Evening star., 1944-12-28
Tops A. |. Gardeners
In Double KILLINGS;
Club Runs Last

Tight defensive play was fea-
ture OF the American Leagues 1914
baseball season, official statistics
reveal until figures for the Wash
ington club are reached. The Mats
afield wound up last, just as they
did in league standings, with an
average of 1854, 10 points behind
Cleveland's Indians and New York's
Yankees, tied at the top with .974,
and seven points under the leagues
general average of .971.
But for the fine fielding per-
formances of Stan Spence, the Mats
showing would have been far worse.
Playing in $50 games, Spence with
an average of .989 was excelled
only by Thurman Tucker of Chi
cago'S White Sox with .991 for 100
games among the circuits outfield-
ers participating in 100 or more
contests.
Spence had 468 chances and made
but five errors. His total of 20 as
sists was by far the best in the
league and he led the outfielders
in taking part in double-plays, COL
laborating in nine.
Sullivan Ties Major Mark.
Johnny Sullivan, Nat shortstop,
tied the major league record for
most double-plays in one game at
his position by participating in five
as the Indians were beaten here,
to l, in the nightcap of double
header on August 13. But Sullivan,
among the poorest of the short
stops, made so errors during the
season.
One of the leagues four triple
plays was made by the Mats against
the Yanks on April 20 with First
Baseman Joe Kuhel and Second
Baseman George Myatt turning the
trick.
Among players who were in more
than 100 games, Kuhel was last Of
six first basemen, Myatt tied with
Don Gutteridge of ST. Louis cham
pion Browns for the final spot
among six second -sackers, Sullivan
was sixth of seven shortstops and
Gil Torres was fifth OF six third
basemen in fielding.
Roger Wolff, Johnny Niggeling
and Milo Candini were among
pitchers who made no errors, but
Mickey Haefner with l error in 81
chances was the real leader of the
Mats pitchers afield.
Ferrell, Guerra Far Down.
Rick Ferrell and Mickey Guerra
were far down in the catchers list.
With SO many knuckle-ball pitchers
to handle they had plenty of trouble,
Ferren being charged with 20 passed
| balls, most in the league, and 9 er-
rors and Guerra with II passed balls
and 10 errors.
The Indians Lou Boudreau broke
the league record with fielding
percentage of .978 at shortstop. He
broke the major league record for
taking part in most double plays at
short, with 1874.
George McQuinn of st. Louis was
the top first baseman with a fielding
mark of 1894 Rudy York of Detroit
broke the major league record for
participating in most double plays in
a season, with 1853. Most chances,
1,6l6, and most assists, 1873, were
tailed by Mickey Rocco of the In
dians
The second basemen were led by
George Stirnweiss of the Yanks,
with .982.
Mark Christman of the Browns
was high among the third basemen
with .972.
Haefner Keen Fielder.
Nineteen pitchers, three less than
the number in 1943, had perfect
, fielding records on the basis of 10 or
more games. Among these, Ed Lo-
pat OF the White Sox handled the
most chances. SO. Dizzy Trout Of
Detroit had more chances than any
other hurler, 119, with but four er-
rors for mark of .966.
TWO catchers shared fielding hon.
ors with .989 average: Buddy
Rosar of the Indians and Roy Par
tee of the Red Sox. Frank Hayes,
who caught in every game for Phila-
delphla, broke the major league rec
:. ord for most games played by a
: catcher in one season, 1855, and also
hung up new major league mark
!, for consecutive games caught in one
u season, 1855.