SO
Comiskey returned to his native
Chicago to gain affluence when the
American League stuck out its chest
following the turn of the century.
The American League couldn t
miss being success with fighters
like Byron Bancroft Johnson and
Cborlac A 1hart Conickay